Aboriginal Philanthropy in Canada: A Foundation for Understanding

Deer Point. A tour of the facility revealed a manufacturing plant that was spacious, clean, light, airy and comfortable – a far
cry from the stereotypical factories with which most of us are familiar.
Since the plant opened, the company has had to make adjustments, as is typical of any start-up business. However, all
issues have been resolved over time, with the same consultation and consideration that went into the initial planning.
Chief Edward Williams passed away in the spring of 2010, after serving nine terms as Chief in his community. Former
Band Councillor Barron King was elected Chief following Chief Williams’ decision to leave his position due to illness.
Chief King is proud of his community and its accomplishments and was gracious in sharing his time for the purposes of
this case study.
Chief King identified several critical factors to the success of the relationship between the Schad Foundation and the
First Nation:
• Personal commitment from the key people;
• Federal, provincial and First Nation contributions;
• Commitment to the relationship across changes in leadership of the First Nation;
• Commitment to a long-term partnership from all partners; and,
• Commitment to stay the course from all partners and to make necessary changes as new
challenges arose.
Chief King pointed out that the original concept of Niigon was for a facility that offers economic
and educational development year-round for the citizens of Moose Deer Point. The project
has been a success thus far and is poised to fulfil the vision of its founders. In its tenth year
of operation at the time of this case study, Niigon is on the verge of breaking even. The
plant is expected to begin yielding a profit in the very near future, to be re-invested
in the community. A community association has been established, comprised of
community members and designed to be at arm’s length from Chief and Council, to
determine community investments. Two investments to date have been a daycare
centre and a bus to take students to school in Parry Sound since there is no
school in the community. The latter investment allowed the First Nation to stop
contracting out school bus service.
The daycare centre, Binoojii House, was a joint investment
of the Niigon project and the Schad Foundation. Binoojii House
was built at the insistence of Robert and Liz Schad, to remove
barriers for community residents with young children who
might seek training and employment at Niigon. Robert and Liz
also have a deeply held commitment to the importance of
early childhood education. The state-of-the-art facility reflects
their all or nothing approach to its development. Binoojii House
includes a staffed kitchen, laundry facilities and several different
age-appropriate play, activity and sleep areas. The centre is built
on the lakeshore, safely fenced, and incorporates local habitat into
its play structures. Tree trunks serve as table and chairs and trees cut to
clear space for Binoojii House have been transformed into climbing walls. The
Schad Foundation provided expertise as well as funding for this development – the
designer of Husky’s Copperhouse childcare centre advised on Binoojii House. The
childcare centre is available to all community residents, whether employed at
Niigon or not. Binoojii House has inspired some young people to pursue studies and
training in Early Childhood Education and return to the community to work.
The Circle on Philanthropy & Aboriginal Peoples in Canada 38