Niigaan Zhaadaa. (Moving Forward):

Transcription

1 Pic Mobert First Nation Niigaan Zhaadaa (Moving Forward): Economic Development Strategic Plan

2 Message From the Chief On behalf of the Council, the Elders and the technical team of presenting this economic strategy plan, we would like to thank the community members for their input of putting this economic strategic plan together. It was very encouraging to see how our people can come together when called upon to do something as important as developing a plan that will benefit the community as a whole. You have taken action in ensuring our children and future children have a brighter future. Thank you again for your honesty and trusting this process. When we started working on this plan, we were in the process of ratifying our land and larger land base. We made history on June 21st, with overwhelming support to take back our lands. With this land, we as a people can begin building a sustainable community and a vibrant nation. You have seen industries past and present, benefiting off of our lands. You have taken a stand to say this is our turn. With our lands and this economic development strategic plan, we will take control of our own destiny. Our community will continue to grow economically, socially and politically at a pace that is both challenging and exciting. We now have the opportunity to embrace this and continue moving forward (Niigaan Zhaadaa). I look forward to supporting the movement of this process, and trust you will continue to stay involved throughout the years as the administration staff and technical support team begin putting into action the steps needed to achieve our goals. Miigwetch, Johanna Desmoulin Chief Johanna Desmoulin Pic Mobert First Nation i

3 Message From the EDM Over the past 5 years, the Economic Department in conjunction with the Pic Mobert Development Corporation (White Lake Resources Corp.), have focused a great deal of attention on capacity building for community members and partnership development which has resulted in the creation of successful joint ventures, business and contract opportunities and employment opportunities. Building on these successes, Pic Mobert First Nation s Chief and Council mandated the Economic Development Department to form a steering committee to complete an economic development strategic planning process and develop a plan that would take us through the next five years and beyond. Over the past couple of months, many of you have participated in Pic Mobert s Economic Development Strategic Planning Project through surveys or focus group sessions. As a result, this process was a huge success and would not be complete without your input and participation. I very much enjoyed working together with Chief Johanna Desmoulin, our Council members and Program Managers to discuss your input, brainstorm goals to be achieved and develop a plan to bring us within reach of our shared hopes for the future. The phrase Niigaan Zhaadaa (or Moving Forward in English) best describes the overall strategic plan and as we move forward there will be a great deal of focus on the Larger Land Base planning and development and internal economic development for Pic Mobert First Nation. It is a truly exciting time for Pic Mobert First Nation and we trust that many of you will participate along the way through the development process and generated employment, business and entrepreneurship opportunities. Miigwetch, Donna Sutherland Donna Sutherland Economic Development Manager Pic Mobert First Nation ii

4 Table of Contents Message from the Chief... i Message from the EDM... ii Introduction... 1 Guiding Principles... 2 Strategic Directions... 3 Sectors of Opportunity... 4 Time Frames: Time Frames: Time Frames: Time Frames: Time Frames: Acknowledgements

5 Introduction In recent years, Pic Mobert First Nation has experienced the ripple effect of positive change in the community s economic development department with increased training and employment opportunities and partnerships with regional businesses. We ve seen excitement and community involvement grow as we ve progressed towards the completion of the Lands and Larger Land Base process. We want to keep that positive energy going. We want to keep Moving Forward. Our new Economic Development Strategic Plan ( ), Niigaan Zhaadaa (Moving Forward), is designed to carry the positive momentum of these successes forward to 2018 through goals and strategic actions that will help Pic Mobert capitalize on opportunities, improve the quality of life for Band Members and honour our Anishinabek heritage and traditions. We will see hard work applied at the administrative and community level ripple over into our efforts to nurture entrepreneurs and local businesses and create an environment that will increase their connections with the regional economy and attract new businesses to the community. The basic framework of the plan works to achieve success under three main strategic directions (see page 3) which will create a positive ripple effect on the local economy from the inside out: + Build Capacity and Community Development + Grow Enterpeneurs and Local Business Environment + Connect with Regional Economy 2

6 Guiding Principles These Guiding Principles, developed by Chief and Council and Department Managers, will be used to evaluate projects and proposals, assess new business ventures, improve outcomes and ensure community needs are being addressed. Community-specific Guiding Principles Encourage learning and preserving and respecting traditional Anishinabek culture, heritage and identity Improve the quality of life of Band Members Protect and respect our traditional territory and shared community spaces Department-specific Guiding Principles 1ncrease fair access to resources and reduce barriers that impact individual and communal self-sufficiency and resiliency Generate wealth through revenue, wages, and/or local investment Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and economic sustainability Provide opportunities for our youth 3

7 Strategic Directions Strategy #1 Strengthening and Empowering our Community through Capacity Building and Community Development A. Ensure continuity of department projects and deliverables regardless of a change in leadership B. Provide skills development and capacity building to Band employees and general workforce C. Address and understand social barriers inhibiting the economic development of the First Nation D. Pace economic development growth with internal capacity to sustain it E. Create a work ethic or introduction to work culture program for new entrants to the work force, including employment readiness and financial management resources F. Increase support and access for traditional healing services in the community Strategy #2 Nurturing Entrepreneurial Spirit and our local Business Environment A. Foster and support local entrepreneurs B. Address Infrastructure barriers for services and businesses to come to the community C. Partner with the Lands and Resources Department to develop and implement a Land Code policy that promotes Band-established businesses first and moderates sustainable development Strategy #3 Creating and/or Increasing Connections with the Regional Economy A. Attract new business to the community B. Develop and strengthen partnerships with other First Nation and non-first Nation communities in the Region C. Foster cultural awareness/acceptance among business partners 4

8 Sectors of Opportunity According to the input given in the community-wide engagement session, focus groups and the survey, there are many businesses and services that our Band Members feel are needed in (or near) the community that will benefit our economy and the quality of life in Pic Mobert First Nation. The businesses and services identified are organized here into Sectors of Opportunity and include deliverables to be achieved during the course of Niigaan Zhaadaa ( ). High priority/ feasibility opportunities are listed first and formatted in Bold. Opportunities that are already in progress are formatted in Italics. Community-Based Businesses and Services Sector Opportunities Community Store/Grocery Store Hair Dresser/Salon Auto Repair Snow Removal Marina/Docks Firewood Home Construction Land/Community Clean Up Coffee Shop Carwash ATM Arcade Taxi Arena/Gym/Recreation Centre Deliverables Support and provide resources to see the development and establishment of at least two (2) community-based businesses by 2018 (Strategy #2) 5

9 Sectors of Opportunity Highway Corridor Sector Opportunities Restaurant Gas Station Industrial Park Travel Service Station Farmers Market Resort Cultural Park Coffee Shop Hotel/Motel Deliverables Ensure Land Code and Land Use Plan for the territory along the highway in the LLLB are created and adequate to meet the expressed interested of local entrepreneurs, regional businesses and industry (Strategy #2 and Strategy #3); and, Prepare for the finalization of the LLLB so that well-planned and evaluated development can begin as soon as possible (Strategy #1) Natural Resources Development Sector Opportunities Firewood Sawmill (White River Forest Products) Hydroelectric development (Gitchi Animiki) Mining (new mines/exploration) Mining (existing mines) WLRC harvesting, road construction & maintenance Deliverables Reduce turnover rates for new employees employed through WLRC and improve retention (Strategy #1) 6

10 7 Sectors of Opportunity Culture and Tourism Sector Opportunities Healing Lodge and Grounds Motel/Hotel Restaurant Marina/Dock/Boat Launch Bait & Fishing Supply Store Boat Rentals and Fishing Guides Hiking Trails Hunting and Fishing Lodge Conference Centre Farmers Market Campground/Cabins Cultural Hall/Youth Centre Deliverables Open Cultural Hall/Youth Centre to community events and activities (Strategy #1) Launch at least one (1) local service or business relating to Culture and/or Tourism by 2018 (Strategy #1 and Strategy #2) Health and Social Services Sector Opportunities Child Care Services Traditional Healing Services Elders Home (Long-term care) Housing for Single Parents Cultural Meetings/Traditional Ceremonies Treatment and Recovery Centre Palliative Care Services Greenhouse and/or Community Garden Youth Lodge/Centre Deliverables Reduce turnover and increase retention of local jobs in the health and social services sector (Strategy #1) Bring traditional healing services to the community (Strategy #1)

11 Time Frames To ensure we grow our local economy in a responsible and sustainable way, Niigaan Zhaadaa s actions and activities are organized each year by a theme. The plan moves progressively through the three Strategic Directions (see page 4), focusing most on local preparation and capacity in the earlier years and progressing to business readiness and regional focus in the last years of the plan. 2014: The Year of Preparation Year 1 (2014) will focus on actions and activities that related to Strategy #1, particularly dealing with building departmental capacity. Additional planning and capacity building activities must be started at the outset of the plan to ensure Pic Mobert First Nation has the capacity to successfully undertake new projects and ventures. These activities include an internal review, development of more clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the Economic Development Department and the initial phase of developing a Comprehensive Community Plan to better address the education, health and social needs of the community. Actions for Year 1 include: Expanding and strengthening the Economic Development Department Making targeted investments in education and training Completing current initiatives and communicating successes Begin process for developing a Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) 8

12 Time Frames 2015: The Year of Planning Year 2 (2015) will focus on the planning that is required before a new business venture or service can be launched. Feasibility studies for the ventures described in the Sectors of Opportunity and securing funding for these studies is the primary focus of Year 2. Additionally, Year 2 will see the development of a plan for the Business Incubator services program that was a major recommendation of the Market Study and Gaps Analysis completed in early 2014 for Pic Mobert First Nation. Actions for Year 2 include: Launching the Comprehensive Community Plan development project Developing funding applications for feasibility studies for the Community Retail Venture, On-reserve Business Centre, Onreserve Fishing/Tourism venture, and highway Gas Bar/Rest Stop on Highway 17 corridor Conducting research and plan for the implementation of above ventures Gathering Expression of interest letters from potential business owners/entrepreneurs Planning for the launch of Business Incubator services 9

13 Time Frames 2016: The Year of Study and Assessment Year 3 (2016) will follow through on the planning initiated in Year 2 and provide accurate information to Pic Mobert First Nation to direct where its resources should be directed for the greatest chances of success. This year includes funding applications for further development in the areas to be addressed through the Land and Larger Land Base (LLLB) process that the First Nation ratified on June 21, These funding applications will assist Pic Mobert First Nation in being prepared to develop the land as soon as possible once it is transferred to the community. Actions for Year 3 include: Ratifying and Implement the completed CCP Launching the Business Incubator services Develop funding applications for feasibility studies of specific highway corridor business ventures Explore partnerships for highway corridor development and business opportunities Develop funding applications for infrastructure on the LLLB area 10

14 Time Frames 2017: The Year of Implementation Year 4 (2017) will focus on the final stages of launching the businesses and services in the community that have successfully gone through the steps of preparation and study in Year 2 and Year 3. Year 4 includes the development of on-reserve business development protocols so that the community can ensure any new business respects the culture and traditional values of Pic Mobert First Nation and provide adequate considerations for locallyowned businesses. This year also expects to see the completion of business plans for ventures to be developed along the Highway Corridor and the establishment of some Community-Based services. Actions for Year 4 include: Planning for the implementation of an on-reserve business centre Establishing on-reserve business establishment protocols and policies Developing business plans and accessing funding to support business ventures at the highway corridor Supporting the establishment of community-based services 11

15 Time Frames 2018: The Year of Advancement and Expansion Year 5 (2018) is the year that all the planning, preparation and hard work outlined in the previous years of Niigaan Zhaadaa are ready to move forward on their own and the economy in Pic Mobert First Nation will be poised for continued growth and development. It is hoped that if all the actions outlined in this plan can be completed according to the timeline, Year 5 will see the establishment of highway businesses, an on-reserve Business Centre and renewal of Niighaan Zhaadaa into the next 5 years of economic development in Pic Mobert First Nation. Actions for Year 5 include: Reviewing the implementation of the CCP Establishing the on-reserve Business Centre Supporting the establishment of business ventures at the highway corridor Promoting new business locations in the LLLB designated commercial areas Reviewing the implementation of Niigaan Zhaadaa Initiating the development of a new Economic Development Strategic Plan for

16 Acknowledgements Niigaan Zhaadaa was commissioned by Pic Mobert First Nation under the guidance of Economic Development Manager Donna Sutherland and the Project Steering Committee, comprised of our community program managers, Council members and Chief Johanna Desmoulin. Community and Stakeholder engagement activities, workshops and community surveys were facilitated by Genevieve Knauff, Lisa Haessler, Andrew Dorland and Chantal Alkins of gck Consulting Ltd. The Project Steering Committee acknowledges the significant contributions of all those who attended community engagement sessions, focus groups, workshop meetings and/or completed the community survey. Your ideas, suggestions and feedback have been invaluable in the creation and direction of this plan. Questions? Comments? Want to get involved? Please Contact: Donna Sutherland Economic Development Manager, Pic Mobert First Nation Phone: (807)