Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River)

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 Nation
Brief 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 Culture
2 Tradition
3 Spiritual
4 Social
6 Political and Organizational
5 Economics
Annual Powwow

Miawpukek Economic Development
Organizational Chart
Community Economic Development
Phoebe Foster
EDO
Community plann
Business dev.
Gerard Joe
Director
Dave Joe
OPS Manager
Clleen Lambert
Manager
Culture
Recreation
Gas-bar Garage Cable CRBS MAS Outfitting
Denise John
Culture
Powwow
Aubrey Joe
Rec Supervisior
Mc Donalds area
Faron Joe
Guide
Rita Jenson
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