Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/272116
PAGE 4 • MARCH 2014 CLASSES START SEPTEMBER 2014 – APPLY NOW! 204.989.6500 wtc.mb.ca RESTAURANT & FOOD SERVICES ENTREPRENEURSHIP MOTOSPORT TECHNICIAN accredited by: AnnouncingtheupcomingChiefand CouncilElectionswhichwillbeheld on ursday,April10,2014. PollingstationsareinBONandin WinnipegattheMarlborughInnthe ChurchillRoom. Pollsareopenfrom9am-8pm. For more Information contact the Parks & Rec Staff at (204) 359 – 6930 Come Out and have some FUN! March 6-9, 2014 KingandQueenTrapperEvents•FamilyEvents• SnowSculptureContest•TexasHold'emTournament •CardGamesandBoardGames•FishFry•PingPong Tournament•BantamHockeyTournament•Monster Bingo•SydneyOsborneMemorialSnowShoeEvent• JiggingandSquareDanceCompetition Norway House Cree Nation Parks & Recreation Parks & Recreation Fish Fry! Snow Sculpture Jigging and Square Dance Trapper Events Family Events I am pleased to share with you a progress report and update on NH- CN's most recent economic develop- ment initiatives: Broadband: Norway House Cree Nation is one of the first Cree Nations in Canada to own and fully operate its own high speed Broadband internet service. Norway House Cree Nation Broad- band Inc. (NHBB Inc.), a division of NHCN, is 100% owned by NHCN and provides wireless high-speed internet service. Broadband also upgraded the local television to digital, re- placing the old analog system and increase the available channels to 45. The entire broadband service is available to all community households, commercial businesses, health care entities, banks, police and security services, and all ed- ucation and training institutions. The new broadband service created 4 full time positions at the broadband office and 10 installer jobs. A nice economic impact to our community! The NHCN Broadband Inc. (NHBB Inc.) office opened on June 27, 2013 and currently staffs: Manager; Shawn Scribe, Financial Clerk; Laverne Menow, and Customer Service Representative; Ester York. Included in the initial staffing was Senior Technician; Patrick Augie Senior who was very instrumental in the development of the new office. The NHBB Inc. is contributing to the success of economic development in NHCN as it offers a valuable service to the membership, businesses and agencies of NHCN. Over this past summer we have installed TV and/or In- ternet to 641 homes and internet to 28 businesses. As the season changes, NHBB Inc. has moved into maintenance mode for the winter. Winter installations will continue weath- er permitting. As the weather improves we will be back to a more aggressive installation schedule for the approx. 290 remaining in the queue. Entertainment Centre: Norway House Cree Nation currently has a functioning Gaming Center that is in need of renovation. In early 2013, plans were developed to erect a new Center that would ad- dress both the risks as well as the market opportunities. The new structure, which is currently under construction, will pro- vide suitable space for gaming and provide the necessary supporting amenities, security provisions and administrative space for a modern Norway House Cree Nation Entertain- ment Center. The new Center, located immediately behind the York Boat Inn, within the heart of the commercial center of the commu- nity, has an area of 6,000 square feet and will be ready for occupancy and full operation by May/June 2014. C-Store/Gas Bar/Tim Hortons: On December 16, 2013 we held the official opening of the Tim Hortons in the Kistapinanik Mall. The community response has been overwhelming with requests for longer hours to service the community demand. Construction has started for the C-Store which also in- cludes another Tim Hortons. The new C-Store, located adja- cent to the York Boat Inn, within the heart of the commercial center of the community, coincides with the many exciting employment, training, and economic development opportu- nities in our community. New Medical Transportation Bus for NHCN: A new bus has been purchased for medical transportation and will arrive in NHNC the first week of March and will be ready for its first trip. The new bus will ensure the safety and comfort of those traveling to receive medical attentions. The bus will assist in offering members of NHCN a higher quality of health care service. PROGRESS REPORT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NHCN Chief Ron Evans Norway House Cree Nation