Economic Development
FORESTRY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS/NISKAMOON
The purpose of the Forestry Enhancement Program is to help and assist hunters and trappers whose trap-lines are impacted by different commercial forestry activities. Tallymen and other land users are entitled to submit proposals through my office to help alleviate the impacts from forestry activities within their trap lines.
This year, thirty-five out of thirty-six impacted trap-lines have submitted proposals. Nine funding agreements have been signed between the Cree Nation of Mistissini and Cree Nation Government with a grand total of $840,670.00.
Some approved project proposals are as follows; equipment subsidies, hunting trails, cabins, cabin shells, tent frames, wood sheds, outhouses, firewood, stream crossings, etc. For this 2018-2019 year, thirty-two impacted trap-lines were entitled to $25,000.00 and four (4) Trap-lines were entitled to $14,700.00.
Niskamoon Corporation’s mandate is to implement the agreements between Hydro Quebec and the Cree Nation Government. Trap lines impacted by hydro development are entitled to submit project proposals to help alleviate impacts from Hydro Quebec infrastructure. The level of impact on a trap line determines what the land user is entitled to. Directly impacted have reservoirs, roads, airports and/or Hydro lines. The directly impacted trap lines have priority when proposals are reviewed for funding. Indirectly impacted trap lines on the other hand only have small station or towers that measure rain or snow fall levels. Trap lines with small infrastructure are only considered for funding if there is a surplus at the end of each year.
A total of 22 Funding agreements were signed between the Cree Nation of Mistissini and the Niskamoon Corporation.
Trap line Remedial works proposals include projects such as the Trans Eeyou Istchee Trail, Cabins, Traditional Dwellings, Cabin Porches, Cooking Frames, Wood Sheds, etc. The total funding for the 2016-2017 year from Niskamoon Corporation is $527,637.00.
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT
By-Law 221 on Labour Standards in the Construction Industry
The Cree Nation of Mistissini considers it important and necessary to promote the hiring of local workers in the construction industry. There was an average of 15 construction projects from the Cree Nation of Mistsissini, Cree Nation Government, Cree School Board and Cree Health Board. The construction in Mistissini was at its highest and busiest peak from June to October 2018. The overall average for hiring/employing local people is 67% for 2018.
The construction works for Spring & Summer started in May 2019; paving of internal roads, housing renovation and mold remediation project under Eskan. A report on the labour statistic will be available in October 2019 once all the works are done. All the contractors that have projects under the band are good in hiring local manpower.
ANNOTATION
It’s quite another busy year at Economic Development Division and we appreciate any feedback we receive from local entrepreneurs and community members on how we better serve the business community.
In the next few months, we are planning to meet with the local entrepreneurs to perform a training needs assessment to identify which training programs can benefit them in their daily operations so that we can start implementing new programs in the upcoming fiscal year 2019-20. Contact us today for more details