Elsipogtog Economic Development Working Toward Greater Economic - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Elsipogtog Economic Development

“Working Toward Greater Economic Stability Within the Community of Elsipogtog”

Elsipogtog Profile

• Elsipogtog is located

in NB, 8 Km southwest of Rexton,

• n the north side of

the Richibucto River. (better known as Sigenigtog)

• EFN has a land base
• f 4,600 acres
• Population stats:

3290 (728 O.R.)

Elsipogtog Profile (cont.)

• As for the economy, the two main resources are fishing and

forestry.

• Presently, the fishing industry is keeping the economy stable

with the Band owning 77 vessels, which employ over 300 people.

• There are approximately 30 businesses in Elsipogtog providing

various services, for example, take-out pizza, VLT operators, medical carriers and convenience stores.

• We held a community meeting to determine the needs of the
• people. The people said that they wanted a grocery store and

a post office.

Elsipogtog Profile (cont.)

• We looked at the feasibility of starting a grocery store.
• To make a long story short. It took the Band 14 years and 4

Chiefs later to come up with a plan that would prove beneficial to the community of Elsipogtog.

• The key factor in making it viable was the idea of factoring in a

pharmacy within the business plan.

• Once this key factor was identified, it was the driving force of

moving forward.

• The Band was able to obtain enough financing to start

implementing the business plan and start construction.

Site Plan (located corner of Hwy 116 and Big Cove Rd)

Project Management Team

• -Team consisted of 8 professionals which held various roles within

the Band Administration and related Industry.

• Chief Aaron Sock, Chief EFN
• Derwin J Joseph, Nation’s Administrator
• Lynn Francis (ME ☺ ) Director of Elsipogtog Economic Dev.)
• Mary J Sieben (a.k.a Mousie) Lands and Ec. Dev. Officer.
• Mark Y Augustine, Employment and Training Officer
• Charina Sappier, EDO/ETO
• Ralph Davison, Industry Expert, 30 years of Senior Management

experience within the retail Food / Drug Store industry, working within Canada’s largest food distributor, Loblaw Co. Ltd, 6 years with Pharmasave Atlantic managing and developing the Merchandising / Advertising / Procurement Programs.

• Jim Brown, Industry Expert, Atl. Region Operations Mgr.,

Pharmasave Atlantic

The Elsipogtog Commercial Development Projects Consists of :

• A full scale grocery store owned and operated by the band.
• The River of Fire Market is approximately 9,575 square feet.
• Also included is a Food to Go area, Meat & Produce departments

along with a full complement of grocery, frozen and dairy Products.

• The First Pharmasave Drug store owned and operated by a First Nation

community in Canada - approx. 3,600 square feet

• A future rental property - approx. 2,550 square feet
• The facility employs approximately 43 community and area residents
• The combined facilities projected sales for the first 12 months of operation

is estimated at approximately $ 4,000,000.

Pharmasave Elsipogtog

Front Store Area Creates Employment to 4 People

Dispensary Area

Employs 5

Electronic Reader Board

Innovative Technology

Project Update November 2015

Project Update January 2016

Roof decking installed, steel joist clips and bridging continues,, temporary heaters have arrived on site

Update July 9, 2016 (Development is substantially complete.. All

Millwork nearing final installation. Exterior landscaping is in the Final Stages.)

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

AFTER CONSTRUCTION

Important Dates

• September 2, 2015 Community Announcement
• October 15, 2015 Construction Begins, Contract awarded to

Ryson Construction Ltd.

• December 9, 2015 EFN got approved by the Atlantic

Pharmasave to acquire the franchising rights, which makes Elsipogtog the first Pharmasave Drug Store owned and

• perated by a First Nation Community in Canada-

Approximately 3,600 square feet.

• October 25th, 2016 Grand Opening

GRAND OPENING DAY

Community Members Celebrate

Project Management Team Moves Forward

• On going training program working to be industry standard in

key areas like performance, shrink management and customer service.

• Coordinates wage subsidies with various Provincial Programs.
• Mentoring Program to help guide the store and the

community as this project goes to another level.

• Board Representation (Mlsegnatigeoei/Maologetinetj Dev.

Corps.)

• Ensure marketing strategy is in line with business plan.

Other Elsipogtog Economic Development Initiatives

Elsipogtog Co-op

• Elsipogtog Co-op was first proposed to the Chief and Council

in November 2015.

• Leo Leblanc assisted EFN in the creation of the co-op
• The objective of the Co-op is to encourage the viability and

growth of Elsipogtog First Nation and respond to the collective needs of its people.

• After one year the following businesses were formed as a

result of this collaboration with EED and other partners.

• Sewing Group
• Basket Making Group
• Furniture Manufacturing Group
• Community Garden/Youth Co-op

Sewing Group

• EED Purchased 9 sewing machines.
• Formed a group of 4 women to be part of the co-op.
• Partnered with Tex Medico for contracting work. Tex Medico

is a designer and manufacturer of medical devices made from specialized fabrics designed to maintain skin integrity.

• They make Ventopedic boots, heel and ankle protectors, knee

abductor pads…

• The Group also makes quilts.

TexMedico

Shop and Quilts

Basket Making

• 6 people took part of a 6 week basket making course, their

instructor was award winning craftsman and elder; Joe John Sanipass, the group is now working on a Tourism Product for the 2018 Tourism Guide

Basket Makers: Michelle Levi, Gary J Augustine

Fancy Basket

Tools used to prepare the ash

Furniture Manufacturing

• Mission
• To deliver a high-quality, unique First Nations branded rustic

wood products and value added creations. Meeting customer product expectations on time and within budget while also building worker skills and expertise, providing recognition for good work and providing stable employment with incentives based on business results.

• In an effort to gain capacity building within the workers, we

partnered with the Collège Communautaire Du Noveau- Brunswick (CCNB) Bathurst to deliver a 16 week rustic wood working program

• We have 6 community members enrolled in the program, our

goal is to have them gainfully employed in the co-op.

Preparing the wood

Picnic Table and Benches

Finished Product with Wood Burning Design

Community Garden

• Employment of 10 Youth
• They were taught various aspects in agricultural farming
• Cleared, seed and maintained 6 Acres of agricultural land to

establish

• The Vegetables were donated to the community foodbank and

sold at various markets.

The Crop

Bean Harvest (youth and elders working together) Harvested 370lbs of beans

Tourism Product Development

• EED submitted a product in the 2018 New Brunswick Travel

Guide.

• Group is taking Heritage Interpreter training through Emerit

(National Certification). The training is delivered in partnership with Roads2Sea Guided Tours Inc..

• The group is now working on clearing the trail and preparing

the interpretation centre (tipi).

Culture Experience

• Introduction- traditional greeting
• Showing the Video of elder Joe John Sanipass telling a story of

how basket weaving was a means of survival for the Mi’gmaq.

• Walk along heritage trail to the tipi.
• Introduction of the materials and process for making a basket
• Visitor makes their own basket.
• Learn some traditional Mi’kmag words
• Visitor leaves with a basket they made themselves with the

help of experts

Photo of Tipi (not finished)

Interpreter-Annie Clair

Land Designation

• Elsipogtog First Nation purchased land outside of Moncton for

the purpose of commercial development.

• One parcel of Land has been added to Reserve the other is

going through ATR (Additions to Reserve)Process

• Referendum to designate the land will be held on November

21st, 2017

Soegao

Concept Plan (Fueling station, fast food, grocery store, retail outlets etc.)

Important Things to Remember and Key Elements of Success

• You have to work as a Team.
• You need the support of your Chief and Council from

beginning to end.

• You have to be dedicated
• You need highly skilled and professional people working on

major projects

Oelaliog, Woliwon, Thank You, Merci