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

~ C A S E S T U D I E SDespite some negative sentiment towards the co-op, the overall experience has been verypositive, and not only with respect to economics. As Irvin noted, “The co-op brings peopletogether. People who don’t normally associate have come together to get involved andsocialize—It’s a real positive thing.” The co-operative structure itself has encouraged peopleto come together and work towards common goals.Future Endeavours and ExpansionThe Akochikan Co-op is currently in the process of developing a new facility for co-opoperations. Financing of this initiative and others was co-ordinated by the Arctic Co-operativesDevelopment Fund (ACDF). The band government and Indian Affairs are making significantfinancial contributions to the construction project—approximately $600,000. The remainder—approximately $1 million—is being borrowed from Peace Hills Trust, an Aboriginal-ownedfinancial institution. While funding has been successfully obtained for this project, Irvin andLorna emphasize the fact that the co-op must manage the funds wisely to ensure financialstability. The new co-op building will be a useful asset as operations and the range of goodscarried within the retail store expand, as it did recently when the first load of furniture wasbrought in.There are also several ideas being discussed with respect to economic development thatrevolve around the co-op. Board members met previously to discuss a proposal by the co-opto supply the band with trailers to help alleviate some of the severe housing shortages in thecommunity. Chief and council, however, did not pick up this particular project. The feasibilityof starting a fishing co-op is also being explored, since some community members are active incommercial fishing. There are difficulties associated with this process, particularly politicalissues, as the provincial and federal governments both play a significant role in developmentbased on natural resources. Information is still being gathered on fishing co-operatives at thetime of writing, and there is a significant interest in establishing a fishing co-op in thecommunity.Lumber operations are also being considered. Ideally, the co-op will start a small sawmilloperation using lumber from the local area. Such an endeavour would provide employment tosome community members, and lumber could be used for local projects such as the constructionof much-needed homes. The co-op recently purchased a delivery truck for hauling dieselfuel and obtained a contract to supply the local construction company with diesel for a project.Currently, there is not a great deal of consideration being given to using a co-operative structureto provide other services such as health or child care, as the community already has theseservices in place.~ 355