Volume 1, Issue 2 August 2013

Joint Economic Development Initiative

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

The mission of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) Inc. is to work with partners to foster economic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities. JEDI has experienced many successes along its journey towards achieving this mission since our last newsletter. These achievements include exceeding targets for Aboriginal access to adult education, community economic development milestones; an increased investment in Aboriginal entrepreneurs and the launch of Canadas first Aboriginal mobile application development training program. I am sure you will enjoy the success stories detailed in this newsletter as well as the wealth of information detailing what JEDI has been working on. We value your interest in JEDI and look forward to working with you in the months ahead. Sincerely, Lynn Poole-Hughes CEO Joint Econommic Development Initiative (JEDI)
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Chief Joanna Bernard, centre, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Grey Rock Power Centre. This multi-million development is one of the many success stories JEDI helped communities celebrate reccently.

Inside this issue:

1
Message from Chief Executive Officer

4 Profiles 7 JEDI Plenary and Partnerships Gala

1

2 JEDI News

ABOUT JEDI
The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) works with partners to foster Aboriginal economic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities. Honouring traditional values, JEDI strives for full Aboriginal participation in the New Brunswick economy JEDI achieves its goals through: supporting the development of Aboriginal entrepreneurs and small businesses; supporting community economic development; supporting Aboriginal workforce development; and supporting partnerships between Aboriginal communities as well as the public and private sectors. Programs and services now delivered through JEDI include: the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI); the Aborginal Adult Learning and Apprenticeship (AALA); the Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator (PAEC); the Aboriginal Internship Program (AIP); the JEDI-Brunway Bursary; the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF); the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG) economic development national website; and a variety of professional development opportunities for economic development professionals and Aboriginal businesspeople as well as a selection of support opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. JEDI is also proud of the many partnerships and events it facilitates such as the quarterly JEDI Plenary. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and please feel free to contact JEDI anytime at 1-888-8849870 or 506-444-5650. Please also visit www.jedinb.ca National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award Available The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), a JEDI partner, is seeking nominations for its National Youth Entrepreneur Award. This award recognizes an up-and-coming Aboriginal Entrepreneur under the age of 35. The winner will receive a $10,000 financial award and be recognized at CCABs 2014 Toronto Gala. For more information on the award and to submit a nomination, visit the CCAB website at www.ccab.com.

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship and Business Development Aboriginal business owners from across New Brunswick are signing up to the JEDI Aboriginal Business List. This database is recording the Aboriginal businesses operating in New Brunswick. Through the list, JEDI is communicating with Aboriginal entrepreneurs about important news. As well, JEDI is lobbying for more programs and services to support Aboriginal businesspeople based on the information received through recent surveys. If you are an Aboriginal entrepreneur, please add your business to the list by filling out the form available on the JEDI website or through this link: JEDI Aboriginal Business List. JEDI is investing in Aborignal entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. The JEDI Aborignal Development Fund (JADF) recently completed $37,500 in investments in eight projects resulting in the establishment of new businesses as well as assistance for existing enterprises. Indivuals living in Madawaska, Tobique, Woodstock, Eel Ground, Kingsclear, St. Marys, Elsipogtog and outside their communities benefited from the support. The investments also leveraged $190,000 in partner resources. For more information on JADF or to apply, please visit the JEDI website at www.jedinb.ca or this link: JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF). Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities are benefiting from a variety of workshops and presentations JEDI is organizing with partners. Workshops and presentations are offered on a variety of business topics ranging form startup to social media marketing recently completed in Woodstock, Elsipogtog, Eel Ground, Madawaska, St. Marys and Tobique. More are planned. Please contact JEDI to request a workshop.

Robert MacGillivray of Ulnooweg Development Group speaks to a Business Basics Workshop at the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation earlier this year. JEDI was one of the partners who organized the event.

NEWS
Community Economic Development The Madawaska Maliseet First Nation is welcoming more new tenants to its multi-million dollar Grey Rock Power Centre near Edmundston. Construction will soon begin on new buildings to house new retails and hospitality businesses. The community held a grand opening for the Grey Rock Power Centre in May. JEDI congratulates the community on their success and is pleased to have supported the project. JEDI is working with the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG) to promote community economic development success stories across Canada through a national website. JEDI hosts the website that attracts hundreds of visitors a month and showcases community economic development activities in a number of areas. The AAWG is a partnership between the National Aboriginal Organizations and the Provincial and Territiorial Governments of Canada. If you have a story to share, please contact JEDI. The website can be viewed at www.aawgecdev.ca. JEDI is hosting regular meetings of community Economic Development Officers (EDOs) and Employment Training Officers (ETOs). Two gatherings recently took place in Moncton highlighting major opportunities such as the National Shipbuilding Strategy. More meetings are planned for the near future. JEDI is looking forward to the second year of its partnership with the Government of New Brunswick on adult learning. JEDI concluded the first year of its Community Adult Learning Services (CALS) Partnership with the Government of New Brunswick by exceeding its targets. As part of the arrangement, JEDI received a mandate to open the doors to CALS programs for 200 Aboriginal adult learners. JEDI achieved a final result of helping 421 new Aboriginal adult learners access CALS programming. JEDI would like to congratulate Darrah Beaver for her work on the file and wish her well in her new role with Ishkonigan. For the year ahead, JEDIs mandate has expanded to include increasing Aboriginal participation in apprenticeship. Jimmy Arnold will lead the work as the new Aborignal Adult Learning and Apprenticeship Coordinator. Employment services is continuing to play an important role in what JEDI provides clients. Penny Polchies joined JEDI last year as the Aboriginal Employment Faciliator. She has forged many positive relationships and helped launch a number of rewarding initiatives. Her role will now become Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator where she will work even more closely with community, government and industry partners to help clients find rewarding careers. JEDI has partnered with artsnb to help the organization hire two Aboriginal Outreach Officers under the Aboriginal Internship Program (AIP). Katie Nicholas and Natalie Sappier have been hired and will provide promotion of artsnb programming/grants and also undertake capacity-building workshops targeted to Aboriginal artists in New Brunswick.

Aboriginal Workforce Development After completing six Orientation to ICT Careers courses, the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) is providing four specialized information and communications technology training classes across New Brunswick. Administered as part of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) project, these classes are focused on Mobile Application Development and Network/Desktop Support. Fifty students are attending the courses and will receive industry certification once they complete their studies. A group of about 21 students are taking part in summer internships with a variety of ICT employers. AWDI also recently hosted a Reverse Job Fair that provided NBAICT students and opportunity to network with ICT employers. The event attracted national attention as APTN showcased the day on its national news broadcast. NBAICT has trained 100 people to date from the communities of Eel Ground, Metepenagiag, Esgenoopetitj, St. Marys, Tobique and Kingsclear. Many off-reserve students have also attended the classes.

The graduating class of the Elsipogtog New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology Orientation to ICT Careers Class pose for a photo during a graduation ceremony held in Elsipogtog in May.

Brad MacMillan remembers how challenging it was to discover he had Crohns Disease in 2000. It got worse as the years went on, MacMillan says. So I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was forced to retire from the RCMP. So in Oct 2011, I was officially a retired RCMP. Instead of letting the illness defeat him, the Eel Ground First Nation resident found an opportunity to pursue a new direction in his life. At first it was quite disappointing to be forced into early retirement because of my disease, MacMillan says. But I quickly made a decision that this would be the time to really focus on building the ultimate fitness gym. That is what I did. What Mr. MacMillan did is create The POUND, a Eel Ground First Nation-based gym that helps people meet their fitness goals. The business has quickly become one of New Brunswicks fastest-growing fitness clubs and MacMillan has recieved many accolades. MacMillan is one of the many Aboriginal entrepreneurs The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) invested in during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Mr. MacMillan received an investment from the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) as well as a variety of other support. He says the inspiration for The POUND came from the need he saw. I started to help some friends get more fit, MacMillan says. It was more of a stress reliever than anything. One friend told another, then another, then another, and quite quickly I was training about 15 people. So I knew then that I had something to work towards. I truly believe that people like to do hard work and be rewarded for it, MacMillan says. So everyone that comes to my gym knows that they are in for a very tough workout but at the end, they are rewarded by knowing that this is going to help them reach their fitness goals. He says he is grateful for the support he has received from family, friends, his community and many others.

SUCCESS STORY

Brad MacMillan, Founder of the POUND fitness club in Eel Ground, is one of the entrepreneurs JEDI has invested in through the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF). Mr. MacMillan was honoured in April as a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Miramichi Young Professionals and Involved Entrepreurs (MYPIE) Gala.

Without them, none of this would be possible, MacMillan says. He has big plans for his business and his career. I want to just to keep getting better and continue learning about the fitness industry, MacMillan says I will also expand into other markets across the Maritimes. Another POUND will be opening up in the Richibucto area and I plan on opening up in other First Nation communities across the Maritimes and eventually all across Canada.

n t Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) has merged with the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI). This change will now allow for a seamless delivery of Aboriginal economic development and workforce development services in New Brunswick. JEDI will now operate with an economic development arm and a workforce development arm that will support the organizations mandate to support Aboriginal participation in New Brunswicks economy. JEDI will do this through supporting the devel-

PROGRAM PROFILE
JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund
The JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) is a tool that enables JEDI to promote economic development in the First Nation communities of New Brunswick. The JADF will provide funding to entrepreneurs/ existing businesses and communities to support business and community economic development planning. This is a pilot project with limited funding, and applications will be assessed on a first come, first serve basis. The JADF will provide financial support for economic and business/entrepreneurship development initiatives that are of strategic importance to JEDI as outlined below: A) Community Economic Development Plan There is a maximum contribution of up to 50% of total planning costs, JADF not to exceed $5,000. B) Business and Entrepreneurship Development Business plans (start-up or expansion) Marketing plans Management training Mentoring programs and business support Seminars and workshops on specific business topics Entrepreneurship development

(Maximum contribution of up to 50% of total planning costs, JADF not to exceed $2,500) Note: No costs are to be incurred until JADF approval. Eligible costs do not include: Regular salaries and expenses Cost of management, administration, communica tions or evaluations of the proposed initiative The cost of land, general use of vehicles and vessels, or inventory costs Costs incurred prior to date of receipt of the proposal by JEDI Inc. Conference attendance

Julia Kennedy-Francis speaks at the April 2013 JEDI Plenary in Moncton. Ms. Kennedy-Francis is one of the recent recipients of an investment from the JEDI Aborginal Development Fund.

JEDI Inc. is looking forward to assisting entrepreneurs and communities through the JADF. For more information on the application process, please visit the JEDI website at www.jedinb.ca.

JEDI Plenary and Gala

JEDI hosted a JEDI Plenary and Partnerships Gala in April in Moncton. The event welcomed more than 120 people from communities across New Brunswick, industry, the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick and a variety of industries. Guests heard inspiring speaches from former Canadian Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller, Vancouver 2010 Olympics co-organizer Tewanee Joseph and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business President and CEO JP Gladu. JEDI is pleased to showcase photos from the event:

n t Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) has merged with the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI). This change will now allow for a seamless delivery of Aboriginal economic development and workforce development services in New Brunswick. JE
Darrah Beaver of Ishkonigan poses for photo during the JEDI Partnerships Gala that took place on April 25th at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton.

Elsipogtog Economic Development Director and JEDI Board Member Lynn Francis, left, and Erin Sweet of the New Brunswick Community College take time out for a photo at the JEDI Partnerships Gala.

JEDI Economic Development Manager Charles Harn addresses the JEDI Plenary on April 26th at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton. Mr. Harn introduced the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) and two of its recipients.

Former Canadian Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller poses for a photo just before speaking to the 120 people who attended the JEDI Partnerships Gala on April 25th at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton. Ms. Horn-Miller was one of three keynote speakers who addressed the Gala and JEDI Plenary on April 26th. Guests of the JEDI Plenary take part in lunch during a break in the event. The day featured a keynote address from Vancouver Olympics co-organizer Tewanee Joseph as well as workshops and presentations on Aboriginal entrepreneurship issues.

JEDI Plenary and Gala

High school students from Eel Ground took part in the JEDI Plenary and Partnerships Gala. Pictured here from left to right are Hunter Francis, Jonathan Ginnish, Randy Patles and Austin Martin.

Vancouver 2010 Olympics co-organizer Tewanee Joseph addresses the JEDI Plenary held on April 26th in Moncton.

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) held its latest JEDI Plenary at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton in April. From left to right are JEDI CEO Lynn Poole-Hughes, JEDI President Alex Dedam, Vancouver 2010 Olympics coorganizer Tewanee Joseph, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business President and CEO JP Gladu, JEDI Economic Development Manager Charles Harn and Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative Executive Director Karen LeBlanc.

Guy Leger of the New Brunswick Department of Economic Development explains the new community economic development system to JEDI Plenary guests as part of one of three workshops during the event on April 26th.

Participants in the Saint John Business Basics Workshop organized by JEDI and Ulnooweg Development Group share an opportunity to network.

The Joint Economic Development Initiative has acheieved

many successes along its journey to achieving its mission of working with partners to foster ecnomic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities. Lynn

Poole-Hughes, CEO, Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)

Established in 1995, the Joint Economic Development Initiative is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal participation in New Brunswicks economy through championing Aboriginal economic and workforce development. JEDI is an innovative non-profit organization that works closely with partners to development and administer programs and services that support economic development, community economic development, workforce development and partnerships with Aboriginal communities.
Funding for the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick.

Joint Economic Development Initiative

Telephone: 506-444-5650 Toll Free: 1-888-884-9870 Fax: 506-444-3387 www.jedinb.ca www.facebook.com/jedinb www.linkedin.com 8