From left to right sitting: Montreal Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) Councillor Troy Naytowhow, MLCN Vice Chief Dean Henderson, MLCN Chief Frank Roberts, MLCN Councillor Stanley Bird, MLCN Councillor Eldon Henderson. Standing from left to right Montreal Lake Business Ventures (MLBV) Borden Wasyluk, MLCN Councillor Debbie Kasheep, MLBV Chairman Noland Henderson and MLBV Director Roger Bird. (submitted photo/ Robert Fincati)

By Nigel Maxwell

Business

MLCN ratifies new business charter

Jan 28, 2020 | 4:48 PM

A new agreement ratified last week by Montreal Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) chief and council will help create wealth and sovereignty for the community, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Montreal Lake Business Ventures Limited (MLBV).

Robert Fincati spoke to paNOW about the importance of the signing ceremony which happened on Jan. 17. Fincati explained the agreement creates stability for MLBV on entering into partnerships and business relationships.

“What it really does is help separate business from politics and allows MLBV to operate with an independent board of directors and not to allow political interference,” he said.

The business charter, developed by Montreal Lake Cree Nation, is one of the recommendations made by the Harvard Project for Nation Building. The U.S.-based Harvard Project represents a 20-plus year study that aims to understand and foster the conditions under which sustained, self-determined social and economic development is achieved among Indigenous communities through applied research and service.

Prior to last week, Fincati explained MLBV already embarked on a number of economic initiatives including shared positions at Manitobah Mukluks and Sterling Concrete out of Shellbrook, as well as entering into a long term agreement with Carrier Forest Products.

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“There are some other initiatives we are working on right now,” he said.

Despite the move away from political interference, Fincati said MLCN leadership was not only in support of this charter, they also were the driving force behind it.

“We went through a couple of different administrations since I’ve been working with MLBV and really the whole intent going back to before I was CEO was to separate business from politics and really make that a reality,” he said.

In a statement, Chief Frank Roberts said the agreement is an exciting step that will benefit the community for years to come.

“Our goal is to build wealth and provide employment opportunities for our people. This business charter is an agreement that outlines how we want to do that, and exactly what everyone’s roles and responsibilities are,” he said.

He added the charter also allows leadership to concentrate on matters of importance to our community members and provides stability for our economic development activities that often takes time to develop.

“I am excited to be signing this business charter, because I believe it is a very positive step toward the long-term objective of wealth sovereignty for Montreal Lake Cree Nation,” he said.

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nigelmaxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell