First Nations Voice

NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 3 Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award operator of Clarke Financial Planning and Insurance Ser- vices in Winnipeg, and Tim Sweeny, the founder/operator of Creeway Aviation in Thomp- son, were the two winners at the 2012 Excellence in Aborigi- nal Business Leadership Award held on October 4 at the Fair- mont Winnipeg. The award was established Andrew Clarke, the owner/ ship," says the online mate- rial. "Since establishing the by the Aboriginal Business Education Partners (ABEP) at the University of Manitoba's Asper School of Business in 2005 to honour an individual that has exemplified leadership within the context of Aboriginal Business, says information on the ABEP website. Nominees are named each year with the winner announced at the dinner. "The Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award dinner is one of Manito- ba's most prestigious events for honouring excellence in Aboriginal business leader- ANDREW CLARKE inspire the students to pursue work within many sectors or even es- tablish their own businesses. Their contribution to the communities where they live is immense." Creeway Aviation was launched in 2006 to address the growing needs of Northern Manitoba's avia- award, over 20 nominees and 4 winners have been recognized and honoured. To date, almost $100,000 has been raised with pro- ceeds going to support stu- dents in the Asper Aboriginal Business Education Partners program. The pro- gram now boasts over 50 graduates! The stories behind the success of these community business leaders motivate and BY MARTIN ZEILIG tion industry, according to provided infor- mation. "We offer our customers a powerful re- Kateri: source with our facility based at the Thomp- son Airport," says the company's website. "Being at the center of Manitoba, our prime geographic location allows us to pro- vide aircraft charter and maintenance ser- vices right where you do business." Clarke's firm, which is 100 per cent First Nation's owned and operated, specializes in offering group insur- ance and pension plan services to First Nation companies and govern- ments. "We are committed to TIM SWEENY providing our customers with the highest quality of service possible and dedicated to providing our personnel with con- tinuous education, train- ing and support," says Clarke. The first Indigenous person from North America to be canonized UOI OFFICES (Nipissing FN) October 19, 2012 – The Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee acknowl- edges that many First Nations citizens are getting ready for the first Indigenous person from North America to be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI this Sunday. "With the long history that some of our citizens have had with the Roman Catholic Church, it is a long-awaited recognition of the role that Kateri Tekakwitha played in be- ing a spiritual role model and now a Saint," says Grand Council Chief Madahbee. "It is well-known that some First Nations people talk to their ancestors so now the faithful will have a special Saint to rely on." NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 23 Continued on page 5 Thank You The past five years have come and gone faster than I could have ever imagined. It has been my distinct honour to Chief Keith McCaskill Winnipeg Police Service I wish to thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in this fashion serve our community as the Chief of Police. But, as I promised my wife Grace when I took the position, it would only be for five years. So now, we will set out to enjoy our retirement together. The hours have been long, and the challenges steep, but serving as the Chief of Police has been incred- ibly rewarding and I wish to thank you for the opportunity to serve our com- munity in this fashion. Looking back, I think we have moved the Winnipeg Police Service forward. I have tried to lead by example and that has meant making deci- sions with the community's needs at the core of everything we've set out to do. I am equally honoured by the support and participation we have received from the community. This support has made all of the differ- ence in the world. When it comes to crime preven- tion and intervention, police agen- cies are almost always front and centre. But as I have said many times, we cannot operate in isolation or solve the issues our community faces without the participation of all the stakeholder groups and commit- ted citizens. We've had the help of some tre- mendous community partners. I don't think many Winnipeggers have a true sense of all the important work being in the community – par- ticularly the Aboriginal community – that have made our jobs as police officers a little easier and our com- munity a safer more enjoyable place to live and work. Working together, we can and will create a safer community. Rest assured, there is plenty more work to be done. I, like my fellow citi- zens, certainly look forward to watch- ing the organization continue to build on what we have accomplished. The Service is in good hands with BacTech Environmental ½ HZ (8x78), full colour PBS # 3330419 a strong leadership team and the re- cent announcement that Superinten- dent Devon Clunis will be taking over as the next Chief of Police. He will assume the role of Act- ing Chief as of October 10. A formal Swearing in Ceremony is planned for later this fall. Superintendent Clunis is a kind, caring and committed member of our organization. He has served the po- lice service for more than 25 years and he shares my vision for stronger relationships between our organiza- tion and the community. His appointment comes at a time of both challenge and change for the Winnipeg Police Service. He will as- sume leadership as we prepare to open new police headquarters in a renewed and vibrant downtown. He will also be responsible for imple- menting recommendations that flow from the Operational Review that is about to be undertaken to seek op- erational and financial efficiencies. Superintendent Clunis began his career with the Winnipeg Police Ser- vice in 1987. He has served in major areas of the organization including uniform patrol, traffic, plainclothes investigation, community relations, organizational development, and duty office, as well as a number of administrative leadership roles. Prior to assuming the role of Acting Chief, Clunis was the Superintendent re- sponsible for the Service's Develop- ment Support Branch. I am certain those of you who have not had the opportunity to work with him in the past will come to ap- preciate all he brings to the table. With that, I will sign off my final column with a heartfelt thank you, once again, for your support over these past five years. Your willing- ness to step forward to help us more clearly identify community concerns and opportunities for building a bet- ter police service has made this job far more enjoyable than you will ever know.

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