Arrowhead Development Corporation
The year 2005 was a banner year for the corporation and the First Nation. In July, the corporation was awarded the
"Manitoba First Nations Business of the Year" by the Tribal Council Investment Group of Manitoba at its annual
conference, "Navigating the Road to Success". The Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council nominated the corporation for
consideration of the award. In October, Long Plain First Nation was awarded the "Community Economic Developer of
the Year" by the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO). Each year CANDO hosts a
national annual general meeting and conference. At this national conference, delegates cast ballots on nominees
for both Individual and Community Economic Developers. Each nominee is allowed 20-minute presentations with voting
taking place after the last presentation. The auditing firm of Meyers Norris Penny nominated the Long Plan First
Nation for consideration of this award. Other notable news:
- The fiscal year of 2005/06 saw a continued increase of gross revenues for the development corporation, increasing to $23,824,874.00 from $17,279,417.00 the previous year.
- Two new businesses were created; Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre and Bigfoot Bingo. The total amount of employees increased to approximately 120.
- As one major project just opened its doors, the Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre, another will soon begin (Miskwaanakwadook Place).
Businesses & Services
The Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre's (KKMQ) official grand opening was held on July 27, 2005. The
KKMQ is designed to host large meetings/gatherings and to provide gaming on a larger scale. The KKMQ hosted large
functions in its large hall and boardrooms such as; Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs - Chiefs Assembly, Southern Chiefs
Organization - Chiefs Assembly, Portage Pitbulls Football Club wind-up, DOTC Annual General Meeting & Christmas
Party, Portage Water Sports New Years Eve Bash, Western Canadian Pond Hockey Championship Socials, RONA trade show
and AMC Youth Gathering, just to name a few.
Several organizations have indicated that they will again utilize the KKMQ for its events on an annual basis because of the hospitality and fully functional conference facilities.
KKMQ is the home of Bigfoot Bingo which opened for business on August 10, 2005 and operates five nights a week
employing approximately nine people.
KKMQ is also the home of the Arrowhead Crescent Gaming Centre which offers 50 video lottery terminals. This gaming centre contributes a fair share of revenues generated from the corporation businesses. The Arrowhead 305 Gaming Centre also operates on the Long Plain First Nation offering 10 video lottery terminals.
ADC continues to operate two very successful gas bars; the Arrowhead Crossing Gas Bar and the Arrowhead Portage Gas Bar. In October 2005, the corporation entered into an agreement with First Canadian Fuels to supply fuel to the Portage Gas Bar. First Canadian Fuels is owned by the Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba. Once the current fuel supply agreement for the Crossing Gas Bar expires, another agreement with First Canadian Fuels will be signed.
Arrowhead Development Corporation manages and funds the following businesses and services:
- Arrowhead 305 Gaming Centre
- Arrowhead Crescent Gaming Centre
- Arrowhead Crossing Gas Bar
- Arrowhead Portage Gas Bar
- Arrowhead Crescent Cafe
- Rufus Prince Building
- Long Plain Spirit Lodge
- Long Plain Arena
- Rez Radio 101.7 FM
- Long Plain Revolving Loan Fund
- Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre
- Bigfoot Bingo
Special Projects
A significant project began in 2005; the First Nations Governance Building project, as it was known then, broke
ground in September. NDL Construction was the general contractor and delivered the turn-key project for $1.8
million. The project was financed by Peace Hills Trust and through revenues from the corporation. The 19,000 square
foot office complex is designed to create long term lease revenue to the corporation and create spin-off revenues
for the nearby gaming centre and gas bar from the additional employees who will be making the exodus from the larger
urban centres into their new offices. In February 2006, the building was named Miskwaanakwadook Place, as chosen from
many entries submitted to a naming contest. The building was proudly named in memory of the late Mrs. Dan (Laura)
Assiniboine.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to assist, support, build and strengthen the Long Plain First Nation's economic base and improve the quality of life of our citizens by creating long-term employment and stable business operations.
Mission Statement
Arrowhead Development Corporation is an organization owned by Long Plain First Nation community. The Corporation is the economic arm of the Long Plain First Nation Government. Our mission is to explore economic development opportunities, ventures and investments for the future well being of the Long Plain First Nation.
Mandate
Our mandate includes establishing, developing, administrating and managing Long Plain First Nation business ventures and providing funding to non-funded community projects, activities and events on behalf of the First Nation.
Public Relations, Donations, Sponsorships
Net revenues from the corporation's businesses are disbursed to several groups and individual needs including:
- Youth & adult recreation sponsorships and donations
- Youth & adult education incentives
- Cultural sponsorships and donations
- K-12 school lunch programs
- Elderly health care
- Community infrastructure and improvements
- New housing and renovations
- Portage United Way
- First Nations Charity Ball - assisting the less fortunate and families on Manitoba First Nations
- Community Christmas donations
- Long Plain Drug Strategy Committee
- Canada Day Celebration
- Long Plain Annual Pow-Wow
- Portage Kinsmen Club
- New business equity and capital
- Long Plain Fire - senior men's Tiger Hill Hockey League
- Indian Residential School Museum of Canada & Fall Gala
Administrative Staff as of March 31, 2006
Tim Daniels — General Manager, ADC-KKMQ
Joseph Peters — General Manager, Gas Bar
Tony Daniels — General Manager, ADC
Geraldine Perswain — Financial Administrator
Stephan Prince — Head of Security
Rhonda Myran — Administrative Assistant
Joyce Perswain — Finance
Terry Francis — Finance
Theresa Myran — Finance
Karl Peters — Finance
Mary Pratt — Finance
Gerald Thunderbirdsky — Bingo Manager
Robert Francis — Rez Radio Manager
Net revenues from the corporation's businesses are disbursed to several group and individual needs including:
4th Annual Rez Fest
The 4th Annual Rez Fest was held on July 23, 2005 at the Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre.
The line-up included (in order of appearance):
Yoza
Slo-Mojo
Shaun Roulette (Rude Mood)
Heritage
Wayne Lavallee
The Clyde Roulette Band
Chester Knight & The Wind (pictured right)
The Pappy Johns Band featuring Murray Porter
The event was recorded by NCI FM and later broadcast on its Friday Night Concert Series.
Talent Show
The 5th Annual Rez Radio Talent Show was held at the Keeshkeemaquah Conference & Gaming Centre on March 18, 2006. Darren Lavallee returned to the talent show as the house band while our very own Lisa Meeches acted as Master of Ceremonies. Many thanks to all the participants, judges and volunteers!