Turtle Island Native Network 2003 Business News Briefs

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Turtle Island Native Network 2003 Business News Briefs

News and Comment
Copyright
by Tehaliwaskenhas - Bob Kennedy
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

December 2, 2003 - First Nations getting a piece of the natural resource pie and economic benefits, comes in many forms these days . . . for example in British Columbia, where several First Nations are harvesting timber that was burned during the summer's fierce forest fires. The Westbank First Nation will benefit from an agreement to salvage fire-damaged timber. About 30 per cent of the wood burned in this summer’s fires is of merchantable quality for high-grade construction products. Last month, the province signed an agreement with the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Little Shuswap Indian Band to salvage over one million cubic metres of burnt timber in the Kamloops area. Under the agreement signed this week, the Westbank First Nation will be invited to apply for a non-replaceable forest licence for 100,000 cubic metres of timber damaged in this summer’s wildfires in the Okanagan timber supply area. Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation said, - -Access to wood is critical for First Nations in British Columbia. The fire-damaged timber from the Okanagan Mountain Park fire is fully within the Okanagan traditional territory and is part of the Westbank First Nation’s claim to resources. The economic benefits from the timber extraction will flow through to not only Westbank First Nation, but to the non-native forestry sector as well.- - The Westbank First Nation played a vital role in helping to fight this summer’s forest fires – volunteering their land to house forest fire fighters.

The Fort Nelson First Nation entered into a historic agreement with Ensign Drilling and became the first British Columbia aboriginal community to own and operate a oil and gas drilling rig. The innovative partnership gives the Fort Nelson First Nation a 50 percent interest in an $8 million rig. The joint venture is expected to bring opportunity, jobs, training and expanded business expertise to the Fort Nelson First Nation. Liz Logan, Chief of the Fort Nelson First Nation said, - -This rig represents the building of a foundation for us - a foundation for future opportunities and benefits for our community.- - The rig was named Eht'oni /Eh-toe nay/, which means arrow in Dene, by Chalo school students. Eht'oni will remain in Fort Nelson allowing the community to develop a sense of ownership and pride in their new venture. The First Nation will be able to share with the industry their traditional knowledge of the land in return. industry can reciprocate with their knowledge of oil and gas drilling. Ensign will manage the rig on behalf of the Fort Nelson First Nation. The partnership will create 20 direct jobs and 50 indirect jobs in the northern BC First Nation community.

November 28, 2003 - More transparency for First Nations gaming operations - placing them under an accountability microscope in Manitoba. Tim Sale, minister responsible for the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission introduced proposed legislation that would increase transparency and accountability for gaming operations and enhance the role of the Commission in regulating gaming in the province.Last spring, the auditor general released a report on First Nations gaming in Manitoba that made several recommendations for the authority of the MGCC over gaming in the province. The report specifically recommended that the MGCC's authority be expanded to audit and inspect the financial records of all charitable gaming licencees and for all First Nations VLT operations. The proposed legislation would specifically address the auditor general's recommendations regarding First Nations' Gaming Commission Agreements, the First Nations Licence Applications for Bingo/Breakopen and Raffles, and the First Nation VLT Siteholder Agreements. The provincial government says it has worked on the changes with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the regulations to support the legislation would be developed in further collaboration with the chiefs. Regulation over the First Nations Casino Project has had strong accountability requirements including having the province monitor the operation of casinos, conduct audits and inspect financial records, and require casino operators to provide audited financial statements to the province annually. The province has also required the registration of all casino operators including all those with ownership interests, as well as all gaming devices and equipment with the MGCC.

November 26, 2003 - There is a First Nations component to the BC Government's announcement that it is selling BC Rail to CN Rail. It includes the creation of a $15-Million BC Rail First Nations Benefits Trust to support economic development, educational advancement and cultural renewal for the 25 First Nations along the BC Rail corridor. - This may include funding to build capacity and provide seed-capital for aboriginal enterprises and joint partnerships - protect and promote languages - and support aboriginal youth apprenticeship training. - CN to retain existing First Nations programs and staff. - D’Arcy – Lillooet and Takla shuttle services continue. - The Province will negotiate transfer of non-railway surplus lands to First Nations. The BC Rail First Nations Benefits Trust will be administered by a board to be established by future legislation. The BC Government will make the initial appointments to the board. It will include First Nations representatives and others with expertise to meet the priorities of the trust.

November 21, 2003 - Yale First Nation mining project will create jobs and long-term financial benefits. A mining partnership between Yale First Nation and Qualark Resources Inc., received $300,000 from the BC Economic Measures Fund. The Qualark-Hills Bar project plans include a multi-faceted quarry that will mine gold and aggregate, with the potential to produce up to 12 million tonnes of sand and gravel annually. Yale First Nation Chief Robert Hope said, - -The Qualark-Hills Bar Project is a unique partnership that will create economic independence for our region.- - Once operational, the project will have created more than 40 jobs while providing professional skills training for First Nation members in surveying, terrain mapping, geophysics, archaeology, and transportation and communications. Local business will also benefit through supply contracts and services. Revenue sharing is split between Yale First Nation and other shareholders of Qualark Resources Inc. Both Yale First Nation and Qualark Resources Inc. have provided an initial investment of $75,000 each, with Qualark committed to a further $3.25 million to fund the pre-development stage.

October 27, 2003 - First Nation representatives of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation have given their unanimous support behind a strategy to improve their meaningful participation in the economy and natural resource development in their territory of Northwestern Ontario. The NAN territory covers approximately 725,000 km - almost two-thirds of Ontario, and has an abundance of untapped natural resources that First Nations are - -vying to protect in a sustainable manner for future generations- -. Following a strategic workshop in Thunder Bay, they demanded that the new McGuinty government seriously undertake - -high-level negotiations to address co-management of natural resources, control of untapped resources, and an equitable distribution of future revenues from resource extraction in NAN territory- -. As stated by Grand Chief Stan Beardy, - -the impetus behind developing such as strategy is based upon the need to invite Canada and Ontario to meaningfully participate in NAN’s economy and provide better opportunities for future generations.- - One of the major objectives of the workshop was to politicize and define plans in all resource sectors so that NAN could be positioned to have meaningful dialogue with the new provincial government along with the incoming federal regime. The meeting focused on the need to not only generate wealth within NAN First Nation communities, but also to re-invest the wealth to sustain NAN’s economies. Grand Chief Beardy stated, - -As we approach the 100th anniversary of Treaty 9, signed in 1905, we are entering into a new era in which First Nations will no longer be doing the asking, but will be taking positive and calculated approaches to ensuring that we receive maximum returns from our resources – in essence, we are ready to do business- -.

October 18, 2003 - Aboriginal northerners are concerned about their share of benefits from a Natural Gas Pipeline. The results of an Environics survey suggest northerners generally are losing confidence that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal northerners will share equally in the benefits. Aboriginal Northerners are less positive than are non-Aboriginal Northerners according to the fourth annual survey of one of Environics’ leading syndicated studies, the North of 60 and Remote Community Monitor. A decreasing majority of Northern Canadians think that Aboriginal Northerners will benefit as much from a natural gas pipeline as non-Aboriginal Northerners. When asked about the benefits of a potential natural gas pipeline for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples living in Canada’s North, two-thirds of Northern residents -66 per cent said that it is very or somewhat likely that Aboriginal Peoples living in the North will benefit as much from a natural gas pipeline as non-Aboriginal people, down from 71 percent in 2002 and 73 percent in 2001. Aboriginal Northerners are less hopeful on this issue in comparison with non-Aboriginal Northerners - 54 percent of Aboriginal Northerners in comparison to 75 percent of non-Aboriginal Northerners see both groups receiving equal benefits from a Northern pipeline. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Northerners have both become less positive on this issue since the question was first asked in 2001. However, Aboriginal Northerners have become much less positive than non-Aboriginal Northerners since 2002. Residents of the NWT -75 per cent, are the most likely to believe that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Northerners will receive equal benefits from a Northern pipeline. Yukoners -68 per cent, residents of Nunavik -49 per cent and those in Nunavut -47 percent are less positive by comparison.

October 17, 2003 - Mi'kmaq First Nation Community of Membertou joins forces with a world IT leader, to become part of significant Information Technology venture. Fujitsu Consulting and Membertou announced they are creating a new company to pursue IT services opportunities. Once fully constituted, the new venture will operate as Membertou Technologies, Inc. MTI. The new organization will soon have its first significant opportunity, as Lockheed Martin Canada announced its intention to use Membertou Technologies, Inc. as an integral part of a multi-million dollar project with Canada's Department of National Defence. Once operational, Membertou Technologies Inc. will focus on delivering high quality IT services, while simultaneously developing knowledge-based employment opportunities, for both the community of Membertou and Atlantic Canadians. Bernd Christmas, Chief Executive Officer, Membertou said, - -Aligning ourselves with Fujitsu Consulting, Membertou is able to enhance its high tech skill base with a partner that is not only a world leader in IT but one that has demonstrated a willingness and ability to build strong value-based relationships with Canada's First Nations communities. Through a working relationship with Lockheed Martin Canada, Membertou Technologies, Inc. will further its experience and expertise necessary in the pursuit of the Maritime Helicopter Project.- - Lockheed Martin Canada will provide an important kick-start for the new enterprise. The advanced electronic military systems integrator announced its intention to involve MTI on the Canadian Forces Health Information System CFHIS project. The CFHIS project will consolidate and secure all available health records for Canada's military personnel, allowing authorized DND care providers to access a complete case history for each DND employee wherever they serve. The potential value to MTI of this opportunity will be approximately $500,000.00, with work starting as early as January 2004. As part of the agreement, it is intended that Membertou Development Corporation will retain a 51 per cent controlling interest of the enterprise while Fujitsu Consulting holds 49 per cent. The IT services firm will create procurement opportunities in both the public and private sectors. In addition the new venture will create revenue streams that will further Membertou's goal towards self-sufficiency.

August 21, 2003 - Landmark Mining Agreement - Getting a Piece of Natural Resource Business Activity. First Nation members will benefit from unique mining participation and royalty agreement. Quatsino First Nation has signed an agreement with a company looking to develop industrial mining near Port Hardy in their traditional territory on North Vancouver Island. This Agreement with Electra Gold Ltd, is one of the first of its kind between a First Nation and a mining company where a royalty is paid on the minerals extracted from the land within a First Nation's Traditional Territory in the province of British Columbia. As part of the agreement, the company will pay to the Quatsino First Nation a royalty of $1.00 for each metric tonne of production from the mineral claims, half of which royalty is a deferred payment until production from the Claims exceeds 200,000 tonnes per year. It's a good deal for his community, says Chief Tom Nelson, - -Electra Gold has set the benchmark for other corporations that want to do business with the Quatsino First Nation.- - In addition to the royalty payments, the Company has agreed to provide the services of a Community Development Consultant and to utilize the First Nation training capabilities - to employ Quatsino First Nation members. The company and first nation have agreed to negotiate in good faith respecting a royalty in the event the company discovers non-industrial minerals of commercial value. The company wants to develop the industrial mineral potential of the Apple Bay mineral claim and other claims it has staked in the area. The Company's Apple Bay mineral claims cover approximately 11,250 hectares /approximately 45 square miles/ at the northern tip of Vancouver
Island and have been under development for chalky geyserite and kaolinite deposits. The Apple Bay mineral claims are located within the Quatsino Traditional Territory. Electra Gold Ltd. is a Vancouver, British Columbia industrial mineral mining company.

August 8, 2003 - First Nations in Atlantic Canada Received Business Funds from federal government. $1.5 million to assist Eskasoni First Nation in establishing a boat building facility on-reserve. August 7, 2003 - -The future is continually getting brighter for our community, and the Boat Building facility will definitely generate more opportunities for our people, while enhancing our economic growth. I believe that this is another major step toward achieving our goal of self-sufficiency through the self-determining process.- - Chief Blair Francis of the Eskasoni First Nation

July 24, 2003 - $235,000 investment assists with relocation and expansion of the St. John Valley Gas Bar and Convenience Store. - -I am happy with the funding we have received to expand the gas bar. This demonstrates that when bands and government work together, we can use funding to reach good results.- - Chief Jean Cimon, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation

July 23, 2003 - $2.4 million to assist in construction of commercial truck stop. - -The Chief and Council have set economic self-sufficiency as a goal for the Tobique First Nation. The truck stop is a key component of achieving this goal and one of the many aggressive and innovative initiatives being pursued by the First Nation.- - Chief Stewart Paul of the Tobique First Nation

July 31, 2003 - Wahta water everywhere! Wahta Springs, a First Nation's company landed a massive contract to provide four million bottles of water to the hundreds of thousands of fans at the Rolling Stones Toronto benefit concert. 600 workers were hired to sell the water to the hot and thirsty concert-goers. Wahta Springs bottles water from the Wahta Mohawk Reserve in the Muskokas and ships it to customers from a warehouse at Six Nations in Ohsweken. This is the largest single order ever for the First Nations firm.

July 3, 2003 - Creating Wealth and Jobs for Rural Communities in BC. Boston Bar First Nation in British Columbia is participating in a partnership involving a successful business initiative - the design and construction of a low-cost wood-drying kiln to support the manufacturing of value-added wood products in B.C.'s rural communities. British Columbia Institute of Technology /BCIT/ and Boston Bar First Nation, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada, designed and constructed a portable kiln in Boston Bar. The kiln uses a domestic hot-water boiler for power, can accommodate 17,000 board feet of lumber per load, and is fully portable for easy transportation to communities around the province. The implementation of the kiln in Boston Bar is expected to create 20 new jobs and $108,000 in gross annual revenue. The design of the portable kiln allows communities to build and operate their own unit for under $50,000, facilitated by a hands-on distance education course designed by BCIT. - -The Boston Bar First Nation had an agreement with Teal Cedar Products for a supply of timber from the local area,- - said Boston Bar First Nation Chief Dolores O'Donaghey. - -By supplying the land to try out the first portable kiln developed at BCIT, our area will see a 160 per cent improvement in employment since before the softwood dispute.- - BCIT has constructed a prototype kiln at the Burnaby campus using the plans made for the portable kiln and a distance education program. The kiln at Boston Bar is the first step of a multi-phase plan to implement design and use of portable kilns in rural communities.

July 1, 2003 - Creating Wealth for First Nations from Northern Ontario Forests. Indian Affairs announced an investment of $766,020 to assist a group of First Nations - the North Shore Tribal Council to purchase a company as a first step toward establishing a new value-added forestry business in northern Ontario. The tribal council will use the funds to purchase, through a numbered Ontario company, the assets of Algoma Mill Works. The assets include access to an annual volume commitment of 150,000 cubic metres of white birch from nine northern Ontario forests, as well as a business plan and engineering studies describing the development of a plywood plant which could employ as many as 250 people in the plant and in woodland operations supporting the mill. A Resource Acquisition Initiative investment of $430,000 will help the Tribal Council First Nations purchase the assets, while a Resource Partnership Program investment of $336,020 will help the Tribal Council plan and negotiate the necessary joint working agreements required to move the project forward. The project will eventually require a private sector partner. Acting Chairman of the North Shore Tribal Council, Chief Angus Toulouse, said the purchase is a good fit with other plans in the forest sector. - -The Algoma Mill Works purchase will secure a major pillar in the 2001 First Nations Strategic Business Plan for Forestry in the region.- - The Strategic Business Plan focuses on four major elements of the forest sector: forest management planning, silviculture, forest harvesting, and manufacturing capability. The North Shore Tribal Council represents the following First Nations along Lake Huron’s north shore between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury - Batchewana, Garden River, Thessalon, Mississauga, Serpent River, Sagamok and Whitefish Lake. The communities have a total on-reserve population of approximately 4,000.

June 17, 2003 - Funds will help Treaty 6 First Nations oil industry business expand involvement in Alberta's oilpatch and double the number of jobs. $350,000 in federal funding will assist seven east central Alberta First Nations provide expanded oil well services as part of a $1.5 million project. Seven Lakes Oilfield Services Limited Partnership /SLOSLP was created in 2002 as a joint venture between Pimee Well Services Ltd., owned by the First Nations of Beaver Lake, Frog Lake, Heart Lake, Kehewin, Saddle Lake and Whitefish /Goodfish Lake and Primco Dene Catering Ltd., owned by the Cold Lake First Nations, to expand oil well servicing and associated spin-off activities such as waste management and scaffolding services. First Nations have previous successful experience as minor partners in the oil and gas sector. This $1.5 million project will enable SLOSLP to expand their existing involvement in the oilpatch by creating new services through the purchase of waste management trucks and bins, scaffolding equipment and a new well servicing rig. Existing contracts with companies such as EnCana, the Foster Creek project and the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range as well as a number of new contracts with private sector partners have necessitated the purchase of new equipment by Seven Lakes Oilfield Services. The project not only allows Seven Lakes Oilfield Services to expand their oilpatch expertise, but also results in the creation of 33 new jobs in addition to the 37 existing jobs.

June 10, 2003 - First Nation's railway business opportunity lost because of Ontario politics, says Chief. A Moose Cree First Nation and CN Rail partnership plan promised to provide improved service as well as a Cree cultural theme to attract more passengers to the northeastern Ontario service. However, the Ontario Government decided to keep Ontario Northern Railway as a public body. . . a political decision Chief Norman Hardistry Jr. said was made by the Eves government to protect its partisan position in the region, - - . . .the Ontario government missed a golden opportunity to improve the rail freight and passenger services in northern Ontario, including improved tourism in the Moosonee/Moose Factory area. The plan to sell the ONR to Canadian National was aborted by the Eves government in favor of getting their PC candidate elected in the North Bay riding.- - Chief Hardisty said his greatest fear became a reality, - - . . . the Eves government became too occupied on getting elected and using the long term job guarantee issue as a pretax for aborting the sale to CN and no consideration on the other benefits the sale will bring. These benefits include better freight and passenger services for northern Ontario,marketing of the North's tremendous tourism potential,and jobs for our young people.- -
As part of CN's bid proposal, Moose Cree First Nation in partnership with CN, included the following commitments if the bid was successful - Substantial improvements to the Little Bear and Polar Bear services now offered by the ONR through an investment in equipment, staff training and a new reservation system for passengers, - Renovation of passenger equipment with a Cree cultural theme throughout to improve the travel experience for current users and attract new passengers, Implementation of a business plan designed to market new and existing tourist attractions in the Moosonee and Moose Factory area that can be easily linked to rail travel, and - Building upon the success of CN's Agawa Canyon train experience including combining equipment and joint marketing to travel agents and eco-tourists. - CN would invest in a new tourism facility and in a tourism development fund.

June 4, 2003 - Five million dollar business deal. Proprietary Industries Inc. announced that the Musqueam Indian Band has purchased the nearby Musqueam golf course from Eagle Quest Golf Centers Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia. Eage Quest is a subsidiary of Proprietary Industries Inc. The Musqueam Golf facility includes an 18 hole, par 60, executive golf course with a two tier, 80 stall driving range and an approximately 4,000 square foot clubhouse situated on 57.28 acres of land that is leased from the Musqueam Indian Band. In a referendum last month - May 2003 - that involved both on and off reserve Musqueam First Nation members, the proposed sale was ratified when 90.5 per cent said Yes! 35 per cent of all eligible Musqueam voters took part in the vote, a turnout that Chief and Council called, - -Tremendous- -. After the vote a notice of thank you from chief and council to community members said, - -First, we thank the membership for the clear direction they have given. Council will put in place the best business deal we can to ensure that this investment is a success. Next, we thank our dedicated technical team that put this deal together on very tight time lines, and who never complained about the 18 hour days and tough questions we made them answer. And thanks to the Referendum team /Allyson Fraser, Krista Point, Dawn Campbell and Ginger Louis/ that worked so hard to get the information out to the membership, and organize the voting. A special thanks to Larry and Gina Grant for their work in telephoning members to let them know about the vote. And Gina, the meal at the information meeting was delicious.- -

The purchase of the golf course business is an interesting aspect of Musqueam life especially when you consider the history of the community and the fight by the Musqueam people to protect Aboriginal Rights. In 1984 the Supreme Court of Canada awarded the Musqueam $10 Million in a law suit against the Government of Canada, specifically the Department of Indian Affairs and a breach of trust regarding the leasing of land to create a golf course. In the often-cited -Guerin- case, the Musqueam First Nation sued the federal crown for breach of trust concerning 162 acres of Indian reserve land that had been leased to the Shaughnessy Golf Club in the late 1950's. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal government had a - -fiduciary responsibility- - for Aboriginal people - that is, a responsibility to safeguard Aboriginal interests - which it had breached. Chief Justice Brian Dickson described First Nations' interests in their lands as a - -pre-existing legal right not created by the Royal Proclamation...the Indian Act...or any other executive order or legislative provision.- - The ruling was especially significant because it recognized pre-existing Aboriginal rights both on reserves and outside reserves. Read more about the Musqueam by visiting their web site http://www.musqueam.bc.ca

May 17, 2003 - Significant funding was announced for two economic development initiatives. The Tsimshian's plans for cruise ship and shellfish aquaculture businesses received a boost of $737,352 from the governments of Canada and British Columbia. The cruise-ship portion of the funding will help support the Tsimshian develop operational marketing and branding plan, establish a tourism development corporation, train staff, develop tour packages and market cultural products. The Tsimshian will also work to develop partnerships with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, North West Cruise Association and local businesses. Funding for the shellfish business development opportunity will help the Tsimshian establish business and development plans, tenure applications, obtain seed and equipment for training and pilot sites and develop the necessary processing, transportation and marketing infrastructure. Harold Leighton, chairman of both Tsimshian Tourism Inc. and the Metlakatla Development Corporation said, - -These two major initiatives will go a long way in meeting the current economic challenges the Tsimshian communities face. The benefits that can be realized from these projects will also assist the north coast region as a whole rebuild its economy.- -

Pts'aan Jabim-Totem Pole Project brings the Nisga'a traditions of totem pole carving and raising, to people around the world via a new Web site. The project was developed by five Nisga'a youth interns under the guidance of the Gingolx Cultural Society and the Gingolx Media Centre and was supported with a $24,960 contribution from Canada's Digital Collections program. The Web site, accessible at http://collections.ic.gc.ca/gingolx features video clips of the carving and raising ceremonies, as well as audio clips of the totem pole stories. The launch of the Web site was part of a community celebration, marking the linking of the village of Kincolith by road to the rest of the province. Both the new highway and the Information Highway promise to bring increased economic and cultural opportunities to this Nisga'a community. Mike Scott of the Gingolx Media Centre said, - -This project shows the enormous potential of small, isolated communities benefitting from new technologies. Through Canada's Digital Collections, five Nisga'a youth were given the tools, training and support to create a Web site that documents the incredible story of local schoolchildren who, in 2000, carved the first totem pole in the village under master carver Chief Chester Moore. The legacy of skills, experience and pride, from carving to computers, will enable this community to take on more exciting projects.- -

May 9, 2003 - Ribbon cutting for historic opening of Aboriginal business. The Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, together with the three Grand Chiefs of Treaty 6, 7 and 8 attended the official Grand Opening of the Wingate Inn at 18220 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton. The hotel is collectively owned by all of Alberta's First Nations.

May 6, 2003 - The Duncan First Nation in Alberta has struck a deal with Calgary-based Winstar Resources Ltd. - a three year exploration permit for the exploration and development of all of the available oil and gas rights on their Indian Reserves No.151A and 151K. The lands contain approximately 9 sections -426 hectares- more orless and all petroleum and natural gas rights from surface to basement, excluding crude bitumen, are included. Winstar intends to shoot a minimum 15 kilometres of seismic as soon as possible and plans to spud the first well before the end of 2003.

May 3, 2003 - A Dream Comes True, as quality of life gets a big boost at Beausoleil First Nation - a barrier-free recreation and community centre that will include a gymnasium, four badminton courts, two volleyball courts, a fitness room, a stage and a running track. In addition, the Christian Island Community Recreation Centre will have commercial kitchen facilities and changerooms. The Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through SuperBuild will each contribute up to $612,500 to the project. The Beausoleil First Nation will invest the balance of the project's total eligible cost of $2,285,000. The new facility will be built in a traditional native circular design and will be used by residents of all ages for community events, celebrations and sports competitions. Construction is expected to be complete by 2005. Chief Valerie Monaguecommented, - -The Community Centre is a dream come true for us. We are thrilled to finally have a gathering place that will strengthen a holistic approach to good health for our families. On behalf of our community, I would like to express our appreciation to the governments of Canada and Ontario for contributing towards this dream.- -

Aboriginal Tourism Team Canada /ATTC released the key findings from the first-ever national Aboriginal tourism study that shows tourist spending generated $2.9 billion of economic activity for Aboriginal tourism in Canada. ATTC released the study during their National Aboriginal Tourism Conference at the Radisson Hotel Downtown Winnipeg. This benchmark study examined the economic impact of Aboriginal tourism and identified the trends, issues and opportunities facing this sector. The study was commissioned by ATTC, in partnership with Aboriginal Business Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Parks Canada Agency, Canadian Heritage, and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Aboriginal tourism businesses' total economic activity generated $4.9 billion in 2001, of which $2.9 billion resulted directly from tourist spending. This is significantly higher than any previous estimates. The research revealed that Aboriginal tourism still faces challenges in a number of areas such as community capacity/ infrastructure, human resources, product development, marketing and financing. It also showed that Aboriginal people are well positioned to benefit from emerging trends in Canada's key markets for ecotourism, experiential and learning vacations, -soft- outdoor experiences and urban-based Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences. Dwayne Hounsell, Chairman of ATTC, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation and the national voice of Aboriginal tourism, responded to the study's findings, - -Now, with support of its national and regional partners, Aboriginal Tourism Team Canada is updating its strategic plan to address the challenges, and take advantage of the opportunities that have been identified . We are striving to establish a shared, long-term vision of the future of Aboriginal tourism.- -

April 23, 2003 - Improved access to financing for young Aboriginal entrepreneurs, thanks to a change in Aboriginal Business Canada's program criteria. The upper age limit for youth applicants, formerly set at 30, has been raised to include individuals up to 35 years of age. Aboriginal youth represent nearly 20 percent of all self-employed Aboriginal people and are almost two-and-a-half times more likely to be entrepreneurs than Canadian youth in general. Increasing the age at which youth entrepreneurs can apply for Aboriginal Business Canada support and financing is designed to provide them with more time to attain higher levels of education, and to build equity and experience before starting a business. To be eligible for Aboriginal Business Canada financing, individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 must - demonstrate Aboriginal ancestry, experience and the viability of the business proposal - have a cash investment /equity in the proposed venture equivalent to at least 10 percent of the eligible costs - and hold a majority interest in the business.

April 17, 2003 - Aboriginal business on Haida Gwaii is under attack from the giant coffee corporation Starbucks. What's in a name? For a big business bully there's plenty, including a potential lawsuit. For Darin Swanson and several Haida entrepreneurs it's a Tempest in a Coffee Cup. The Starbucks coffee corporation is going after the tiny HaidaBucks cafe in Massett, Queen Charlotte Islands. Starbucks is concerned about the word -bucks- in the name the Haida are using. However, the owners point out that a nickname among Haida men is -bucks- and has nothing to do with coffee or whatever it is the -bucks- stands for in Starbucks. In fact there once was a basketball team called Haida Bucks. Starbucks, well known for its strong coffee will likely face an even stronger grassroots backlash. Certainly the Aboriginal community has responded by circulating the HaidaBucks story through its modern-day moccasin telegraph - the many e-mail distribution lists. Do you want to contact HaidaBucks? E-Mail your support to Darin Swanson hbucks@island.net If you want to send Starbucks your reaction, here's their web site address http://www.starbucks.com

April 15, 2003 - Funding will help Esquimalt First Nation's commercial development plans and provide for training and job creation. - -My grandfather and his grandfather before him both had one dream for Esquimalt Nation, as I dream today, that our children will have a better life and that they will rebuild a strong, healthy and prosperous community. This project will help the nation fulfil that dream. - - Chief Andy Thomas was commenting on the $75,000 from BC's Economic Measures Fund and Canada's matching funds to provide training that will build skills for the commercial development of seven acres of Esquimalt Nation land. The funding will support the Esquimalt Nation in developing skills to prepare the land for retail lease or rental. The Kasapsum Development Corporation, incorporated by the Esquimalt Nation as a community economic development corporation, will be responsible for developing the property. The funding will support training in land development, including local bylaw development, land-servicing negotiation with local governments, land surveying and contracting. The eventual leasing of the seven-acre parcel could result in 300 on-reserve jobs, $390,000 in annual land rent and $150,000 in tax revenue for the nation. Potential lessees have already shown interest.

Recently announced economic measures assisting First Nations projects include - $230,000 for the Mount Currie and Douglas First Nations, toward independent power projects. $26,700 for the Comox First Nation to research opportunities for tourism and investigate value-added manufacturing related to a recently-awarded forest licence. $75,298 for a partnership between the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia and First Nations in northern B.C. to train six aboriginal students to work as assistant guides. $257,850 for the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations to establish a forest training program and pursue economic opportunities for a timber
licence. $375,000 for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council to develop skills to launch a new shellfish operation. $530,000 for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation to revitalize the abalone
shellfish aquaculture industry in Bamfield. To date, $24,852,744 has been awarded to First Nations in 110 projects throughout B.C.

April 5, 2003 - The Huu-ay-aht First Nation will receive $530,000 from the province of British Columbia's Economic Measures Fund that will revitalize commercial production of Pinto abalone in the Bamfield area. Over the next three years these funds will help the Huu-ay-aht First Nation expand into the shellfish aquaculture industry. The funding will create up to 15 full time jobs and will help revitalize and diversify the local economy through the development and construction of a permanent aquaculture facility. The project will result in partnerships between First Nations, local communities and industry. Spencer Peters, hereditary Chief of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation called this project a positive step in the right direction for the preservation, enhancement and reintroduction of natural resources - in this case, abalone. - -It fits in with our objectives and goals for sustainability of our natural resources for our future generations.- - Malaspina University College's Fisheries and Aquaculture Department will provide training in shellfish aquaculture development to Huu-ay-aht First Nation members. Pinto abalone is a high-value shellfish that was harvested in British Columbia for commercial purposes until the early 90's. It is now closed to all fishing because of dramatic stock declines. The funding will enable the Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Abalone Project launched in 2001 to produce Pinto abalone through aquaculture and enhance stocks. The Huu-ay-aht First Nation has already successfully completed a pilot hatchery assessment for the culture of abalone. The next phase of the project includes a strategy to construct a permanent, high-output, low-cost facility to operate as an ongoing business. As well as growing abalone for the marketplace, the facility will provide abalone for work on recovery of wild stocks.

March 19, 2003 - Mineral Exploration and Economic Partnership MOU - True North Gems and Ross River Dena First Nation Sign Landmark Agreement. The Ross River Dena Council on behalf of the Kaska Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU confirming Kaska support for True North's ongoing exploration of properties in the Finlayson District of the Yukon, within the Kaska Traditional Territory. The MOU acknowledges that True North Gems holds 100 percent of the Regal Ridge property and establishes a framework for creating economic partnerships with the Kaska in support of ongoing mineral exploration. The agreement acknowledges that the Kaska have unsurrendered aboriginal rights and titles within the Kaska Traditional Territory and commits True North Gems to negotiate an impact-benefit agreement with the Kaska upon completing a positive bankable feasibility study on True North's Regal Ridge emerald discovery. Chief Jack Caesar of the Ross River Dena Council said, - -No mining company has ever negotiated an agreement like this before. By recognizing our aboriginal rights and titles, True North has helped open a new era in the relationship between the Kaska and the mining industry and pointed the way for a reconciliation that will benefit all Yukoners.The Kaska are open for business.- - True North has given job and contract preferences to the Kaska and the Kaska have a number of joint ventures that stand to benefit from the MOU.

February 27, 2003 - The Minister of Indian Affairs announced more than one million dollars in funding to help Aboriginal communities in Ontario create new jobs, expand business opportunities and explore possible economic opportunities. The projects include Big Vermilion Lodge - $172,800 to help expand a tourism hospitality operation in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Wasaya Ma Mow Ltd. - $170,300 to help expand float- and ski-plane service throughout Northern Ontario. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation - $60,000 to explore new forestry job opportunities. Sandy Lake First Nation - $44,500 to consult the community on proposed mineral exploration. Mushkegowuk Tribal Council - $100,000 to develop a human resources training and development strategy, which will help residents of member communities prepare for employment in tourism, eco-tourism, mining and forestry. Michipicoten First Nation - $60,000 to help negotiate a joint agreement with Great Lakes Power Ltd. for the development of a hydro-electric project at Dore Falls, next to the Michipicoten reserve. Chapleau Ojibway First Nation - $50,000 to work with a variety of partners to develop a plan for the most effective use of approximately 20,000 cubic metres of poplar and mature spruce, pine, and fir trees that were blown down in a July 1999 storm. T.C. Automotive and RV - $39,600 to purchase equipment and construct a building for a new business facility in Little Current, Ontario. Batchewana First Nation - $25,000 to investigate, with government and private sector partners, the potential of sustainable harvesting of Canada Yew in the Algoma area for the development of therapeutic treatments for various diseases. Pic Mobert First Nation - $94,300 to explore options to develop power generation projects on its traditional lands, which will include negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement with a partner for a prospective joint-venture. Whitesand First Nation - $82,000 to help the community negotiate with Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. for the development of small hydro sites on its traditional lands. Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishnabek formerly known as Rocky Bay First Nation - $62,700 to revitalize its commercial fishery by replacing a fish-packing building and buying new ice machines, and by expanding the business into processing for direct sales to local grocery stores, restaurants and other buyers. Fort William First Nation - $59,600 to help develop two sugar maple stands on reserve land near Mount McKay as production and educational facilities.

Meanwhile, Industry Canada announced it will contribute $1.2 million over three years to the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund NADF. A partnership agreement will see the NADF organization continue delivery of the Aboriginal Business Canada program, and to expand service in Ontario to a territory spanning the Nishnawbe Aski Nation NAN and Robinson-Superior/Treaty 1850 areas. Gabriel Echum, Chair, NADF Board of Directors said the agreement - -will allow continued delivery of business services and financial support for Aboriginal entrepreneurs in rural and very remote communities in the NAN region and extend services to new clients.- - NADF serves an Aboriginal population of 70,000 people residing on- and off-reserve, and has successfully operated as an External Delivery Organization with Aboriginal Business Canada for over 12 years. The official signing of the agreement took place during the grand opening of the new NADF offices, located at 100 Anemki Drive, Suite 201, Fort William First Nation.

February 19, 2003 - Ceremonies today to open the National Business Summit in Toronto feature traditional drumming and singing by the Red Spirit Singers. Included among the notable speakers from across Canada - Brenda Chambers, President, Brenco Media - John Bernard, President, Donna Cona Inc. - Bernd Christmas, CEO, Membertou Development Corporation - Grand Chief Dr. Ted Moses, Grand Council of the Crees /Eeyou Istchee/ - Ray Wanoch, Metis Nation of Alberta - Tom Maracle, Xerox Canada; and Roger Barber, Bowater Canadian Forest Products Inc. The National Business Summit is dedicated to strengthening Aboriginal participation in Canada’s economy. Three themes will be featured at the Summit - Building Partnerships, Building the Entrepreneurial Spirit and Building the Investment Climate. Participants will provide first-hand accounts of successful partnerships across Canada.

January 16, 2003 - Donna Cona, Canada’s leading Aboriginal information and communications technology company, has been awarded a $15 million contract to provide the department of Indian Affairs with full Helpdesk, network, operational and information technology management support. It is one of the largest federal government Aboriginal set-aside contracts awarded to an Aboriginal entrepreneur under the Government of Canada's Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business. - -This announcement will build our strength and capacity as an Aboriginal technology company,- - said Donna Cona President John Bernard, who is a member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Band.

January 11, 2003 - Turtle Island Native Network has learned of a major setback to the Secwepemc Peoples Sun Peaks boycott. Delta Hotels, which includes the Sun Peaks hotel has struck a partnership deal with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business CCAB. Delta Hotels has become a member of the CCAB, Canada's leading organization dedicated to promoting the full participation of Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy. As a Silver Member Delta will be entitled to the following benefits of membership - Company name posted on CCAB Web portal - Company name listed in the CCAB Gala Dinner booklet - Logo on CCAB Newsletter -Corporate consulting services designed To help Delta Hotel executives network with aboriginal community leaders - Aboriginal Awareness Training - Aboriginal Business Procurement Strategies - Aboriginal Employment and Retention. The Secwepemc people have tried to champion a boycott of Delta Hotels because of their oppostion to the Sun Peaks expansion project. The Assembly of First Nations publicly supported the boycott. Meanwhile, the Ktunaxa Kinbasket First Nation recently opened its international resort at the St. Eugene's Mission, which includes a Delta Hotels project.

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