A slew of annual reports has been released by the Cree entities. Here are some of the highlights.
CREE CO.:
Sales at the Cree Construction and Development Company Ltd.
slumped dramatically last year to less than half the previous year’s level.
But the company still somehow managed to make a $700,000 net profit in 1996-97, according to Cree Co.’s latest annual report.
Over at Servinor Food Wholesaler Inc., the exact opposite story unfolded. Sales ballooned by 75 per cent, from $24.2 to $40.1 million. Unfortunately, the company wound up with a net loss of $2.2 million.
Overall, Cree Co. as a whole lost $720,000 last fiscal year due to Servinor’s performance, which the report blames on “growing pains.”
The report does not say whether Valpiro Inc. or Air Creebec (1994)
Inc. had a profit or loss. A message from Air Creebec president Albert Diamond says the company “did not reach our projected profit for the year.”
For the year, Cree Co. earned $86.4 million, down from $89.3 million in 1995. Long-term debt was $23.5 million.
CREE SCHOOL BOARD:
For the first time, Crees outnumber non-Natives as teachers at the elementary school level in the communities.
Cree teachers are 64 per cent of the total, compared to only 42 per cent in 1995-96.
In professional jobs at the school board, Crees have also moved ahead dramatically, from 37 per cent of positions to 52 per cent in 1996-97.
The gains are a result of the Cree Replacement Policy.
Crees now outnumber non-Natives in most other categories: manager, support staff and pre-K & K teachers.
But non-Natives still make up 82 per cent of secondary teachers and 64 per cent of school managers.
Finally, the report also includes a message from Robert Weistche honouring the late Annie Whiskeychan.
“Annie Whiskeychan stands as an example for all of us to follow. We honour her and give special recognition to her memory.”
