Supplying the Mining Sector: Opportunities for Inuit Businesswomen
Inuit businesswomen have the potential to benefit from the growing northern economy, especially in the resource extraction sector. To get ready for these opportunities, Inuit women entrepreneurs need to develop their business skills, to learn about the mining sector and its needs and connect to the people and organizations that can support them.
The Inuit Women in Business Network has developed a short case study entitled Supplying the Mining Sector that profiles NIEDB member, Hilda Broomfield Letemplier. In reflecting on her 25 years in business, including supplying the mining sector for more than 10 years, Hilda has valuable advice for women just starting out.
Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs: Leading by Example
A success story about NIEDB Member Hilda Broomfield Letemplier was featured in Employment and Social Development Canada’s Aboriginal Labour Market Bulletin: Spring 2015.
Ms. Broomfield Letemplier established Pressure Pipe Steel Fabrication Ltd. in 1991 in Happy Valley – Goose Bay, NL. As President and Chief Financial Officer, has expanded her business to include 10 employees. The company began as a storage containment manufacturing facility and subsequently diversified to become a supplier of a variety of industrial and mining supplies.
Meet Hilda Broomfield Letemplier and read how this Inuk woman from Labrador overcame challenges to launch her own business and become a successful mentor.
A Glass of Success at Nk’Mip Cellars
Overlooking the picturesque Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia is Nk’Mip Cellars (pronounced Inkameep), North America’s first Indigenous owned and operated winery. This award-winning winery consistently ranks in the top tier of Canadian wines for their world-class products. In addition to being ranked the second best winery in BC in 2014, Nk’Mip also represents the success that economic development has had for Osoyoos Indian Band.
Through strong leadership and strategic partnerships, the 450-member Osoyoos Indian Band has created a tourism business generating annual revenues in excess of $ 40 million and employing 1,200 people. The Band operates ten businesses in total, including the internationally-renowned Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa.
Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance
The Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA) is pleased to announce that it is receiving over $5.9-million from the Government of Canada’s Skills and Partnership Fund to provide training for employment in the mining sector for the people of Matawa First Nations.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Matawa First Nations, Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS), Noront Resources Ltd. and Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, creating The Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA) partnership. RoFATA’s key objective is to provide training-to-employment opportunities to support the Matawa First Nations people.
Nova Scotia Indigenous people to be Trained for Shipbuilding Jobs
The government of Canada is contributing $6 million for the Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office to train Indigenous people across Nova Scotia as a result of opportunities arising from the Irving Shipbuilding contract. The Membertou-based benefits office indicated the training could lead to as many as 400 jobs for Nova Scotia’s 13 First Nations communities.
New Manitoulin Island Hotel & Conference Centre
The Hotel & Conference Centre is the first hotel in Little Current in over 100 years. Situated on the North Channel of Lake Huron, the new Manitoulin Island Hotel & Conference Centre features 58 rooms, a full service restaurant & outdoor patio, swimming pool, 350 person conference centre, wireless internet, and business centre services.
New Jail in Oliver, BC
The Province has selected the OIB’s proposed site, in the Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Highway 97 north of Oliver as the preferred location for a new Okanagan correctional centre. The project will create up to 500 direct and 500 indirect jobs. On completion, the centre will provide the equivalent of 240 new, full-time positions and will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.’s Interior.