Conference

From left to right: Jack Blacksmith, CREECO; Vicki Manuel, Kamloops Indian Band; Louis Joe Bernard; and Byron LeClair, Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation

It is important for the hard work of Economic Developers to get the recognition that they deserve. Their commitment and dedication to improving the communities that they work in often gets little recognition. CANDO took notice of these hard working Economic Developers at the 15th National Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting in Montreal. There were three categories at this year’s conference that included Individual Economic Development Officer, Community and Aboriginal Private Sector Business. Thank you to all of this year’s nominees as they are all deserving of praise and recognition for their contributions to improving the economic conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada.

The Individual Economic Developer of the Year winner was Louis Joe Bernard with the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. He has worked as an Economic Development Officer for over 9 years at one of the regional Aboriginal Capital Corporations and has made many contacts over the years. He has sat on different boards and is constantly contributing to the advancement of his people. Bernard has received his Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer Certification and is currently enrolled in the MBA Program at Cape Breton University.

Kamloops Indian Band from British Columbia was the recipient of the Community Economic Developer of the Year Award. Also known as, the Tk’emlups Indian Band, Kamloops Indian Band has 1,079 members. It is 1 of the 17 bands composing the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation. The band’s reserve is located in South Central British Columbia and abuts the city of Kamloops (population 82,000). The Band has strengthened their community with childcare, education and health care facilities as well as other initiatives, and infrastructure. Businesses that Kamloops Indian Band has undertaken are; Tk’emlups Petroleum, Mt Paul Industrial Park, Sun Rivers Golf Resort, Spiyu7ullucw (“Spew-lick”) Ranch, Tk’emlups Forestry Corporation, Chief Louie Centre Landing, and the 7 Mile Business Park. If that’s not impressive enough they have created approximately 200 direct jobs and over $200 million in regional economic activity. They also pioneered the development of Indian property taxation authority.

The Aboriginal Private Sector Business Award went to Cree Regional Economic Enterprises Company also known as CREECO from Quebec. Founded in 1982 CREECO acts as a holding company for investments, construction, aircrafts, ground and air traffic fueling, and catering services for the Cree Nation of Quebec. The company has done well and now has revenues in access of $180 million dollars. Throughout the year the company holds a Cree employment rate of 50%. They also actively seek off reserve opportunities that benefit them as a company.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to this year’s Economic Developer of the Year Recognition recipient in the Community Category - Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation, ON represented at the conference by Byron LeClair. They have an “entrepreneurial spirit and determination to build the kind of community where people are proud to raise healthy and happy families”, as stated on the nomination form. Some of their initiatives include Black River Hydro Project, Kagiano Hydro Project, Logging, firefighting, Cable, Internet, Summer Student Employment Program, Mining Services Contract, and Wind Power Development.

Please nominate someone in your community or area that deserves recognition. They will have the opportunity to receive an award at next year’s 16th Annual National Conference and AGM in Enoch, Alberta.

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