On April 16 & 17, a Native Entrepreneurship conference took place at the Radisson Hotel in Montreal. Many businesses from across Quebec came to set up stands. Everything from floating docks, outfitting camps, government services, tobacco wholesalers and pavement opportunities were featured. Some of the speakers on the program included Chief Billy Diamond from Waskaganish and Abel Kitchen, present president of the First People’s Business Association representing Servinor. Notable Crees attending included Chief John Kitchen, Chief Kenneth Gillpin, Ambassador Ted Moses, Mistissini Councilor Don MacLeod and Jim MacLeod. Also in attendance were Youth leaders Bertie Wapachee and James Shecapio among others.
Ron Irwin was a surprise guest speaker. In his introduction he talked about the Crees. Irwin said “In December 1994 I went to meet with the Grand Council of the Crees in Waskaganish, I flew in on Air Creebec — now that was impressive! On that same trip I went to Oujé-Bougoumou, they’ve done tremendous things in that community.”
Perhaps one of his most important announcements was concerning the new Federal Procurement Program.
He told the audience, “One I’m particularly proud of is what we are doing to promote access by Aboriginal business across Canada to federal contracting opportunities.”
The strategy consists of: enhanced supplier information and development activities; support for the launch of a Canada-wide Aboriginal Business database; policy changes that give Aboriginal suppliers the first opportunity to supply federal government procurements destined primarily for Aboriginal populations and communities, as well as other set-aside opportunities; encouraging joint venturing and sub-contracting with Aboriginal businesses and more flexible contract security measures to address bonding difficulties for on-reserve firms in construction contracting.
The federal government is a significant buyer. In fact, each year departments purchase about $I0 billion annually in goods, services and construction. About 180,000 contracts are awarded and some 90 percent of these are for less than
$100,000.
Irwin also said “We know that Aboriginal businesses in Quebec and across Canada are willing and capable of supplying more of the federal government’s purchasing needs. We are committed to increasing your contracting opportunities.”
Irwin also thanked Abel Kitchen and Johanne Robertson for their time and good work in helping to launch this program before tackling the forestry issue. He said that the new Indian Forestry Program would give better Native control over the management of Native forestry resources. The Fed’s Program would see partnerships with non-Native companies and provinces as well as access to off-reserve forests.
All in all the participants thought the show was well done and needed.
