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

A P P E N D I X I ~years ago. The other grant was used for starting the Chester Fried Chicken operation run by theco-op. The federal grant for the chicken outlet helped to create twelve jobs within the co-opand the community. The government’s primary concern when providing the grant was howmany jobs would be created as a result. Bob Walker, who has managed the co-op since 1988,estimated that the co-op would be able to create four new jobs with the government grant, butthe need for twelve emerged by the time the project was finished.Although the co-op has faced difficulties periodically, the business has been very successfulfor quite some time. Careful financial management of the co-op’s assets is a top priority formanagement and the board. This is one of the reasons that the co-op has enjoyed so muchsuccess. As Bob notes, “You can do a lot in these communities if you have the money to doit and someone in place who has the interest of the business at heart.” The co-op receivesfinancing from private sources, such as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), forvarious initiatives. Currently, for example, the community is constructing a new building thatwill house a larger restaurant. Partial financing for the project was obtained through CIBC,with the remainder of the funds coming from the co-op’s own financial assets.Education and TrainingThe co-op in Stanley Mission has been quite fortunate with respect to education and training.The co-op is part of Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and because of this is able to takeadvantage of various training programmes. The co-op can always use training programmes foremployees, who often take courses that will enable them to do their jobs more effectively. Oneemployee, for instance, was recently sent to take a course at Northlands College in La Ronge.Bob notes that it would be helpful to the co-op in Stanley Mission and other businesses in thearea if more courses relevant to business were available at nearby education institutions suchas Northlands College. Employees also learn about their roles and responsibilities throughformal policy developed by the co-op. In addition they must, of course, adhere to governmentpolicies.Any member of the co-op is free to run for positions on the board of directors. Members learnabout the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors at the annual general meeting,when directors are also nominated and elected. Since the co-op in Stanley Mission has beenaround for quite some time, new directors are able to learn from others who have served on theboard in the past.Community Impact and InvolvementThe Amachewespimawin Co-op has had a significant impact on the community of StanleyMission. The co-op’s business operations have been very successful over the past several374 ~