Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/68073
PAGE 20 • JUNE 2012 25 years of serving the community – The North West Company celebrates milestone anniversary For over 300 years The North West Compa- ny (NWC) has served as the local general store throughout Northern Canada. It's the place where you get your eggs, flour, bread and pretty much everything else in be- tween – it's also just as much a fixture in the com- munity as the rivers and lakes that dot the north- ern landscape. The company's historical roots extend back to the fur trading voyage of the Nonsuch in 1668, and in fact, one of the first trading posts established in Northern Canada is still operating today as a Northern store at Waskaganish in James Bay. But it wasn't until 25 years ago that the com- pany with a rich historical legacy took its first step towards independence when a group of enter- prising managers, employees and investors pur- chased the Northern Stores Division from Hudson Bay Company and a new company was born. "As a tribute to the company's rich legacy The North West Company was adopted as the formal name for the new venture," says Michael McMul- len, Executive Vice President, Northern Canada Retail. "We wanted the name to reflect the enter- prising spirit of the voyageurs who helped found the fur trade laying the foundation for the stores we operate today." Today, Northern and NorthMart serve over 130 commitment to the community goes well beyond being both a provider of goods and local employ- er. Last year, NWC devoted approximately 1.3 million of net earnings to support sports and rec- reation, arts and culture, healthy living, education and environmental sustainability. Among the worthy causes supported by NWC communities and are the largest local employer in Canada's North and the largest private sector em- ployer of First Nations people in Canada. According to McMullen, the extent of NWC's are a number of breakfast and snack programs at local elementary schools such as the Health Track Wellness Tour, the Father Porte Memorial Dene School breakfast program and the OneX- One First Nations School Breakfast Program. As the company looks ahead into 2012, a number of new community support initiatives are being planned as part of their 25th anniversary in- cluding one centred on healthy living. Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary Winnipeg • Saskatoon•Calgary | www.westco.ca Congratulations on your 25th Year Sales@dunnrite.ca Congratulations to The NorthWest Company on celebrating 25 years! www.acosta.com PROUD TO PARTNER WITH NORTHWEST COMPANY! bockstael.com *NORTH WEST CONGRAT AD* 1/4 page (4 x 78), full colour PBS #3281710 Bison Transport *NORTH WEST CONGRAT AD* 1/4 page (4 x 78), spot red PBS #3280699 Saputo Dairy