Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/73121
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Minimum loan of $5000.00 required The Trade Show & Jobs Fair Economic Summit, BY MARTIN ZEILIG recent Economic Summit, Trade METROPOLITAN • GENERAL DENTISTRY • PREVENTATIVE • FULL AND PARTIAL DENTURES • RESTORATIVE Show & Jobs Fair – Building Wealth through Partnerships (June 12-14 at the Greenwood Inn & Suites in Winnipeg) sponsored by Man- itoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Inc. was billed as "one of the most successful confer- ences" by MKO Grand Chief David Harper. Some 500 people attended the summit DENTAL GROUP Phone (204) 942-8531 Serving the Aboriginal Community for Over 50 Years Boyd Medical Centre 711-388 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3C OC8 over its three day period. MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy or- ganization that has represented 30 First Na- tion communities in Manitoba's North since 1981, according to the organization's website. During an interview with First Nations Voice, Mr. Harper emphasized that industry, government and First Nations leader- ship were all at the table together. "Overall, everybody had the same mes- sage, that revenue sharing, jobs and economic ment activity that GET WHAT YOU WANT TODAY! • Open a new account • Apply for credit Use your cards and grow your credit! NORTHERN FINANCIAL SERVICES 1-866-963-2477 Apply in-store or call develop- is surrounding our First Nations' Honourable communities had to involve our great- est asset, which is our young people," he said. The Dave Chomiak, Minister of Innova- tion, Energy & Mines, Govern- ment of Manitoba, observed that such economic summits are the logical "next steps" in promoting continued econom- ic and social cooperation be- tween the province and First Nations communities. He pointed to the mining The painting by Leonard Bighetty of a stylized and updated Treaty handshake was commissioned and purchased by the Island Lake Tribal Council for inclusion in a report on Treaty No. 5. table that the provincial gov- ernment has initiated with First Nations com- munities. "It's a place where First Nations, the prov- ince and mining associations can discuss de- velopment," said Mr. Chomiak during a tele- phone interview shortly after his welcoming remarks at the summit on June 12. "I think during the course of this event there will be an announcement of First Na- tions in Manitoba being actively involved in new mining developments here. We should talk about the things that work – the equity interest that a number of First Nations have in Manitoba Hydro." He stressed that the future of Manitoba is totally dependent on how we deal with First Nations communities – "the largest growing demographic" in Manitoba. "We need thousands of people to work in these sectors and the only place that will come from is First Nations or immigration," continued Mr. Chomiak. He also added that the recent session of the Legislature passed legislation which will create an Energy Jobs Fund to help people in Manitoba to take advantage of the $18 billion in hydro development over the next few years. "If you're a First Nations company in Nor- way House, for example, and you can't get bonding, then we'll help you obtain that bond- ing so you can compete for the millions of dol- lars in funds," explained Mr. Chomiak. "We're working with First Nations on a number of issues. And, we're trying to ensure that they have access to jobs and participation in these projects. First Nations communities will share the wealth." Meanwhile, Mr. Harper added that the central, consistent message that came out of the summit was that for too long people throughout North Ameri- ca have followed money – meaning they move where the jobs are located. "When mining formerly closures happen, they all leave," he said. Mr. Harper pointed to the thriving community of Leaf Rapids, Manitoba as an example of what can hap- pen when a town's mine clos- es. In the case of Leaf Rapids, it went from a peak population of 2000 or so people to just under 500 residents in a rela- tively short time span. "But, what we're saying is that we have to invest in First Nations communities that will always be there, regardless if jobs are there, or not there," he said, mentioning that six months ago MKO formed a company, in part- nership with the North West Company, called Meskeki – "medicine" in OjiCree – which has a distribution and pharmacy licence to distrib- ute medication anywhere in the world, plus another recently formed aviation company, called Pimanawin, in partnership with Custom Helicopters out of St. Andrews, Manitoba. "If they're mining (or if there's hydro devel- opment) in our (particular) community, then we have to invest in our First Nations youth and overall population. We're building power dams and lines. We're now fully ready to en- gage in the corporate sector and the world."