Economic Development
Mission Statement
To promote and enhance economic opportunities including the provision of program/service delivery, to Band Members in varying aspects of economic development, with major emphasis in the areas of privately-owned businesses; the development of employment and training opportunities; and rendering of advisory services in all aforementioned sectors.
Overview
In the early 70's the Economic Development Program was transferred from the Department of Indian Affairs to the Moose Cree First Nation. Following the transfer an Economic Development officer was hired. Since then the staffing has grown to seven (7) permanent positions and the Economic Development Program now consists of the following units: General Administration, Employment / Training, Business Development and the Tourism Unit.
In a strive to improve the standards of living on our Reserve the governing body, namely the Moose Cree First Nation has sanctioned a two-fold approach to Economic Development. The delivery systems were devised and implemented. The First to come into existence was the Economic Development Program. The second was the Moose Band Development Corporation. The primary responsibility of the Economic Development Program is the delivery of programs and services to the membership, local businesses as well as organizations. The Corporation's main responsibility is to pursue business opportunities on behalf of Moose Cree First Nation. The funding arrangements also distinguishes the differences between the two economic development components. For example, the main source of funding for the Economic Development Program is Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. The Corporation counterbalances its expenses from revenue generated from business activities. Furthermore, each component operates under the auspices of separate board/committee. The chief mission of both, the Program and Corporation, embraces the local government's aspirations and mission, which is to improve the standard of living for the community.
To cover the Program's operating expenses, Moose Cree First Nation receives from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada $164,000.00 annually. Due to inadequate funding the operating budget is subsidized by other Program-generated revenues. The operating budget offsets administrative expenses such as salaries and benefits; it also permits the First Nation to give grants and loans to individuals interested in starting a business; in addition, it allows the First Nation to contribute, financially, to job creation and training projects. On average the Program generates approximately 1.2 million dollars annually.
The Economic Development Program has played a role in most of the community development. The following are selected examples:
- Water and sewer project
- Re-activation of Moose Band Development Corporation
- Housing Projects
- Moose Cree Commercial Complex
- Thomas Cheechoo Jr. Memorial Complex
Key Objectives
Business Development - To create the conditions under which, both local and regional business initiatives can prosper, taking into full consideration the cultural uniqueness of aboriginal clientele and simultaneously enriching the local economic social environment.
Training - To increase employability capabilities via development of local human resources through various means, including, but not limited to, specializing training opportunities which will counter the skills shortage problems of the community and also meet the demands for training from community members.
Employment - To create employment opportunities, for interested Band Members, in all sectors, and to decrease barriers to employment, bring into existence conditions which will permit acquisition of meaningful practical work experience and also meet the manpower demands of employers.
Tourism - To create new economic opportunities by cultivating the conditions conductive to the development of the local and regional tourism industry.
Advisory - To create a medium by which clients of the Economic Development Program will be encouraged to pursue their goals.
Other - To formulate and implement a plan which will ensure proficiency in the delivery of services and to assure advancement in an orderly manner in all aspects of economic development.
Unit Description
General Administration - Responsible for all sub-units within the Moose Cree First Nation Economic Development Program; directs and supervises the development, implementation of economic development projects; advocates, develops, organizes, monitors, evaluates and directs a process in support of community economic development.
Employment/Training Unit - In addition to offered advisory services to clientele, the Employment/Training Unit co-ordinates services and activities and training needs of Moose Cree First Nation Membership. It identifies, analyzes and address skills shortages that exist within the community. It also strives to secure funding on behalf of its clientele.
Business Development Unit - Co-ordinates services and activities which foster and promote a developmental environment capable of supporting small business. The Business Development Unit offers, to aspiring entrepreneurs, advisory services and financial assistance. Financial assistance may be in the form of grant or loan. Advisory services encompass all aspects of business development from the conceptual to the implementation stage. Based on the needs of the community, the Business Development Unit handles business ventures that are more risky and less viable.
Tourism Unit - Plans, organizes, directs, implements, and manages tourism related initiatives by researching, developing, implementing selected tourism projects; works closely with other staff members, organizations, businesses, and individuals to facilitate and promote the development of the tourism industry.
Tourism Initiatives
Washow James Bay Wilderness Centre: This state-of-the-art facility in combination with traditional villages will offer culturally oriented experiences year round. Visitors will, if they so desire, participate in all aspects of Cree camp life.
Tidewater Goose Camp: This camp offers goose hunting as well as catch and release fishing services.
Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre: This attraction offers a view of the James Bay Cree culture. It consists of outdoor and indoor exhibits.
Kesagami Lake (Fishing) Lodge: Moose Cree First Nation has recently acquired 40% of this venture. This venture also consists of floatplane operations. One hundred percent ownership is anticipated in the near future.
Moose Cree Outdoor Discoveries & Adventures: Community Tours from the Cree perspective are offered under this initiative. In addition, culturally oriented experiences consisting of one (1) to five (5) days Wilderness Expeditions, are delivered. To date well over five hundred (500) guests have been accommodated from various countries around the world. As well, in partnership with two separate companies, two skiing expeditions with a cultural component have been implemented each year.
Economic Development Committee
The program operates under the auspices of the Moose Cree First Nation Economic Development Committee and the said committee is directly accountable to the Moose Cree First Nation Council. Currently, the Committee consists of seven members; three are members of MCFN Council and four are from the general membership. They are as follows:
Vacant, Councillor/Chairperson
Mr Earl Cheechoo, Councillor/Vice-Chair
Ms Mildred Alisappi, Councillor
Mr Donald Faries, Band Member
Mr Arthur Morrison, Band Member
Ms Caroline Innes, Band Member
Ms Stella Schimmens, Band Member
Contact
Director of Economic Development
Juliet Rickard
juliet.rickard@moosecree.com
Administrative Assistant
Gloria Rickard
gloria.rickard@moosecree.com
Employment/Tourism Officer
Shannon Trapper
shannon.trapper@moosecree.com
Project Officer
Peter Katapaytuk
peter.katapaytuk@moosecree.com
Business Development Officer
Vacant
Special Projects Officer
Linda Trudeau
linda.trudeau@moosecree.com
Tourism Project Officer
Clarence Trapper
clarence.trapper@moosecree.com
Ticket Clerk Trainee
Kim O’Connor
kim.oconnor@moosecree.com
Washow Marketing Manager
Becky Pelkonen
becky.pelkonen@moosecree.com
Washow Sales Marketing Assistant Trainee
Beverly Echum
beverly.echum@moosecree.com
Washow Operations Manager
Sinclair Trapper
sinclair.trapper@moosecree.com