Eskasoni Corporate Division Open for Business
July 03, 2012
It is official! Eskasoni is open for business as they celebrated the grand opening of the Eskasoni Corporate Division on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Sarah Denny Cultural Center.
Representative in attendance included, Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny and his council, along with other Unama'ki Chiefs, MLA Alfie MacLeod, Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Catherine Blewett, representatives of CBRM, ECBC, other local dignitaries, Industry Partners and community.
In just a few short months the Eskasoni Corporate Division has established solid partnerships with two MOU signings with Valard Construction Ltd and Juwi Wind Canada and Community Wind Farms Inc.
Eskasoni Corporate Division plans to partner with other Unama’ki (Cape Breton) Bands to strengthen the Economic Stability of the Cape Breton region. As well other ventures that they feel are viable for their needs.
The Eskasoni Corporate Division was established in May 2012 and is led by General Manager Steve Parsons along with Alyssia Jeddore, Business Development Manager and Amanda Marshall, administrative assistant.
Eskasoni Corporate Division mandate is to provide investment, business and employment opportunities for the people of Eskasoni. The Eskasoni Corporate Division allows Eskasoni to be open for business and seeks to create Economic Sustainability for the community of Eskasoni and its members.
Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni spoke about how the Chief and Council are working hard to provide opportunities for their community, “By launching our corporate division, we mean business and want to get things done. Our young people are demanding opportunities for work and I want to create those opportunities for our young people.”
A veteran now in the corporate world, Membertou Chief, Terry Paul provided words of encouragement, “In opening your corporate division, you are putting yourselves on a level playing field with private business. You are opening doors that may not have been opened to you before. And you are creating opportunities for your people to grow and to excel.”
Chief Terry added, “I look forward to watching your success and even more so, I look forward to working with you as you make your mark on the corporate world.”
For the first time in over 14 years, the Eskasoni band is debt free. Eskasoni Corporate Division General Manager Steve Parsons said, “Eskasoni is looking forward in playing a big role in the corporate world and with the band being in great financial standing Eskasoni Corporate Division has great opportunities to create working relationships.”
One of the major sectors the Eskasoni Corporate Division will focus on will be environmental sustainability as Mi’kmaw, “We are the keepers of the land and we want to ensure we are doing our part in protecting our environment,” added Chief Denny.
Chief Denny concluded in his speech, “As the largest Mi’kmaq Community we feel it is crucial that we continue taking the required steps to ensure success for our future generations who are always our priority.”
