SOUTHWIND CORPORATE DEVEOPMENT INC.
The Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation’s Corporate Development Division has had another successful year of development. The Southwind Corporate Development Inc., has reviewed and provided some valuable business analysis services to the First Nation. Most notably, the Southwind Corporate Development liaised with the First Nation at the onset of the negotiation process for the purchase of the Indian Hills Golf Course. The Industrial Park study was complete with the final draft report being approved by the board of directors and forwarded to Chief and Council for approval. The subsidiary businesses of Points Preference Supermarket Inc., Sweetgrass & Sage Restaurant Inc., and Plaza Management & Leasing Division have had a profitable year and continue to contribute to the socio-economic well-being of the First Nation.
The directorships in all Corporations consists of the following community members:
Southwind Corporate Development Inc.:
Mr. Stephan Wolfe – Chairperson
Vacant – Council Portfolio
Mr. Robert Bressette – Council Portfolio
Ms. Carole Pelletier – Director
Mr. Murray Blake Shawnoo – Director
Mr. Maynard “Sam” George - Director
Points Preference Supermarket Inc.:
Mr. Murray Blake Shawnoo – President / Chairperson
Ms. Connie Milliken – Secretary / Treasurer
Mr. Robert Bressette - Director
Sweetgrass & Sage Restaurant Inc.:
Mr. Murray Blake Shawnoo – President / Chairperson
Ms. Connie Milliken – Secretary / Treasurer
Vacant
Plaza Management & Leasing Division:
Mr. Stephen Wolfe – Committee Member
Mr. Murray Blake Shawnoo – Committee Member
Vacant – Committee Member
In
2004, Council had approved a Phase One, Two and Three corporate restructuring
process for restructure of the First Nation’s business entities. Phase one
included incorporating Points Eagle Radio Station – a not for profit business,
and incorporating an on reserve business holding company – Southwind Corporate
Development. The second phase included incorporating all other First Nation
owned businesses as subsidiaries of Southwind Corporate Development Inc. The
third phase includes setting up an off-reserve business/corporate structure.
Since the First Nation did not have off-reserve businesses at the time, this was
set aside for future planning. Now, with the purchase of the First Nations
first off reserve business, the Indian Hills Golf Course, the First Nations
Management in consultation with the Corporate Development Division
of the
First Nation is working to get underway the off reserve business and corporate
structure of the First Nation. Hence, phase three restructuring process that
Council had envisioned at the onset of this Reincorporation process is underway
at an advanced stage.
Other plans include continued work on the Falconer Farm property, marketing and attracting businesses to the First Nation, continued review of business opportunities and an ISO certification process as approved by Council in Spring/Summer 2006.
The ISO certification project was first tabled on June 2004, whereby Council mandated the Southwind Corporate Development Corporation to research the process of applying for ISO 9001:2000 Certification (International Organization for Standardization) for the First Nation and its businesses. This process was delayed due to lack of funding support from the Federal Government, and this fiscal, Council approved financial support to start the ISO registration process. The benefits of ISO certification include: improved productivity, optimized operating processes, better fiscal accountability, documented policies and procedures, and assist the First Nation in solidifying our position as a credible partner to stakeholders and new business partners regionally, nationally and internationally.
Kathy Loon,
Corporate Development Officer
SOUTHWIND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT INC.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
It is a pleasure that I provide this report to you. As you are aware, the past year was the first full year the Southwind Corporate Development Inc. operated under the corporate structure and process that had been developed to streamline the business and corporate divisions of the First Nation. Though many challenges, we continue to work on the business development process of the First Nation while maintaining transparency and accountability to the First Nation.
Business and Industrial development opportunities are continually reviewed as well as review on on-going business initiatives within the surrounding area that may require First Nation consultation. The Falconer’s Farm property underwent a Business Park study and it was determined that other studies, processes and developments are required. This includes a water tower that is required to effectively service any potential business park and First Nation.
I would
like to report that I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Albuquerque, New
Mexico in April 2006 to a Native American Business Alliance conference. The
Native American Business Alliance is an organization whose mandate is to promote
Native Tribal / First Nations to corporate America. This was a valuable
learning experience for me, as well, that we were able to market the First
Nation directly to the tier one & two corporations of America such as Walmart
Inc. I firmly believe that Southwind has to continue marketing its business and
First Nation in order to attract a mixture of companies who are willing to
locate their businesses to this First Nation.
We look forward to the future as this community continues to grow economically and socially. On behalf of the board of directors of the Southwind Corporate Development Inc. and its subsidiary corporations, I would like to thank the community for its continued support. Chi- Meegwetch.
Stephan D. Wolfe
President / Chairperson
Southwind Corporate Development
CHIPPEWAS OF
KETTLE & STONY POINT FIRST NATION
Corporate Finance Manager
As
Corporate Finance Manager I am responsible for the overall efficient and
effective management and administration of the Kettle and Stoney Point Corporate
Development Board financial records.
It is also my responsibility to ensure that the corporate businesses adhere to
the financial management bylaw and follow policies and procedures in an
effective manner, and that both monthly financial statements for the corporate
area, as well as annual operating and capital budgets are completed and
submitted in a timely manner.
Under the direct supervision of the Comptroller, I work with the following Managers regarding all financial matters in regards to the individual business and provide support in regards to software and financial issues that occur.
Points Preference Supermarket – Melody Nahambin
Sweetgrass & Sage Restaurant - Melody Nahambin
Points Eagle Radio Inc. – Wayne Steele
Plaza Management & Leasing
Indian Hills Golf Course – Ray Martin
Southwind Corporate Development Inc.—Kathy Loon
Finally, I have been involved over the past year in initiatives to integrate all corporate entities into the First Nation’s ACCPAC accounting system for seamless reporting and budgeting functions including monitoring and audit functions. This has been an extremely complex process, but staff have succeeded with progress and the integration is nearing completion, including the newest First Nation’s acquisition, Indian Hills.
It is my goal to help when a question comes about from staff or community
members, that I will be able to assist them in a timely and effectively manner.
Jodi George,
Corporate Finance Manager