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, on the north side of the Richibucto River. (better known as Sigenigtog) • EFN has a land base of 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 operated by a First Nation Community in Canada- Approximately 3,600 square feet. • October 25 th , 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 21 st , 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
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