Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River) • Conne River is located on the south coast of Newfoundland, 145 kms from Grand Falls- Windsor, NL. • The area is known as the “Coast of Bays Region”. Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River) • There are approximately • Band Administration Building 850 Band members residing on the Reserve. • These Band members are employed in various roles such as: Nurses, Educators, Trades People, Business People, Lawyers, Care Givers. Qualified Band members make up over 90% of the current work force. Employment • Band members are • House construction employed in various using the ice block fields ranging from system Labors to Lawyers • All of the major construction within the Reserve is carried out by qualified Band members (trades people) Miawpukek First Nation Brief History • In 1872, land located • Chief Rubin Louis in Conne River was with his family, set aside as a Colonial around early 1800 Reserve by Governor William McGregor. • Conne River became recognized as a Federal “Indian Act” Reserve in 1987. Conne River Today • Today Conne River is referred to as a model • Conne River 2004 First Nation Community, with nearly 100% employment. • Paved roads. • Clean drinking water. • Affordable housing. • Justice department. • Education system. • Health and wellness system. Traditions and Customs • First Nation Community Annual Powwow Economic Development takes into consideration, 6 elements in its planning cycle. 1 Culture 2 Tradition 3 Spiritual 4 Social 6 Political and Organizational 5 Economics Miawpukek Economic Development Organizational Chart Community Economic Development Gerard Joe Director Phoebe Foster EDO Community plann Business dev. Dave Joe Clleen Lambert OPS Manager Manager Culture Recreation Gas-bar Garage Cable CRBS MAS Outfitting Denise John Aubrey Joe Culture Rec Supervisior Powwow Mc Donalds area Faron Joe Rita Jenson Guide Maintanance Our Mandate • Oversee current Band businesses. • Develop new business ventures. • Oversee the MFN investment strategy. • Develop MFN tourism. • Support entrepreneurs. • Sponsor and support community and social events. • Development of human resources within the department. • Access new funding for projects and business ventures. • Identify new opportunities. • Identify and develop new projects/businesses. • Support other departments. • Carry out pre-feasability and feasability studies. • Aboriginal youth career fair. Number of Employees Under the Department • Administration - 3 Band Members • Conne River Gas-Bar - 9 Band Members. • Conne River Garage - 8 Band Members. • Conne River Building Supplies - 7 Band Members. • Conne River Outfitters - Approximately 10 Band Members. • Micmac Air Services - 2 Band Members. • Miawpukek Cable/Internet - 1 Band Member. • Tourism Development - 2 Band Members • Powwow construction - 6 Band members. • Total Number of Employees within Economic Dev Dept – 47. Total Operating Budget • Administration - $118, 846 • Powwow infrastructure $89,000.00 • Micmac Air Service - $56, 910 • Miawpukek Gas Bar - $1, 277, 250 • Miawpukek Garage - $188, 888 • Miawpukek Cablevision - $46, 129 • Conne River Outfitters - $224, 730 • Tourism Development - $19,525 • Conne River Building Supplies - $604, 287 • Dock construction $90,000.00 • Apartment complex $608,000.00 (07) • Total - $3,576,420.00 Our Challenges • Maintaining our cultural identity. • Access to Government funds for business development. • Access to resources (land). • Recognition of our Aboriginal rights within Newfoundland and Canada. • Understanding within the general population the social and economic contribution aboriginal people contribute to the region, Province and Canada. • Changing the way we do business, internally and externally. • Convincing all levels of Government, they have a role to play in the survival of First Nation Communities. • Continue to market aboriginal communities as a place to do business. • Aboriginal communities are not all created equal, the media only portrays the negative aspects surrounding aboriginal communities, never or rarely do the media portray the positive aspects and accomplishments of Aboriginal communities. • Geographic location. • Population growth. How to overcome Our Challenges • Sound leadership within the community and First Nations Government. • Recognition of our Aboriginal Rights. • Access to Land (resources) • Vision, with achievable goals and objectives. • Develop the human resources within the First Nations Community. • Develop businesses within the community and put in place support mechanism to assist in developing and support business ventures. • Develop partnerships within the community, region, nationally and internationally. • Identify other First Nations Communities that are successful. • Identify other successful communities, share best practices. • Recognition by all levels of Government. • Operate effective, efficient, and accountable First Nations Governments. • Gain credibility. • Develop all aspects of community economic development, Social, Culture, Spiritual, and Economics. Conne River Today • Glen John Arts and Craft Building Conne River Today • Giving Band members the means to build and own their homes Conne River Today • Tourism Opportunities Conne River Today • Tourism Opportunity Conne River Today • Tourism Opportunities Miawpukek First Nation Conne River • Promoting our future while preserving our past.