Aboriginal Co-operatives in Canada - Centre for the Study of Co ...

~ T H E C U R R E N T S T A T Ereturned over $1.5 million in dividends to its member co-operatives. It has operated on a tightbudget, and distributed loans at low cost because of the already existing infrastructure withinArctic Co-operatives.The Benefits of MembershipMembers of co-operatives can…• own the co-operative;• share in its surplus or profits in proportion to their use of it;• influence the policies that govern the co-operative;• invest in their co-operative;• benefit from what the co-operative does for their community;• learn from the training and education programmes the co-op provides; and• be proud of their own organization.In addition, the member co-operatives have learned that the fund is a kind of insurance mechanismthrough which they help each other in times of need, meaning that only one loan has notbeen paid—by a co-operative that had closed its doors—and most loans are repaid before theyare due. Co-operatives maintain good standing with the fund partly because it is good businessto do so, but also because they are working with their peers in a common enterprise. The fundis a striking example of how co-operatives working together can create collective capital andshare resources in the common good.Seventh, co-operatives have a deep attachment to their communities. They cannot be boughtand sold without member agreement, which should obviate concerns among Aboriginal peopleabout losing control over any successful enterprise they manage. It is a form of enterprise thatcannot be sold regardless of the interests of key stakeholders. That means co-operatives, whenoperated properly, will contribute permanently to a community’s economic and social health.Dimensions of Co-operatives That Matter• they are driven by member needs;• they are based on democratic principles;• they build member commitment over time;• they encourage self-responsibility;• they are autonomous from politics, governments, and capitalist enterprise;• they build through co-operation among co-operatives;• they are concerned about communities; and• they promote gradual, secure development.~ 27