Attawapiskat Enterprises is a for-profit organization that serves the members of Attawapiskat First Nation by developing community-owned businesses. In carrying out this work, we are successfully creating employment and building opportunities in the region for the long term. We build skills and confidence.
Our operations are self-funded, and a portion of dividends go towards the Attawapiskat First Nation Community Trust.
Our role is to:
- Identify and negotiate suitable business opportunities in the region
- Develop those business opportunities that we negotiate
- Provide community support and investment
- Represent the interests of our companies with other parties
Using dividends from our business investments, Attawapiskat Enterprises has invested more than $4 million to Attawapiskat First Nation Community Trust, for the benefit of Attawapiskat members. A portion of our profits continue to be contributed to this trust.
In the past, when the DeBeers Victor Mine was in production, we have made “donations to individuals”, such as cultural, sports and recreation activities; education and training; emergency needs. Unfortunately, with the closure of the DeBeers Victor Mine, our revenue has decreased to the point we cannot make these donations.
Attawapiskat Enterprises is not a Community Development Corporation or a non-profit organization. We do not assist with individual-owned companies, their business planning and operational support.
Although we are 100% owned by Attawapiskat First Nation, our operations are entirely separate from the transactions of Council and its decision-making process. Chief and Council are not involved in the day-to-day operations of Attawapiskat Enterprises, Attawapiskat Catering or Advanced Security.
In the past, when the DeBeers Victor Mine was in production, we have made “donations to individuals”, such as cultural, sports and recreation activities; education and training; emergency needs. Unfortunately, with the closure of the DeBeers Victor Mine, our revenue has decreased to the point we cannot make these donations. We do make regular contributions to the Attawapiskat Community Trust.
Attawapiskat First Nation is located inland from James Bay on the Attawapiskat River in the Canadian Province of Ontario. The First Nation has a membership of 2,700. About 1,800 live on reserve. It is the most northerly community along the West James Bay coast.
Through Attawapiskat Enterprises, we are creating practical opportunities for our members to work in Attawapiskat First Nation-owned businesses.
Attawapiskat Enterprises is 100% owned by Attawapiskat First Nation and respected by the Chief and Deputy Chief. We have an office located in the community. We are an incorporated, for-profit entity that operates separately from Chief and Council. Our operating office is in Timmins, Ontario.
A Board of Directors provides ongoing oversight and direction to our Chief Executive Officer. The Chairperson and Board Members are also Attawapiskat First Nation members. While we report to and take direction from the Board, we also report to our shareholders (Chief and Council) on a regular basis. Each company has the same board and executive.
Board of Directors:
Steve Hookimaw, Chair
Scott Carpenter, Treasurer
Dorothy Kioke, Director
John Nakogee, Director
Vacant
Officials:
Bob Dickson, CEO
Sally Loutit, Office Coordinator/Attawapiskat
Melissa Regan, Manager, ASLP & ACLP
Jody Charette, Manager, Finance
Craig Paw, Manager, ASLP Technical
