First Nations Voice

AUGUST 2014 • PAGE 9 Weworkwithyouto designyourbuilding projectsbothlarge andsmall. • Residentail • Commercial • Industrial • ContractorPricing Available ForCommercialSalescontact WardHintonat204-774-7389 oremail: commercialsales489@rona.ca 1333SargentAvenue 204-774-7389 Toll Free 1-888-680-7389 Commercial Sales 204-979-7389 Dedicated to fostering relationships with our First Nations communities. For eighteen months Neechi Commons has been in operations on Main Street of Winnipeg. The worker owned and operated grocery has been around for over 20 years at the flagship Neechi Foods Co-op still open on Dufferin Avenue, where its success rode many ups and downs over the years. Innovation and changing the way they do business always being a key factor in moving forward. Any business person knows the difficulty in starting up, often with few staff if any. Yet this community Social Enterprise jumped in with an explosion of both staff and diversity of business. The full grocery store is filled with all kinds of food to fill your home, the Neechi Niche Arts Store has hundreds of unique art, craft items and hand made contributions from all over, and of course the wonderful fare of Come 'N Eat Restaurant! Talk about a tall order to undertake and support over 40 people with employment. After a year of monitoring the restaurant 'traffic' and staffing recently changes were made to ensure the best for the business. A new "Coffee Menu" of snacks has been developed and is available daily after 3pm- 5pm, at Come 'N Eat Restaurant. It reduces the need for a full kitchen complement and ensures the availability for much needed coffee space and accommodations for the many community groups such as Aboriginal Youth Opportunities, Beading clubs, Writers and artists to gather. Neechi Commons has a board room for rent in addition to special event use of Come 'N Eat Restaurant. Something that has prompted the change in hours, as often disappointed dinner customers were turned away due to an event occurring. There are not many accessible spaces like Neechi Commons in the North End, making it a fantastic hub of the community, with so many events and opportunities happening weekly. Until September 19th on Fridays the North End Food Securities Network hosts the annual Farmer's Market noon- 5pm in the parking lot. Saturdays the AYO Movement always has something going on, lately Mayoral Candidates' conversation series for the youth and others. Sundays at 2pm a Beading Club takes over one end of the Restaurant where a great deal of giggles and laughter seems to be endlessly erupting from the growing group. Monthly there is a Bannock Breakfast gathering of aboriginal entrepreneurs and business owners where much commerce and wisdom is shared along with the usual Neechi laughter and banter. Throughout the week many businesses and organizations bring their meetings to the beautiful space in the climate controlled environment. This month there has been local television commercials about Neechi Commons and the unique Manitoba Hydro energy efficient designs that were incorporated as the building was renovated. One of the many things that not only gives great pride to this Social Enterprise but also contributes to the unique atmosphere found at this incredible north end gem. Many more changes will occur as time passes and business plans continue to be adjusted ensuring ongoing employment and the success of this beautiful Social Enterprise in the heart of Winnipeg's North End. A neighbourhood many would see as a degraded area now has a big bright heartbeat that pulses with hope and happiness for the generations to come. As the customer base continues to grow Neechi Commons will only get better with time By Ko'ona Cochrane Neechi Commons Change Creates Resilience CANADIANMENNONITEUNIVERSITY cmu.ca Discover CMU Faith-filled Community

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