Kakewistahaw wins national award

A local First Nation corporation was honoured nationally recently.

On October 31, Kakewistahaw Economic Management Corporation (KEMC) received the 2013 Economic Developer of the Year Award (community category) from the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) at its annual conference.

Trevor Acoose, KEMC director of corporate operations, said it was very exciting to get such a prestigious award giving credit to the founders.

"It gives recognition for all the hard work they've put in for so many years," he said.

The award was particularly sweet because of the way in which the winner is chosen," Acoose said. "CANDO selects two finalists in each of the three categories. Following 20 minute presentations by the candidates, the delegates vote by secret ballot.

"They weren't just picking a name out of a hat," Acoose said. "I think it really resonated with the crowd. It just makes it that much greater."

Kakewistahaw Council established KEMC in 2003 after years of preparation to separate business and economic development from administration of the Yorkton reserve. Its major projects to date have been the Kahkewistahaw Gas & Convenience Store, Painted Hand Casino and the recently opened Home Inn and Suites.

The businesses operate as Limited Partnerships and are wholly owned by Kakewistahaw First Nation (KFN) creating prosperity for the band and jobs for its members.

This year also saw the opening of Kakewistahaw Sand & Gravel, which generated revenue in six figures, turned a profit and provided employment for four people. Acoose said that may not sound like a lot, but has a big impact for KFN.

"There's a lot of good things going on here at Kakewistahaw and it's starting to pay dividends," he said.

Receiving the award also paid off immediately as KEMC officers networked at the CANDO conference in Winnipeg at the end of October.

"Financial institutions are now knocking on our door wanting to develop partnerships with us," Acoose said.

This will help KEMC expand the sand and gravel operation over the next couple of years. Acoose predicts the work force could double or even triple and envisions revenue of more than $1 million next year.

"We're really excited for 2014 operations," he said.

Success breeds success and KEMC has no intention of resting on its recent award win. They have recently purchased land in Whitewood, with plans to develop that property and are looking at putting up cottages and a splash park right on the reserve itself.

CANDO is a non-profit association founded in 1990 by Aboriginal economic development officers from across the country to enhance training, education and networking opportunities necessary to improve the economic prospects of their communities.