VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2 NOVEMBER 2011 north central news

Growing communities one idea at a time. Annual Community Futures Conference hosted by Community Futures North Central Development Community Futures North no other. That promise included ties that exist in the North,” said Central Development (CFNCD), in an "outside the box" and "outside Frances McIvor, Chair of CFNCD. partnership with Community the classroom" concept that was This edition of North Central Futures Cedar Lake and well received by delegates. News is dedicated completely to Community Futures Greenstone “We were so proud to play host highlighting the three days our hosted the annual Community to the 100+ who participated in guests spent in northern Futures Conference September this year’s event. It truly was the experiencing their northern 20th - 22nd, 2011 and promised prime opportunity to showcase Adventure. to deliver an event that was like economic diversity and opportuni- Welcome to northern Manitoba!! Upon arrival in Thompson delegates took advan- tage of some of the area's spectacular recreational activities. Some of our group ventured to Paint Lake Provincial Park to take in a guided fishing trip, others visited the Thompson Golf Club for a round of golf and a third group toured the City of Thompson with local tour guides Don Fulford and Michelle Pruder. Tuesday evening’s Welcome Reception at Riverlodge Place was a treat for all featur- ing northern cuisine - moose stew, smoked lake trout, wild rice stuffed cherry tomatoes and bannock. Welcome remarks were provided by local dignitaries and delegates had the chance to puruse the impressive artwork of northern artists Robert Pegalo, Irvin Head The Tataskweyak Nation Starlite Dancers and Jasyn Lucas. The evening’s provided toe-tapping, get- TOP: entertainment included the Split out-of-your-seat entertain- CFNCD Chairperson Frances ment at the Riverlodge McIvor welcomes delegates to the annual confer- Lake Square Dancers and the Place at Tuesday evening’s ence. Below: Artist, friend and previous client of music of Al Starling, another local Welcome Reception. CFNCD - Jasyn Lucas was one of the artists on- favorite. hand to showcase his wares. 2 north central news NOVEMBER 2011 Mobile Learning Sessions provide delegates an out of the classroom learning opportunity The conference planning com- mittee opted for motivational, educational, and (most important- ly) hands-on experiences for dele- gates in place of the typical class- room setting workshops that make up a conference. Delegates had their choice Wednesday after- noon of three exciting mobile learning sessions.

#1: ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION: Participants in this mobile learn- ing session toured two examples of businesses who have diversi- Delegates at Vale’s open pit mine learn about diversification fied the economy of northern and clustering opportunities. Manitoba. Vale (formerly Inco) is Thompson’s new world-class jet #2 TOURISM: the nickel mine that founded engine testing facility. A workshop Participants in this whirlwind Thompson in the 1950’s. Today on economic diversification (pre- session travelled to Churchill, MB the mine continues to be a major sented by Judy McMillan-Evans via a Calm Air charter. The group employer in the north. A tour of and Tobey Williams of Community of 34 was greeted at the airport by the open pit mine provided dele- Futures Alberta) and a presenta- Frontiers North Adventures, Town gates with intimate insight into the tion by the Thompson Economic of Churchill and Churchill Thompson operations. The group Diversification Working Group Chamber of Commerce reps. The also had the opportunity to visit (Michelle Drylie of Replan) were afternoon included a tour of Glacier / MDS Aerotest - also highlights of this session. Churchill, lunch aboard a Tundra Buggy at Cape Merry and a clos- ing reception at the Tundra Inn. Most importantly however, was the one-on-one opportunity dele- gates had to speak with major tourism players in Churchill about tourism as an economic opportu- nity.

Story continued on page three.

Pictured LEFT: Delegates at MDS Aerotest - Thompson’s he jet engine testing facility stop for a photo under the test stand. NOVEMBER 2011 north central news 3

Mobile Learning Sessions from page two Hope, Vision, Action message for Thompson youth Community Futures North Central Development partnered with the School Board of Mystery Lake to offer a second presen- tation from entrepre- neur and keynote speaker Frank O’Dea. Mr. O’Dea attended #3 BUSINESS & by Brad Regehr of D’Arcy & Deacon the high school in ABORIGINAL Law Firm. To top off the day dele- Thompson - RD Parker RELATIONS: gates were welcomed to the onsite Collegiate in the after- Participants in this session learned cultural centre where Susan Kobliski noon of September about the partnership between (Cultural Coordinator) gave an 22nd to present his Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and overview of the historic importance of message on Hope, Manitoba Hydro and how the the land and the cultural training each Vision and Action. The Aboriginal culture was included in Wuskwatim employee receives. story of how he went every aspect of the Wuskwatim Special thanks to the MB Hydro team from panhandling for Generation Construction Project. who organized our tour of the site and nickels and dimes not Participants toured the construction acted as tour guides for the day - so many years ago, to site that when complete will become a Lynn Glennon, Tim Armstrong, Gary the successes he has 200-megawatt generating station. An Sawisky, Paul Oblander and Gord achieved today was informative workshop on duty to con- Dumas. meant to inspire youth sult legal responsibilities was delivered to believe nothing is out of reach. The pres- entation was followed by a question and answer period and sev- eral one-on-one dis- cussions with students.

Pictured LEFT: Delegates in Churchill, MB explored tourism as an economic strategy. Photo taken behind the community complex with inukshuk and Hudson Bay as backdrop 4 north central news NOVEMBER 2011 Newman and O’Dea: Tales from the past, hopes for the future The following article on the con- Newman spoke on Tuesday and shoot your customers.” ference’s keynote speakers ran in opened with some light-hearted The point being made by the Thompson Citizen, September humor and stories of his time work- Newman was that company towns 28, 2011 ing as a gold miner in Val-d'Or, had to be loyal and not function in Quebec. He presented mayor Tim a wild frontier like manner such as Article By Matt Durnan Johnston with a beaver skin hat in the United States [email protected] that was later passed around for “Back then, everything west of the crowd to have a closer look at. Kenora was an HBC town, and at Riverlodge Place played host to a Newman then went into the bulk that point HBC owned about one- couple of celebrated Canadians of his speech, talking about the twelfth of the world's territory, so it last week as Community Futures roots of business in the North, with was the standard to be unwaver- North Central Development brought the Hudson Bay Company. ingly loyal.” in writer and journalist Peter C. When the floor was opened up Newman, and Frank O'Dea, the for questions, Newman was asked former homeless alcoholic, who what he would like to see for the went onto found the Second Cup future of Thompson and what can coffee chain in 1975 in a classic be done to reach their goals. rags to riches story – for the 2011 “I think this city has great poten- Manitoba Community Futures tial, when I was flying in I see a lot Conference here Sept. 20-22. of empty space around that can be Newman spoke Wednesday and expanded to and utilized,” said O'Dea did likewise on Thursday. Newman, “what I'd really like to see Both speakers drew a sizable would be for your university crowd of people into the large (University College of the North) to meeting hall, and were both become a really specialized univer- received with enthusiasm and sity in some facet, so that it would applause. gain prestige. That way you not The two guests of honor come only keep everyone here but you're from very different walks of life; drawing in new people at the same Newman a long established writer CF North Central Development time.” and journalist who emigrated to Manager Tim Johnston with keynote The phrase “survival of the fittest” speaker Peter C. Newman Canada from Czechoslovakia dur- is one that may be very commonly ing the Second World War, and “The Canadian business style recognized, but Newman sub- O'Dea, a former homeless alcoholic really fits into how we as Canadians scribes to a different mantra, and turned entrepreneurial icon, respon- are as a people,” said Newman, “If that is “survival of the most adapt- sible for almost single-handedly you look at our past, we don't have able”. changing the coffee industry to the history of civil wars and geno- “The world is in a constant state what it is today. cide that the United States has. I of change and it's almost a new While their pasts differ in count- think that our model of doing busi- world every six weeks now. We're less ways, their speeches on con- ness began with the Hudson Bay seeing a real acceleration of history, secutive days managed to resonate Company, and that there wasn't and the ones who make that history with similarities as well as a sense any open Indian warfare, part of the are the ones who can best adapt.” of chronological order. Bay's motto was, you should never Continued on page 4 NOVEMBER 2011 north central news 5 Newman and O’Dea continued from page four Fast forward to day two of guest same price as regular size.” ed, you know what there are two speakers, and enter Frank O'Dea, O'Dea stressed the point that if types of wine, red and white, you whose speech largely reflected the you offer value as far as a quality take your pick. This made wine point of adapting and changing in product, then you will attract the much more friendly and much less order to succeed in today's econo- consumer. Much of O'Dea's speech intimidating a decision for the aver- my. was fixated on the concept of red age consumer. This company is O'Dea began his journey on the ocean vs. blue ocean, where red now the most powerful Australian corner of Shuter and Jarvis streets ocean signifies a bloody and com- wine company in the world.” in downtown Toronto. petitive market and the blue ocean Not unlike the conclusion to “It's not the best area, and when I is virtually untapped with possible Newman's visit, O'Dea was asked was there, it was a lonely dirty and new consumers. what he sees for the future of sometimes violent existence,” said “If everyone in the red ocean is Thompson. O'Dea, “I was using whatever competing for the same thing, you “I'd like to see Thompson to be money I could scrape up from pan- have to set yourself apart and seen as not just a mining town but handling to buy wine and sleep in change the market,” said O'Dea, as a resource centre to the whole flop houses.” who went on to cite examples of North,” said O'Dea, “everyone Procrastination, O'Dea says, is companies that have followed this should strive to be the best in what- one of the worst things if you want model and are wildly successful. ever it is they're doing, I'd like to to be successful. Companies such as Yellow Tail see Vale strive to become the best “I'd always tell myself, tomorrow wines, and Samsung. mining company in the world. In the I'm going to stop drinking and get a “For the longest time no one but end we all want the same thing, job,” said O'Dea, “but tomorrow serious connoisseurs knew any- and that's to leave this place just a would come and I'd go back to thing about wine. There's all these little bit better than we found it, and drinking. If you want to get some- vintages and styles and years to that starts today, not tomorrow, thing done you need to take action remember,” said O'Dea, “then today.” today, when you put it in the tomor- along came Yellow Tail, who decid- row pile, that's where it stays.” When he did manage to get sober, O'Dea was unemployable for six months, with no home and pan- handling as his only work experi- ence. In 1974 in Oakville, Ontario he met Tom Culligan and the two struck up a partnership that led to the founding of Second Cup. “When we first started, we were in a 164-square-foot kiosk at Scarborough Town Centre,” said O'Dea “the coffee market was down and we were losing money. Then one day Tom and I were sit- ting at Baskin Robbins eating ice cream staring at our coffee store, Keynote speaker Frank O’Dea with Tamy Burton (CFNCD conference when we had the idea to sell sam- planning committee), delegate Dawn Sands from the Thompson ple sized cups of coffee at the Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. and volunteer Liz Sousa. 6 north central news NOVEMBER 2011 WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING The conference offered several Thompson community champi- award-winning Spirit Way project. other educational opportunities on Volker Beckmann facilitated a CFNCD partnered with including the following workshops workshop on MARKETING COM- Community Futures Manitoba to and training: MUNITY BASED ASSETS to dele- offer training for CF staff and Two sessions were delivered on gates on the third day of the con- board on the topics of EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION ference. The session explored LENDING POLICIES, principles of by our partners from Community how projects can go beyond the loan decision making and loan Futures Alberta. Judy McMillan- scope of business and the munic- administration and monitoring. Evans and Tobey Williams facilitat- ipality when he highlighted the ed an indepth look at Thompson as a case study for diversification (in particular the Vale nickel mine and Glacier / MDS Aerotest jet Volker Beckmann engine testing facility). speaks to Participants in this workshop left a packed house on with practical tools to take back to how to their communities and information effectively on future professional develop- market communi- ment opportunities. Community ty based Futures Alberta offers online stud- assets. ies in diversification.

Banquet wraps up 2011 conference This year’s conference banquet celebrated the communities and people of northern Manitoba. 2011 MANITOBA COMMUNITY FUTURES CONFERENCE: DISCOVER A NORTHERN ADVENTURE! Each table at the banquet was Gala Banquet themed to a different communi-

YOUR TABLE THEME IS ty in the north and community WAR LAKE FIRST NATION ambassadors were on hand to War Lake First Nation is located north of Thompson about 300 miles on the speak about their railway tracks.War War Lake Lake First has Nationa population is adjacent of about to the 250 Town people of Ilford.off and on reserve.

War Lake is a peaceful community, it’s members have a strong sense of home. community and many annual communityand an annual events fish including fry. War Lake Indian Days, an annual Winter Carnival (featuring the square dance competition), Mother’s Day Brunch

Our Chief is Betsy Kennedy,between Councillors the ages are Raymondof 18 - 45 Spence years. and Philip Morris. Chief and Council serve a 3-year term. War Lake’s population is mostly young families 2011 MANITOBA COMMUNITY FUTURES CONFERENCE: DISCOVER A NORTHERN ADVENTURE! War Lake recently completed their convenience store and a new water treatment plant. The community is in the processwhich of isbuilding an ongoing 2 new process. five-bedroom units for our larger families. We are still meeting to secure more treaty lands within our TLE agreement, Gala Banquet

War Lake is in partnership wtih , York Factory First Nation andKeeyask Fox Lake project. First Nation Project under is set the to MBstart Hydro this year. $5.6 billion dollar YOUR TABLE THEME IS THE COMMUNITY OF

Wabowden is a picturesque small community nestled between Bowden, Bucko, Rock Island lakes. It’s Cree name, Mescanaganeek means "steel road" Mile 137 or WabowdenHudson's Bayis a Companyhistorical tradersmeeting place of the

Trapping, beenfishing, key logging economic and factors recently for opened the survival mining of industry Wabowden have always

Grandma Florence,more one than of 50 the children first mid-wife's into to this of the world. north has brought Banquet guests were treated to the hilarious comedic entertain- Gardening isconditions flourishing of inthe Wabowden, north and of the course community the best boasts water the best soil ment of Big Daddy Tazz and a spectacular meal catered by local chef Joe Perreira and his team. MANY THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS! Charlene Lafreniere, Tanna Teneckye, Judy Kolada (Thompson), Angeline Flett (), Bunny Burke (Flin Flon), Rick Ducharme (The Pas), Frances McIvor (Wabowden), Wayne Anderson ( Cree Nation), Glen Flett (Norway House), Lillian Spence (War Lake First Nation), Charlene Mercredi (). north central news NOVEMBER 2011 7 The 2011 Community Futures Conference was CFNCD BOARD made possible by this amazing group of people, OF DIRECTORS businesses and organizations CHURCHILL: Vacant SPONSORS: CROSS LAKE C.C.: Darlene Beck NICKEL LEVEL: SILVER LEVEL: Aboriginal Business Development Tourism North, Thompson CROSS LAKE F.N.: Program, Vale, MB Hydro, Regional Airport Authority, Ryan Castel Community Futures Manitoba, Assiniboine Credit Union, The FOX LAKE F.N.: Vacant, Calm Air Burntwood Hotel Alternate: John Lundie GOLD LEVEL: BRONZE LEVEL: GILLAM: Curtis Belfour Frontiers North Adventures, Kendall Pandya, Days Inn, ILFORD: Jim Chornoby Business Development Bank Thompson Unlimited of Canada, MTS NELSON HOUSE C.N.: Marcel Moody, Alternate: VOLUNTEERS: Shirley Linklator Michelle Pruder, Kaylee Brabant, Angelica Matiasek, Phil Calnitsky, Betty NELSON HOUSE C.C.: Landego, Tanna Teneckye, Laura Finlay, Adele Sweeney, Maggie Taylor, Vacant Bruce Krentz, Tara Ellingson, Leslie Tucker, Liz Sousa and Rhonda McDonald. NORWAY HOUSE C.C.: Glen Flett CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE: COMMUNITY FUTURES NORTH COMMUNITY FUTURES NORWAY HOUSE C.N.: Wayne Anderson CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT: GREENSTONE: Frances McIvor, Tim Johnston, Bunny Burke, Joe Buie SPLIT LAKE C.N.: Norman Flett Tamy Burton, Charlene Grant, COMMUNITY FUTURES Leann Brown PIKWITONEI: Angeline Flett, MANITOBA: Alternate: Bill Cordell COMMUNITY FUTURES Jason Denbow, Christine Landry CEDAR LAKE: THICKET PORTAGE: THOMPSON UNLIMITED: Charlene Mercredi, Rick Ducharme, Joe Cote Mark Matiasek Alternate: William Brightnose VALE: THOMPSON: Judy Kolada Penny Byer WABOWDEN: Frances SERVICES PROVIDED BY: McIvor, Alternate: Juniper Centre Inc.(Catering), Chris Sundevic Photography, Randi Radesic Reg Meade Events Supply and Decorating, After Dark Productions (Music & Sound), WAR LAKE F.N.: Lillian Norwave Communications (AV Tech), Joe Perreira (Catering), Thompson Ski Spence, Alternate: Club (Serving Staff), Greyhound Bus Lines, Calm Air, MB Hydro, Frontiers North Roy Ouskin Adventures (Churchill Mobile Learning Session), Town of Churchill, Churchill YORK LANDING: Vacant Chamber of Commerce, Al Meston, Mike McDonald, Ken Bigelo, Larry Roy, Volker Beckmann, Community Futures Alberta (Judy McMillan-Evans, Tobey VOLUNTEERS: Williams), Thompson Golf Course, Don Fulford, TCN Starlite Dancers, Thompson Firefighters Association (Bartending), Jasyn Lucas, Robert Pegalo, THOMPSON: Danae Irvin Head, D’Arcy & Deacon Lawfirm (Brad Regehr), Al Starling, MDS Aerotest, McCullough, Society for Paint Lake Marina, Thompson Economic Diversification Working Group, Manitobans with Disabilities Riverlodge Place, The Burntwood Hotel, Lima Janitorial, Speedpro Signs, Arctic THOMPSON: Gary Ceppetelli Signs, Thompson Citizen, Shaw Cable, CBC North Country, Thompson Ford, THOMPSON: Roxie Binns, Boston Pizza, Canadian Tire, Crazy Pete's Trading Post, Don Johnson Jewelers, Thompson Unlimited City of Thompson, All Season Parts, Arctic Trading Company, ET Blades, Doug’s Source for Sports, Northern Flavours, Thompson Chamber of Commerce. 8 north central news NOVEMBER 2011 CFNCD Staff Members Vale Reception Wednesday evening had the delegates come together for a reception at Riverlodge Place hosted by Thompson’s nick- el mine - Vale. The informa- tive evening featured com- TIM JOHNSTON TAMY BURTON pany ambassadors from MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER the many different mine departments and hands on, interactive displays, not to mention great food and company!

KAYLEE BRABANT MICHELLE PRUDER ADMIN ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

CHARLENE GRANT LEANN BROWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICER DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

TOP: Ryan Land from Vale wel- comes delegates to the reception.

ABOVE: Joe Cote from CF Cedar Lake tries out the mine simulator.

ANGELICA MATIASEK PHIL CALNITSKY LEFT: One of the many displays DEVELOPMENT OFFICER BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER set up at the reception gave an insider look at Vale operations.

BELOW: Delegates take a break to enjoy some of the evening’s refreshments.

PETER ROSENFELD ABORIGINAL BUSINESS CANADA