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 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.

• Band Administration Building

Employment• Band members are

employed in various fields ranging from Labors to Lawyers

• All of the major construction within the Reserve is carried out by qualified Band members (trades people)

• House construction using the ice block system

Miawpukek First NationBrief History

• In 1872, land located in Conne River was set aside as a Colonial Reserve by Governor William McGregor.

• Conne River became recognized as a Federal “Indian Act”Reserve in 1987.

• Chief Rubin Louis with his family, around early 1800

Conne River Today• Today Conne River is

referred to as a model First Nation Community, with nearly 100% employment.

• Paved roads.• Clean drinking water.• Affordable housing.• Justice department.• Education system.• Health and wellness

system.

• Conne River 2004

Traditions and Customs• First Nation Community

Economic Development takes into consideration, 6 elements in its planning cycle.

1 Culture2 Tradition3 Spiritual4 Social6 Political and Organizational5 Economics

Annual Powwow

Miawpukek Economic Development Organizational Chart

Community Economic Development

Phoebe FosterEDO

Community plannBusiness dev.

Gas-bar Garage Cable CRBS MAS Outfitting

Dave JoeOPS Manager

Denise JohnCulture

Powwow

Faron JoeGuide

Rita JensonMaintanance

Aubrey JoeRec SupervisiorMc Donalds area

Clleen LambertManagerCulture

Recreation

Gerard JoeDirector

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 NationConne River

• Promoting our future while preserving our past