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

~ C A S E S T U D I E SAdviceThe Amachewespimawin Co-op is a very successful business that will undoubtedly continue toexpand services and operations. Members of the board such as Joe Roberts offer the followingadvice to groups or communities interested in starting a co-op. Initially, of course, there has tobe an interested group of people with a common need. A feasibility study should be done at thebeginning of the process, and governments can and should play a role in preparing this. Beforestarting a co-op, it is also important to make sure that people in the community fully support aco-operative model. Questions need to be asked as well, such as what type of co-op is wantedand needed, e.g., retail, arts and crafts, etc. Joe and Lester also note that existing competitionshould not be viewed as a deterrent to starting a co-op, because competition can actually help aco-op. To ensure that the organization remains stable, it is also important to hire a managerwho is committed to the business and what is best for it.A N N E X 1New Initiatives in the La Ronge RegionHistorically, northern Saskatchewan has been well represented by commercial fishing cooperatives,supported by the Saskatchewan Commercial Fishing Co-operative Federation. Aperiod of inactivity during the 1980s and 1990s resulted in many being struck off the cooperativeregistry. Recently, however, this sector has been revitalized, and there are currentlythirty active co-ops, with over one hundred memberships among them. Since they are just inthe process of formally incorporating once again, these numbers are not reflected in thestatistics for Saskatchewan. In addition, approximately ten northern communities haveexpressed an interest in starting a retail co-operative.~ 377