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

~ C A S E S T U D I E Sprocured the original registration documents, and kept the idea alive, which led to the developmentof the co-op. FRBC funded the initial research and emphasized the desirability of includingFirst Nations People, women, and unemployed forestry/mill workers. SWAT, as thetechnical branch of the Gitxsan Treaty Office, who assisted with the research programme,provided liaison with the First Nations community and participated in the development of theco-op. SWAT also provided the original registration fee for incorporation as a co-operative.We continue to use the Gitxsan Treaty Office for our board and general meetings, and workwith them to promote co-management of public lands for a variety of forest products. GitxsanWet’suwet’en Economic Development Corporation gave us a $5,000 start-up grant.Q. Were there any special characteristics of the groups of people or location in which the cooperativeemerged that help to explain its development?A. The Hazeltons is a logical and perhaps unique place for the development of this sort of coop.First, the GTO, through the strength of the Delgamuukw Supreme Court decision, has beenactively pushing for co-management and development of nontimber forest products. Second,the Hazeltons has approximately equal proportions of First Nations and non-Native people,with a history of working together. The proximity of the co-op to Smithers (which has a largeprofessional community) has also promoted a number of non–First Nations to join the co-op,in support of community-based alternatives to industrial forestry. The Gitxsan land, wheremost of the berries are picked, is some of the richest in the province with respect to thediversity and abundance of wild berries, mushrooms, and other potential nontimber forestproducts.Q. What kind of activities (business and social) did the co-operative undertake?A.• We contacted the local newspaper and invited them to do an article on the development ofthe co-op.• We undertook to have monthly meetings of the board and an annual general meeting opento all members.• We sent out two newsletters, one each year, to update the membership on co-op progress.• We advertised a logo and label contest and a huckleberry jam recipe contest, open to allmembers of the community, with a prize of $200 each, in order to attract the interest of thecommunity.• We held a jam-tasting party, open to members of the community, to select the winningentry for the recipe contest.• We attended local fairs, markets, and conferences to introduce our product to thecommunity and to sell membership shares.~ 385