• Workshops & Meetings
• Press Releases
• Press Clippings
• Community Updates
• ASEP Training Program
• MERX Tender Reports
• Job Opportunities
• Construction Companies
• Entrepreneur Centre
• First Nation Communities
• Support Organizations

The Unama’ki communities are taking a business like approach to our economic development planning.

Press Clippings

Labrador Hydro Project could lead to jobs for Cape Breton Mi'kmaqs

November 30^th, 2010

RETURN TO TOP

---

Atlantic NewsMakers: Environmental Career Fair Hosted

August 31^st, 2009

RETURN TO TOP

---

Unama'ki Office Hires Officer to Support Local Students

August 25^th, 2009

RETURN TO TOP

---

Mi'kmaq Students Building Expertise in Enviromental Industry

August 11^th, 2009

RETURN TO TOP

---

Benefits Office tells story of Success at National CED Conference in Winnipeg

June 4^th, 2009

RETURN TO TOP

---

Membertou Company Wins $37 Million Tar Ponds Contract

March 7^th, 2009

RETURN TO TOP

---

Tar ponds agency seeks bids for $50M remediation project

December 19^th, 2008

RETURN TO TOP

---

$19 Million Tar Ponds Deal For Unama’ki Communities

September 25^th, 2008

Eskasoni, NS, The Provincial and Federal Government signed a $19 million Tar Ponds deal with the Unama’ki Communities. A new aboriginal procurement strategy for the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup project ensures aboriginal involvement for the rest of the project.

Building on the success of the cooling pond remediation project, the Mi'kmaq First Nations of Cape Breton and government partners signed a procurement strategy that identifies projects set aside for companies with majority aboriginal ownership and control. The strategy satisfies the terms of a protocol agreement signed by the First Nations and government in 2005.

"The Aboriginal procurement strategy is a solid example of the province partnering with Aboriginal Canadians in a way that leads to greater economic opportunities and promotes developing abilities and resources in an emerging industry," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "Aboriginal companies across Canada can now be a part of this important environmental remediation project."

"The five First Nations communities in Cape Breton worked diligently with both the federal and provincial governments to develop a strategy that satisfies the economic goals of our communities," said Membertou Chief Terrance Paul."

Chief Paul represented the five Unama’ki chiefs said, “The Unama’ki communities are taking a business like approach to our economic development planning.” It was almost two years ago that the five Unama’ki communities formed a unique economic partnership to pursue exciting new economic opportunities, including the Sydney Tar Ponds cleanup project.

This partnership resulted in the establishment of the Unamam’ki Economic Benefits Office. The goal of our office is to maximize the economic benefit from major construction projects like the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup Project. “To date we have shown significant results and this success is due to a very strong and very engaged Steering Committee. This Steering Committee is made up of representatives from each of the five communities and the chair of this committee is Dan Christmas of Membertou,” said Chief Paul.

This office acts as a liaison between the communities, the Unama’ki businesses and the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency and other large industrial project in the area. It also provides support and training for Unama’ki businesses.

Chief Paul went on to say, “This is about partnerships. It’s about the communities partnering. It’s about partnering with different levels of government and perhaps most importantly, it’s about partnering with industry.”

In late July the Unama’ki communities signed a long-term training agreement with the Federal government under the Aboriginal Skills Employment Program, know as ASEP. “Training is important, but our people need jobs, our businesses need contract,” said Chief Paul.

“This announcement promises these important jobs, and builds upon recent success of Unama’ki construction companies working on the Tar Ponds project.”

In the fall of 2007, the Federal and Provincial government awarded the first ever aboriginal set-aside in this province. It was a $5 million project and was a great success. The President of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency recently said, “The Cooling Pond project is a clear success. Without question this is largely attributable to the aboriginal contractors working on the project…”.

This agreement builds upon this success and with a long-term commitment, allows the Unama'ki communities to plan and train for these opportunities. The agreement calls for over $19 million in Tar Ponds cleanup projects to be designated as aboriginal set-asides, where only companies that are majority owned and controlled by Aboriginals can bid on these contracts.

“This is a great start to ensuring aboriginal participation in this $400 million cleanup project and a great opportunity for local Aboriginals to demonstrate their abilities and build experience and capacity.

This is positive, not just for the Cape Breton First Nation communities, but for all Cape Breton. And this is just the beginning,” said Chief Paul.

The overall value of the aboriginal strategy set-aside projects is estimated at $19 million, including the cooling pond project.

The government of Canada and the province of Nova Scotia signed a memorandum of agreement on May 12, 2004, committing to remediate the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens sites. It is a $400-million agreement that specifies the cleanup be complete by 2014.

PHOTO Attached
During the Eskasoni press conference, Chief Terrance Paul, left, presented a promotional poster to Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald. The poster representing the great success of the Unama’ki construction companies on the Tar Ponds Cleanup Project. (Photo by Morrison Powell)

RETURN TO TOP

---

Aboriginal Women In Business conference in Membertou

May 27^th, 2008