The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will invest a total of $929,337 in eight projects that will improve capacity and skills development in all three Northern territories.
Dechinta Bush University – Development Plan
CanNor Investment - $300,000 (SINED)
Dechinta Bush University has been working in partnership with Canadian universities to establish itself as a post-secondary institution in the Northwest Territories. CanNor's investment will enable the Dechinta to strengthen its curriculum, governance structure and operations.
As part of Dechinta's three year plan, they will expand course offerings to cover issues of relevance to the North. Courses will be taught by leading academics, experts and elders in a co-teaching, land based format. With this funding, the University will be able to hire faculty members, curriculum and program development staff and elders; and engage in marketing and communications initiatives, which will contribute to the university's long term business sustainability.
Nunavut Community Economic Development Organization (NCEDO) – Development Plan
CanNor Investment - $169,655 (AED)
This funding will go towards training and capacity development of NCEDO staff by creating a plan to transfer knowledge and skills from experienced staff to new employees. NCEDO will also use this funding to develop their marketing and communications functions to improve client services, program delivery and streamline administrative processes to better serve local entrepreneurs.
Nunavut Economic Developers Association (NEDA) – Sector Development
CanNor Investment - $125,000 (AED)
NEDA is developing a comprehensive training program that will target specific groups of people in communities to develop their skills and knowledge so they have the necessary qualifications to participate in the Northern labour market. This is a three-phased approach that will see NEDA organize workshops and sessions either in person or using a learning portal on NEDA's website.
CanNor's investment in Phase I includes the completion of a Community Profiles Database and funds to organize their Annual Professional Development Conference in Baker Lake.
Baffin Region Chamber of Commerce – Conference Marketing
CanNor Investment - $93,834 (SINED)
Nunavut has the potential to become a viable conference destination for meetings, conventions and retreats. This project will promote Nunavut across Canada to increase interest and knowledge of the territory to conference organizers. With CanNor's investment, the BRCC will work with conference coordinators to plan and prepare for events in Nunavut.
The BRCC anticipates this project will attract up to nine more conferences to Nunavut by the end of 2012.
Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) – Musk Ox Harvest Revitalization
CanNor Investment - $75,000 (SINED)
The ICEDO has been involved in the commercial musk ox harvests since 1997, including extensive research into how to conduct operations and develop a market for products. CanNor is investing funds in infrastructure and equipment, including a loader, abattoir, snow mobiles and generators. This investment will help assure the long term success of a traditional economic activity that is an important part of life in the high arctic.
Uqqurmiut Inuit Artist Association – Tapestry Workshop
CanNor Investment - $75,000 (AED)
Weaving has contributed to the cultural heritage of Pangnirtung for generations and the tapestry studio has played a key role in its development. The tapestries produced in Pangnirtung are not found anywhere else in the world and are in high demand.
In order for this artwork to continue to thrive and contribute to the economy, new artists must be trained, and those already working in the field benefit from upgrading their skills. CanNor's investment will support basic and advanced training in this exclusive form of weaving through a series of workshops. This will increase employment in the community and generate significant economic activity given the demand for Pangnirtung tapestries.
Hamlet of Pangnirtung – Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study
CanNor Investment - $70,375 (AED)
Pangnirtung, which has a large youth population, will do a feasibility study on whether to establish an Entrepreneurial Centre for Youth. The focus of the proposed centre is to train young men and women in business by providing resources, skills development, support and expertise.
The investment will support the development of a comprehensive plan that will ensure the Centre provides ongoing support to youth in Pangnirtung to become successful entrepreneurs. This plan will include input from local youth, the community and technical experts.
Council of Yukon First Nations – Forest Inventory and Capacity Training
CanNor Investment - $20,473 (SINED)
Members of Yukon First Nations received training as field assistants, learning methods to gather forest inventory data to be used in making resource management decisions within First Nations' traditional territories. This kind of skill development requires significant amounts of training on the land. It allows participants to understand the purpose and value of collecting resource management data and how the data is used.
CanNor Programs
Funding for these projects came from two programs. Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) is a suite of programs that focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories. Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) refers to a suite of national programs that are administered by CanNor in the territories to encourage the participation of First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations in the territorial economy.
