First Nations Voice

MAY 2013 • PAGE 3 AFFINITY FRAUD: HOW TO AVOID INVESTMENT SCAMS THAT TARGET GROUPS Providing exceptional value! National brand quality, without the national brand price. Our BV Signature products will exceed your expectations. Only available at What is an Affinity Fraud? Affinity fraud refers to investment scams that prey upon members of identifiable groups, such as religious or ethnic communities, the elderly, or professional groups. The fraudsters who promote affinity scams frequently are - or pretend to be - members of the group. They often enlist respected community, or religious leaders from within the group to spread the word about the scheme, by convincing those people that a fraudulent investment is legitimate and worthwhile. Many times, those leaders become unwilling victims of the fraudster's ruse. These scams exploit the trust and friendship that exist in groups of people who have something in common. Because of the tightknit structure of many groups, it can be difficult for regulators or law enforcement officials to detect an affinity scam. Victims often fail to notify authorities or pursue their legal remedies, and instead try to work things out within the group. This is particularly true where the fraudsters have used respected community or religious leaders to convince others to join the investment. • Be suspicious of investments described as exclusive or only offered to a particular group. • Watch out for investments or advisers who exploit a personal connection. Research backgrounds and credentials, and understand the investment so you know what is being offered. • Beware of referrals from "trusted" members within your group. They may not have conducted any background checks and could have been selected by the scam artists as early influencers. If you suspect any thing within first nation communities that reflect the taking advantage of grassroots band members through affinity fraud, raise the issue first with your chief and council. If in the event they cannot answer your concerns, bring them to the RCMP Commercial Crimes Unit and the federal Minister of Indian Affairs. And also bring these kind of issues before the Securities Commission in whatever Province you now reside. Affinity Fraud is a crime against the whole community. Community Announcement M&L General Contracting Limited 83 Higgins Avenue, Winnipeg, MB | Ph: 204-774-4803 | Fax: 204-774-1200 | Email: info@mlgeneralcontracting.com M&L General Contracting Limited, which is located at 83 Higgins Avenue in Winnipeg's historic Point Douglas area, has evolved from a small scale three-person operation in 1994 to a team of over 80 today. "We're a fast growing, full service construction firm that specializes in Northern, remote and logistically challenging projects," said Amber Lutz, the company's human resources manager during an interview with a reporter. "In the last 18 years we have built our expertise and abilities on thousands of projects. We have cut our teeth building across some of Canada's most rugged and remote locations. M&L possesses the knowledge, skill and resources necessary to deliver uncompromising value and quality in all of our projects." For example, she points out that M&L has been contracted by Outland Camps to build modular construction units for an "over 500 person camp" near Keewatinoow in Northern Manitoba-- the site of a new generating station being built by Manitoba Hydro. "It will be a state-of-the art facility very comfortable for the workers," Lutz observed. She added that M &L also does a lot of work in First Nations communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario. This involves everything from renovating housing, to building new health centres and fire halls and other facilities. "With each project, we always make an effort to hire development program," according to Lutz. She also stressed the fact that, under the direction of CEO Reece Tomlinson, M&L has gone through a period of rapid growth over the past five years. "This has created opportunities for advancement for our current local people from within the communities in which we work," Lutz emphasized. One might term this a 'win-win' situation. "It helps the locals find work, and expands our candidate pool," Lutz noted. "We often find local people with training in trades that haven't necessarily had a place to employ those skills yet. And, we've kept some of those employees on permanently after the particular projects are completed." With internal developmental programs geared at creating long-term employment opportunities, we share a direct investment in the community as we train and recruit our next generation of employees, says information on the M&L website. "At any given time over one third of our work force is First Nation – the majority of which started in our staff," said Lutz, noting that the company also has a number of apprentices on their staff at present. "It also means we're looking for skilled and talented new employees, not just in the trades in the field but in management positions too. We offer continued training for our employees. Our employees are loyal representatives of the company's values. Our values reflect who we are and what we stand for. From the bottom to the top, these values are ingrained in our actions, every day." Safety on the work site is a trait that employees are constantly reminded of, she added. It's a hallmark of the company. "This means dedication to the well being of our team, clients, subcontractors and the communities in which we work," said Lutz. "Accountability means honouring our responsibilites to our employees, clients, the environment and society as a whole. Integrity drives our corporate philosophy, operations and achievements. And, our quality is never to be compromised." She also acknowledged that innovation is a key to driving creative solutions. "Completing projects on time, on budget and with a strong sense of accountability to the needs of our clients is paramount to our definition of a truly successful project," Lutz said. "With an industry leading safety record, highly accurate estimating and an experienced project team, we deliver projects on time and on budget while ensuring the best possible construction experience for our clients." With an employee directed charitable donation program, a community improvement initiative and a corporate donation program, the company has also been able to support many charitable organizations and communities including, the United Way of Winnipeg, the Health Sciences Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba, among many others. Added Lutz: "We believe that giving back is an essential ingredient for a truly successful business." For further information contact M&L General Contracting Ltd.: P: 204.774.4803 F: 204.774.1200 E: info@mlgeneralcontracting.com By Martin Zeilig

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