First Nations Voice

SEPTEMBER 2014 • PAGE 13 Weworkwithyouto designyourbuilding projectsbothlarge andsmall. • Residentail • Commercial • Industrial • ContractorPricing Available ForCommercialSalescontact WardHintonat204-774-7389 oremail: commercialsales489@rona.ca 1333SargentAvenue 204-774-7389 TollFree1-888-680-7389 CommercialSales 204-979-7389 Dedicatedtofostering relationshipswithour FirstNationscommunities. Waywayseecappo First Nation Chief Mel- ville Wabash has no problem recommend- ing RONA to any First Nation after positive results from partnership. "It's working out fine," said Wabash. "We've definitely found some cost savings working with RONA." The community always has needs for lum- ber and equipment to not only maintain cur- rent infrastructure but also for new projects. Wabash said every year the community goes through a process of applying to Ab- original Affairs and Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) to determine the allocation for the community. It was community member Alan Isfeld, also the First Nations Voice publisher, who pointed out that working with RONA could be ben- eficial for the community. Working with RONA out of Winnipeg was a first for Waywayseecappo First Nation. Wabash said, "Yah, there's little glitches every once in awhile but they're manage- able. We work them out. Just get on the phone with them right away." And that's im- portant for the First Nation community with a population approaching 2000 located 320 km due west of Winnipeg. Ward Hinton, RONA Store Man- ager Home and Gar- den, said, "We've worked with com- munities here and there in the past but we never really got heavily involved with a com- munity or their developments and building a good relationship built up on what their needs are and theirs as well." RONA has established a national reputa- tion since 1933 for delivering quality prod- ucts at competitive prices on time. Hinton said RONA is the largest retail outlet of its kind in Canada with access to over 50,000 prod- ucts and can deliver goods at a price that is very competitive in the industry. "Right now, we're ahead of the curve," said Hinton. "We've already taken about a dozen loads, five ton trucks, out to Wayway." Also, items of large scale, like trusses, can be shipped directly from the manufacturer exaclty when the community needs it said Hinton with no middlemen to slow down the shipment. And RONA can ship anywhere in Manitoba, Northern Ontario and parts of Saskatchewan. "It's just through good communication that everything rolls along when the community needs it," said Hinton. From the store location, Hinton said ev- erything for Manitoba's stores actually ships through his location. Hinton also said that there is no hesitation to travel to communities for meetings with First Nation administrations for an opportu- nity to share what RONA brings to the table and determine the needs of the community. Trevor Greyeyes first nAtiOns pArtnership with rOnA tO imprOve COmmUnity Waywayseecappo First Nation Chief Melville Wabash has no problem recommending RONA to any First Nation

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