january/february 2018 1 edopresident of corporate development for cenith energy corporation and had...

1 edo.caJanuary/February 2018

2Cando Connect January/February 2018


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SEPT/OCT 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 3

Introducing Cando’s New Board Members

Cando Conference Fredericton

BC Links to Learning Richmond

Community Economic Development Initiative

Share your Story: Community Futures, Sun Country

Share your Story: Activ8

NIEEF Scholarship: Kandice Charlie

NIEEF Scholarship: Sheila Peter-Paul

NIEEF Scholarship: Quinn Meawasige

Cover image: Gingerbread houseon display at the SheratonVancouver Airport Hotel inRichmond, BC - site of the 2017 BCLinks to Learning event. See morestarting on page 12.Photo: Paul Macedo

Cando Connect Magazine isproduced by Cando under thedirection of Paul Macedo,Communications Officer.If you have any story ideas and/orsuggestions for improvingCando Connect please contactPaul directly at:e: [email protected]: 1-800-463-9300 ext 236p: 780-990-0303 ext 236f: 780-429-7487

26 16 24


The Cando Board and Staff wish our members, stakeholders, supporters and friendsa 2018 filled with happiness, good health and prosperity.

We at Cando are very excited for the coming year – not only are we going tocontinue with our successful initiatives (First Nations / Municipal Community EconomicDevelopment Initiative) and learning events (Links to Learning in Alberta,Saskatchewan and BC) but we are also planning to introduce several new initiativesand additional learning/training opportunities to meet the growing needs of ourmembership.

The latest event organized by Cando was the 2017 BC Links to Learning held inDecember in Richmond, BC. More than 250 people participated in the three day trainingand networking event. Dozens of workshops, led by experts in a range of economicand land development related disciplines, were delivered to meet the diverse needsof nearly 200 First Nations Economic Development Officers (EDOs) and LandsManagement Officers (LMOs) from communities throughout BC. The goal of all Linksto Learning events is to deliver a dynamic technical training forum for First NationEDOs and LMOs to enhance their ability to undertake successful lands and economicdevelopment ventures. Successful land management and economic developmentinitiatives are key to building healthy, thriving First Nations communities.

Cando will now begin work with its partners, National Aboriginal Lands ManagersAssociation and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to make plans for the 2018event. For full coverage, including photos, of this year’s BC Links to Learning eventplease turn to page 14 of this issue.

As you know, after many months of preparation, Cando’s 24th Annual NationalConference & AGM, the most innovative economic development conference in Canada,is now behind us. We were fortunate this year to find ourselves in beautiful Fredericton,NB with the opportunity to explore the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples ofthe Mi’kmaq and Wolastoq (Maliseet) traditional territories.

We hope all delegates were inspired by our presenters, panelists and keynotespeakers who brought tremendous knowledge and passion from across the countryand across the globe. The Fredericton conference will be a tough act to follow, but wehave already started planning another fantastic conference for 2018!

Cando’s 25th Annual National Conference and AGM will be held from October 22-25, 2018 at River Cree Resort in Enoch, Alberta (just west of Edmonton) on Treaty 8Territory.

We hope to see you all at Enoch and/or one of the many regional events we haveplanned for 2018! See you soon!

WISHING YOUA HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Tasha BrooksNew National

Student Director

Bob CheethamNew Director

Nunavut

Stanley BarnabyNew Director

New Brunswick & P.E.I.

Congratulations to new Cando Directors

Cando DirectorsKeith Matthew

PresidentDirector -

Southern British Columbia

Edmond CollinsVice President

Director - Ontario

Elaine ChambersSecretary Treasurer

Director - Yukon

Bertram MercerDirector - Northern British

Columbia

Shawna Morning BullDirector - Alberta

Angel WardDirector - Quebec

Trevor C. AcooseDirector - Saskatchewan

Tim DanielsDirector - Manitoba

Amy LizotteDirector - Northwest Territories

Tracy MengeDirector - Nova Scotia,

Newfoundland & Labrador

Cando is please to introducing three new Board Members: Natasha (Tasha) Brooks (National Student Director), BobCheetham (Director-Nunavut), and Stanley Barnaby (Director - New Brunswick and PEI). Each Director has been electedby Cando members from within the region they serve/represent - each will serve for a three-year term. Cando regionalBoard Member elections were held recently in December. Cando is very fortunate to have such amazing individuals join itsBoard. Please take time to read their biographies and see what tremendous skills and experience they will now contributeto Cando.

Congratulations Tasha, Bob and Stanley!

More board information:www.edo.ca/about-cando/board


Natasha (Tasha) Brooks comes from the Cowichan Tribesin Duncan BC, she has recently graduated with an MBA/MsCIB from Vancouver Island University (VIU), and also sheholds a Bachelor of Business Administrations (VIU) andTechnician Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate(Cando). She is deeply committed to the betterment ofIndigenous Education, her community, and lifelong learning.

Her journey through Post-Secondary has led her toFrance for 3 semesters, the UK for experiential learning andto conferences across Canada. There have been manychallenges along the way; her passion for education,mentors, support network, and scholarships have helped herstay on the path to a Doctor of Business Administration. Sheis looking forward to her second semester, with a focustowards strategies Indigenous economic development officersuse to engage entrepreneurship.

Tasha’s aim is to inspire and empower people along theirjourney and progress towards strong unified nations. In herfree time she tutors Indigenous post-secondary students,goes to the gym, and reads.

Tasha BrooksNew NationalStudent Director


Bob CheethamNew Director

Nunavut

Bob Cheetham is presently the Community Economic Development Officer(CEDO) for the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven in Nunavut. He was the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of The Granpreneurs Mentor Inc., a Canadian provider of global internetmarketing, business coaching and community development advisory services. Thepersonal author of several Community Development Action Plans, Mr. Cheethamretired as the Director of Economic Development for the Town of Smiths Falls andhas had extensive experience in developing relationships in Central China andinternational investment in Europe and Central America. Mr. Cheetham is the formerPresident of EcDev Associates Inc., an independent community developmentconsulting company based in Delta, ON. Bob was contracted as the former Managerof Economic Development for the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville responsiblefor regional economic development and has also acted as Director of EconomicDevelopment and community development advisor to the Smooth Rock FallsEconomic Development Corporation. Bob provided advisory services as Vice-President of Corporate Development for Cenith Energy Corporation and hadresponsibilities for corporate development and promotion of the Future House Canadaproject built in Beijing, China during the 2008 Olympic Games.

Mr. Cheetham has extensive experience in strategic planning, businessdiagnostics and community socio-economic development initiatives. With over 35years in both the private and public sector, Mr. Cheetham has been a CommunityDevelopment Economist and Coordinator of the Ministry of Northern Development& Mines, Northern Development Councils and Administrator of the Northern OntarioSelf-Help Business Network.

As a private sector consultant, Mr. Cheetham has undertaken over eighty (80)SWOT Assessments of both not-for-profit and private sector companies. He haspersonally managed the implementation of over fifty (50) ISO 9000 and QS9000Quality Assurance implementation projects, including the registration of the WindsorRegional Cancer Center and the Windsor Laser Eye Institute, both first’s in theirfields of expertise. Mr. Cheetham is the former Chairman of the North Clay Belt AgriNetwork (NCBAN) responsible for overseeing facilitation of development opportunitiesamong twelve communities located between Kirkland Lake and Hearst, Ontario alongthe TransCanada Highway.

Mr. Cheetham has provided consulting services as principal business advisor tothe Ontario office of the Victorian Order of Nurses and was Executive Coordinatorto the Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association, a consortium of fifty-five (55) privatesector manufactures in the Peterborough/Lindsay area.

Mr. Cheetham maintains a well-established network of federal, provincial andmunicipal government representatives and he maintains a personal global contactlist of over 5,400 first level contacts on his LinkedIn profile and over 7,400 followerson Facebook. Bob is well known for his strong interpersonal communication skills,collaborative approach, sound judgment, tact and diplomacy.

A student of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University’s Master of BusinessAdministration Program and graduate of York University’s Schulich School ofBusiness, Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership , Bob has completedcertification as a Certified Master Coach Practitioner (CMCP) by the Certified CoachesFederation (CCF) and specialist certification in Fraud and Forensic Accounting fromthe Ontario Police College, Aylmer, Ontario. Mr. Cheetham is one of a select numberof “Business Network Advisors” certified by the Canadian Chambers of Commerceand Industry Canada (1997) and he has had extensive experience in developinginnovative solutions for fostering proactive business and community socio-economicdevelopment partnerships.


Stanley BarnabyNew DirectorNew BrunswickP.E.I.Taking some specialty courses during his post-secondary education has paid

off handsomely for Stanley Barnaby. The 28-year-old, who is from Quebec’sListuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation, attended the University of New Brunswick, earninghis Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While at UNB, Barnaby alsotook the necessary courses to obtain his First Nations Business AdministrationCertificate. By fulfilling the requirements for this certificate Mr. Barnaby met thecriteria to obtain his Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED) certificatethrough Cando, the national Indigenous organization which promotes economicdevelopment. Barnaby credits his Cando certification with helping him land someof the jobs he has held.

“It certainly helped me with some of the employment I’ve had in my career,”he said. “It being on my resume really helped.”

Mr. Barnaby is currently the Finance … Operations Manager for the JointEconomic Development Initiative (JEDI), based in Fredericton, NB. JEDI promotesIndigenous economic and workplace development to 15 First Nation communitiesthroughout New Brunswick. Barnaby started off as the finance intern at JEDI twoyears ago before he was promoted to his present job, one in which he overseesnumerous ventures.

Besides community economic development, JEDI provides services includingentrepreneurship, apprenticeship and employment counselling to Indigenousindividuals. Before joining JEDI, Barnaby held a pair of jobs in his homecommunity. He was a financial analyst in commercial fisheries, working for theListuguj Mi’gmaq Governement for one summer. And he gained financeexperience working for the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat, also in Listuguj.Barnaby continues to speak highly of Cando.

Mr. Barnaby’s involvement with Cando continues to expand. He’s the chairof Cando’s National Youth Summit Conference. And he was also a member ofCando’s national conference committee. JEDI was co-host of the CandoConference along with the St. Mary’s First Nation. The Conference was held inthe fall of 2017 in Fredericton.

Mr. Barnaby is also a strong believer in giving back. He recently completed amentorship through the Cape Breton University in-business program. Throughthis venture he assisted Indigenous youth from across Atlantic Canada tocomplete assignments covering topics such as finance, accounting and marketing.



Maliseet Traditional Elder Maggie Paul (left) is greeted by Keynote Speaker Hone Mihaka with Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys from New Zealand.Photo: Nelson Cloud



Many conference delegates braved the cool temperatures for a powerful sunrise ceremony held by Elder Imelda Perley along the shore of the Wolastoq.

Photo: Paul Macedo


2017 Cando Conference Stakeholders...

Gold Level

Silver Level

Platinum Level


2017 Cando Conference Stakeholders...

Friend Level

In-Kind Level

Bronze Level



Above: StanWesley(MC), Ray Wanuch(Cando), KeithMatthew (CandoPresident) with 2017National YouthPanel.

Right:Cando

Conference MC- Stan Wesley

Left: Chief Joe Augustine,AFN Regional Chief

Above: Welcome song by Muskrat Singers.

All Photos: Nelson Cloud


Keynote Speaker Manny Jules and Keith Matthew (Cando President)

Above: Breezy Machin (Cando)and MC Stan Wesley.

Above: Checking out the artisans’booths.

Allan Pochies Jr. served as our fabulous tour guide andalso was MC for the President’s Dinner.



Right: First Nations - MunicipalCommunity Economic

Development Initiative (CEDI)


BC Links-to-Learning Welcome

Robert Louie, business leader and former chief of Westbank First Nation delivers his keynote at BC Links to Learning on December 13th. More than200 delegates from First Nations communities throughout British Columbia attended the three-day learning and networking event.


BC Links to Learning is presented by Cando, the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

The 2017 BC Links to Learning washeld at the Sheraton Vancouver AirportHotel in Richmond, B.C. from December12-14th.

More than 200 Land Managers andEconomic Development Officers fromthroughout British Columbia gathered forthree days of workshops led by expertsin a range of economic and landdevelopment related disciplines, and

other opportunities for dialogue andnetworking. Successful landmanagement and economic developmentinitiatives are key to building healthy,thriving First Nations communities.�

Links to Learning is an annualtechnical training forum which provide arange of learning opportunities for FirstNations Economic Development Officersand Lands Management Officers.

The goal of Links to Learning is todeliver a dynamic technical training forumfor First Nation Economic DevelopmentOfficers and Lands Management Officersto enhance their ability to undertakesuccessful lands and economicdevelopment ventures. The eventfocuses on knowledge sharing and skillsenhancement among practitioners at thecommunity level.

Photos: Paul Macedo


BC Links-to-Learning Welcome

Keith Matthew, President of Cando, welcomesthe delegates to BC Links to Learning.

Paul Donald, President of All Nations TrustCompany, served as MC during the event.

Catherine Lappe, Regional Director General ofINAC – BC Region, welcomes the delegates.

Photos: Paul Macedo


BC Links-to-Learning Special Guests

Elder Audrey Rivers opened the Links to Learning event with a prayer forthe delegates and presenters.

Robert Louie, respected business leader was a keynote speaker and alsowas on hand for one on one consultations with delegates.

Photos: Paul Macedo


BC Links-to-Learning Delegates

Delegates at the 2017 BC Links to Learning enjoy a lunch break between workshops and panel sessions. This year’s event was a tremendous successwith increased attendance and participation in the workshops and networking sessions.

Photo: Paul Macedo


BC Links-to-Learning Workshops

(Above) Marissa Lawrence (left) and Tanya Tourangeau delivered aworkshop showcasing the First Nations/Municipal Community EconomicDevelopment Initiative (CEDI).

(Left) Numerous First Nation communities representative wereinterested in learning more about the CEDI process of working togetherwith neighbouring municipalities for mutually beneficial economicdevelopment initiatives.

(Above) Wayne Garnons-Williams delivers a workshop on Inter-TribalTrade opportunities between Canada and the USA.

(Above) Tyrone Joseph with All Nations Development Corporation co-presenting a workshop on Project Financing.


BC Links-to-Learning Trade Show

The BC LInks to LearningTrade Show showcased avariety of businesses andorganizations committed toassisting communitiesidentify, accelerate and/ormaintain their economicdevelopment opportunities.


First Nation – Municipal CEDILessons Learned

By Marissa Lawrence and Tanya TourangeauCEDI team members

Happy New Year from the CEDI team! What a fabulousyear 2017 turned out to be for many First Nation – MunicipalCommunity Economic Development Initiatives (CEDI). OurCEDI partners worked very hard throughout the year buildingstronger relationships and developing plans for jointcommunity economic development (CED). Together, theyembarked on a journey of sharing, understanding and learningwith and from one another, providing our CEDI team with

valuable lessons learned and a deeper understanding of bestpractices that we would like to share with you.

The Importance of Committed Working Groups andTerms of Reference

Consistency and commitment continue to be twofoundational aspects of resilient and effective First Nation –Municipal partnerships. It is key for both communities toprioritize monthly face-to-face working group meetings,ensuring that there is a commitment from elected officialsand staff representatives. The diverse representation is crucial

First Nation – Municipal CEDILessons Learned

Marissa Lawrence (left) and Tanya Tourangeau delivered an interactive workshop showcasing the First Nations - Municipal Community EconomicDevelopment Initiative (CEDI) at BC Links to Learning event held in December in Richmond, B.C.

Photo: Paul Macedo


to a long-lasting partnership, as it allows for a diversity ofperspectives, and ultimately increases understanding andlearning at various levels of the partnership. Together, thesekey components contribute to the partnership’s capacity toovercome community challenges, to capitalize onopportunities, and to move forward on joint initiatives.

In addition, many CEDI partnerships have found successin working group Terms of Reference (TOR), co-designed andformally adopted by way of council resolutions, assisting tostabilize the partnership through inevitable political turnover.

Working with a Tribal CouncilAll CEDI partnerships work to understand each other’s

governance model and jurisdiction; however, this has provento be even more crucial when working with a Tribal Councilthat represents several member First Nations. The balancewithin this type of partnership is to ensure that the TribalCouncil and Municipality select joint CED initiatives thatrespect the sovereignty of the member First Nations andaddress the Tribal Council mandate. This process also allowsthe Municipality to learn more about joint CED opportunitieswith individual Nations, therefore expanding the likelihood ofadditional community to community partnerships.

Working with Economic Development Corporationsand Organizations

Economic development corporations/organizationsprovide key strengths to many CEDI partnerships; for one,they bring additional capacity to the process, and two, theyare highly motivated to generate economic results throughthe partnership. Many CEDI partnerships have learned thatwhile sometimes difficult to do, it is incredibly important tobalance the corporations’ and organizations’ priorities, withthe need to establish a foundational relationship between FirstNation and Municipal political leadership. These key prioritiesoften move at different speeds, so it is therefore necessary tobe realistic about the process and timeline based on theshared goal of long-term First Nation – Municipal partnership.

We look forward to applying these lessons learned andbest practices, among many others, to Phase II CEDIpartnerships that will be on-boarded April 2018. We willcontinue to learn with our partners to grow the StrongerTogether approach to building lasting, resilient partnershipsbetween neighbours, with the overall goal of developing jointCED allowing for shared prosperity for all partner communities.Throughout 2018, we will continue to highlight the progressand success of the CEDI partnerships.

A workshop participant asks a question of Marissa Lawrence (right)concerning the First Nations - Municipal Community EconomicDevelopment Initiative (CEDI) at BC Links to Learning event.

Photo: Paul Macedo


Creativity, says Deb Arnott, is whatshe gives and gets back from herIndigenous-run small business clients.

“I really appreciate the creativity ofthe clients. They’ve taught me a lot,”said Arnott, who serves as generalmanager for Community Futures SunCountry, out of Ashcroft, B.C. “At thebeginning, people are being verycareful, especially if they’re getting aloan. But what I do find is that over timethey become more creative and think,‘Maybe I can do this,’ because it’s builttheir self-confidence.”

And that self-confidence comes froma realistic business plan, whichCommunity Futures helps developbecause many first-time businessoperators haven’t factored everythinginto their decision-making process.

“What they might find, they’re lookingat doing a full time business and oncewe develop a business plan they mightgo, ‘You know what, maybe I should bedoing this part time, just until my lifechanges and the kids get a little bitolder,’” said Arnott. “That’s what I loveabout it. We can mould it to fit theirlifestyle.”

Community Futures Sun Countryhas been working with small businessesfor 30 years. Aboriginal clientele nowaccounts for about 20 per cent of theworkload.

“I see a lot of younger Indigenouswomen looking at opportunities to dotheir business. Some of them are in their30’s and they want to still be home toraise their kids and take care of theirfamilies still so it kind of works for theirlifestyle right now,” said Arnott.

Many such small businesses start offon band land and, depending on theservices or product they’re marketing,they soon recognize that their reach hasto be broader in order for them to beprofitable.

Business counselling is an importantservice, says Arnott.

“We need to know if it’s going to befeasible for them,” she said.

Community Futures Sun Countryalso provides small business loans.

“And for many of our Indigenousclients, they don’t have all the assetssome would have in the rest of thecommunity. So as Community Futures,we definitely look at the high risk, welook at the situation, and we lend oncharacter. That’s really important to us,”said Arnott.

Community Futures Sun Countryalso provides ongoing monthlymentorship.

Success rate is high for CommunityFutures’ Indigenous small businessowners, Arnott notes, with about 75 percent still in business.

Soundbusiness

plans resultin self-

confidence

Deb Arnott

Share Your Story

At the beginning, people are being verycareful, especially if they’re getting a loan. But

what I do find is that over time they becomemore creative and think, ‘Maybe I can do this,’

because it’s built their self-confidence.Photo: Supplied

By Shari NarineCando Contributor


Loa Fridfinnson, co-founder of Activ8Education & Training, is passionateabout tapping the potential of Indigenousyouth.

Funding from the B.C. governmentthis past summer allowed her to offer abusiness confidence building workshopfor Indigenous youth, the fastest growingpopulation in Canada, and showed herthat not only are youth interested inbusiness, but they are also capable.

So now, Activ8 Education is rollingout a Youth Career, Entrepreneurial &Confidence Building Program, which willempower youth to better understandthemselves and their thinking habits,assess what they are passionate aboutand good at, learn about personalmoney management, business and theeconomy, and take steps in their careerpaths.

“We will be introducing the youthprogram to (First) Nations directly andare hoping to get sponsored by a bankor corporation who wants to support thehealth, prosperity and vitality ofCanada’s Indigenous communities,”said Fridfinnson, who notes that 50 per

cent of Indigenous youth are under theage of 28.

But working with youth isn’t the onlyitem on Activ8’s agenda.

Fridfinnson, who has run a marketingagency for 17 years, began working withFirst Nations five years ago, after beingasked by Geena Jackson, consultant,co-facilitator and small business officerat the Squamish Nation, to create andteach a course in social media.

Along with Squamish, Activ8 is nowdeveloping entrepreneurs and growingsmall businesses within thecommunities of Musqueam, Kwitwetlem,Tsleil-Waututh and, most recently, Sto:loNations.

“That I know of, we are the onlyeducator providing entrepreneurialconfidence, marketing, sales and digitalmedia training customized for theIndigenous small business market,” saidFridfinnson.

Activ8’s courses are customized forFirst Nations and offered directly in thosecommunities.

“It’s on Nation land so when studentsand participants come into the class,they’re already feeling comfortablebecause it’s their centre they’re used togoing to,” said Fridfinnson.

To help recruit potential students,Fridfinnson is working on a train-the-trainer program, which will help programmanagers on First Nation’s to moreeffectively market the program andincrease enrollment.

Activ8 also provides resources forfunding and grants, as well as aresource to help write grants.Fridfinnson is also looking to get fundingthat will allow her to offer her courseson line.

“It’s about First Nation membersturning their passions into acommercialized venture,” she said.

Share Your Story

Businesscourses

customizedfor

Indigenousentrepreneurs

Photo: SuppliedActiv8 workshop held at Sto:lo Nation.




A $2,000 scholarship from theNational Indigenous EconomicEducation Fund is a “huge relief” forher family, says recipient KandiceCharlie.

“My husband falling sick for awhile, it was all falling on me tofinancially support us,” said Charlie.“It’s not like we have an extra $1,000for winter tires and we need to keepour family safe and we live remotelyon a reserve. So anything like thatis something I don’t have to worryabout or stress out about.”

Charlie, registered to the Xaxl’ipcommunity of the St’at’imc Nation,lives in Sts’ailes with her husband

and two children. She has spent thepast 10 years working with Sts’ailesleaders and community championson a variety of projects andcommunity initiatives, which hasprovided her with a hands-onapproach to looking at self-determination and economic viabilityand sustainability.

It was with this experience inmind that Charlie decided to pursuean Executive Master of BusinessAdministration program in AboriginalBusiness and Leadership.

“It’s the first of its kind and what Iwanted was to gain knowledge inmainstream business and businessdevelopment area. But what’s

Scholarshipsupports

student inprogram that

serves“my heart

and mybrain”

Scholarshipsupports

student inprogram that

serves“my heart

and mybrain”


“But what’s unique about this program is that it’s woven very

nicely with Aboriginal values and Aboriginal management. In anAboriginal organization it’s not necessarily the same as maybea corporate organization but you kind of get the flavour of both.

unique about this program is that it’swoven very nicely with Aboriginalvalues and Aboriginal management.In an Aboriginal organization it’s notnecessarily the same as maybe acorporate organization but you kindof get the flavour of both,” saidCharlie.

The scholarship money helpswith the costs of living in Vancouverfor six weeks over the seven-monthtime frame needed for her to do hercourse work at the Beedie Schoolof Business at Simon FraserUniversity where she’s enrolled inher second year of the program.Charlie leaves Vancouver with herassignments and can completethem in her home community.

Charlie achieved a 3.83 gradepoint average in her first year.

“Kandice brings a wealth ofcommunity-based knowledge,experience, sensitivity andunderstanding of Indigenous issues,such as governance, social welfare

and economic development,” saidMark Selman, director of the EMBAprogram.

“Her classroom contributionsconsistently show her genuineinterest and passion for hercommunity and family,” said Selman.

Charlie stresses that bothcommunity involvement andconnection with her culture areimportant.

“I do my best to stay informed andinvolved when possible,” she said.“I carry myself as a proud FirstNation’s woman and I encourage ourteaching with my children and thosearound me. I am still growing andeager to learn our culture andtraditions, a lifelong journey I willalways embrace.”

Paul Andrew, finance managerwith Sts’ailes, calls Charlie “a greatexample for the youth in thecommunity (and)... a successfulhardworking St’at’imc that knows hercommunity, culture and travels home

regularly to practice her Aboriginalrights and her culture.”

To that end, Charlie says theExecutive Master of BusinessAdministration program in AboriginalBusiness and Leadership is aperfect fit for her.

“It’s a very unique program and itserves my heart and my brain well,”she said.

She plans to bring back to hercommunity what she learns in orderto build capacity, strengthen the localorganizations, and help in makinginformed decisions.



Sheila Peter-Paul is “honoured” tobe one of three recipients of theNational Indigenous EconomicEducation Fund scholarship. But the$2,000 win means more than financialaid.

“Being awarded the NIEEFscholarship gives me reassurance thatI am capable of achieving my goals andpassions,” she said. “Being asuccessful applicant motivates me towork to the best of my ability.”

Having an eight-year-old daughterto care for, the money will also helprelieve some of the financial burden.

After working for 11 years in socialdevelopment for her band, Eel RiverBar First Nation, in New Brunswick,Peter-Paul discovered her “love fornumbers” and decided to take a leaveof absence in order to pursue trainingin accounting.

“It took a lot of courage for me todo such a thing, but going back toschool has proven that if you have alove for something, you cannot let fearof the unknown stand in your way. Iam ecstatic to be a mature student andI have grown in so many ways,” shesaid.

She is currently in her second yearof a business administrationaccounting program at New BrunswickCommunity College Fredericton andthis year is also serving as treasurerfor the students’ union.

Peter-Paul’s success at school –where she has maintained a 3.9 gradepoint average – comes as no surpriseto Patricia Miller, member of the EelRiver Bar band council. Miller workedclosely with Peter-Paul in a number of

departments, including education andsocial development.

“Sheila’s dedication to theseprograms, organizational skills andattention to detail was an asset for notonly meeting clients and studentsneeds but for the Eel River Bar Bandas well. These qualities ensured thattasks were completed promptly andaccurately and on more than oneoccasion was able to identifyoversights that helped the bandfinancially,” said Miller.

But Peter-Paul was not onlyrecognized for her workplace skills.She was also recognized for her roleas a mother.

“As a mother of three, Sheila hasworked extremely hard to be a rolemodel to her children and she recentlygot to celebrate her eldest daughter’sgraduation. Sheila has made sure herchildren know the value of a solideducation. She continues to balanceher responsibilities as a parent and asa student with a level head and workshard to never allow the other to suffer;her family can definitely be proud oftheir mother,” said Nancy Harn,Aboriginal student advisor at NBCC.

What lies ahead for Peter-Paul isexciting and the accounting programshe is presently enrolled in - along withher NIEEF scholarship - will help herbuild that future. Her two goals are toown and operate a tea shop and to buyher first home.

“I know it is important to stayfocused and not to jump ahead ofmyself, for now I will remain focusedon my education and then look tobuilding a career,” said Peter-Paul.

Strongmother,

strongstudent

recipient ofscholarship


Becomea Cando Member today!

Becomea Cando Member today!



“This ongoing support really affirmswhy I’m here pursuing an education. Ireally want to learn as much as I canand give back to my community,” saidQuinn Meawasige, who received hissecond consecutive NationalIndigenous Economic EducationFoundation scholarship.

Getting the $2,000 NIEEFscholarship, along with beingrecognized with the Great LakesHonda Community Driven Award andthe Presidential Student AppreciationAward, all encourage Meawasige tocontinue his hard work as he enters his

third year in his four-year honoursdegree in community economic andsocial development at AlgomaUniversity, in Sault Ste-Marie.

Meawasige came late to formaleducation and because of that wasn’tprioritized for funding from his FirstNation of Serpent River. Without thatband funding, he’s had to cobbletogether his own sources of revenueto make his education happen and hesays the NIEEF scholarship “was abreath of fresh air.”

Meawasige has received glowingcommendations from his teachers.

“Both in and out of class, I haveobserved Quinn develop anddemonstrate extraordinary qualities

Second yearrecipient

seesscholarship

asaffirmation

of hard work

When hegraduates Quinnwants to work as

an economicdevelopment

officer with a focuson language and

culture.

Quinn Meawasige Photo: Supplied

Inspiring Success - NIEEF Scholarship Recipient Profiles


June 30, 2018!

that will serve him well in life, and as afuture First Nations economic officer,community development officer, andpolitical leader,” said Prof. Derek Rice.

Meawasige is no stranger to politics.In fact, at the age of 18, he was electedas the youngest Serpent River bandcouncil member ever. It was thisexperience that pushed him to pursuehis education in order to be able todevelop the capacity and knowledgerequired to spearhead and develop theprograms he wanted.

“It was a learning experience forme,” said Meawasige, now 23. “I hadmany a great idea for our communitybut I just lacked a little bit of skill andknowledge and education on how toactually bring about the change and thestuff I wanted to see in my community.”

Meawasige has been active oncampus at Algoma University.

“Quinn contributes significantly tothe university community and studentlife at Algoma, through engagingopenly from a strong sense of identityand culture,” said Sheila Gruner,department chair for the communityeconomic and social developmentprogram.

Half way through the four yearprogram, Meawasige still sees it as “anamazing fit” for what he wants to do.

“The program talks aboutessentially developing the communityfrom the ground up instead of the topdown and how to build resilience intothe community,” he said.

Along with studying, Meawasigeserves on the economic developmentboard on Serpent River First Nation,already putting into use what he islearning. The work with the board isheavily focused on providing skills and

opportunities to community membersto successfully develop and operatetheir own businesses. He says he seesa difference in what he brings to theboard after two years of studies atAlgoma University compared to whathe was able to accomplish as a councilmember.

He is also pursuing Anishinaabelanguage through the ShingwaukKinoomaage Gamig institution, whichis on the Algoma University site.

When he graduates Meawasigewants to work as an economicdevelopment officer with a focus onlanguage and culture.

january/february 2018 1 edopresident of corporate development for cenith energy corporation and had...

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