AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014-

2015

3

Message from the Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Message from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

JEDI Board of Directors 2014-2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

JEDI Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

JEDI Program Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Supporting Community Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Community Economic Development Success Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Supporting Entrepreneurship and Business Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Entrepreneurship and Business Development Success Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Supporting Workplace Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Workforce Development Success Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Supporting Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Partnerships Success Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

JEDI Workforce Development Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Appendix A - Audited Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Table of Contents

TABLE O

F CON

TENTS

4

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) has been very busy again this past year. Working with partners, we have helped many Aboriginal people and communities achieve their economic develop-ment goals.

JEDI has been pleased to award funding for 19 JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) projects during the 2014/2015 fiscal year representing a total investment of $35,590. Investments were made in entrepreneurs operating in Information and Communications Technology, Aerospace and Defense, Trades and the Service sector. The funding will help these business owners grow their firms and create much-needed jobs in their communities.

Another way JEDI invested in entrepreneurs was by providing business development training for 115 people during the year. The training was a response to what these businesspeople told us they wanted. In addition, JEDI identified a further 215 Aboriginal businesses this past year operating in Aerospace and Defense, Information and Communications Technology, Engineering, Power Generation and the Service Sector.

JEDI also worked with our partners to create the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy through engagement with Aboriginal communities across the province. The strategy is a roadmap for Aboriginal participation in the multibillion dollar National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) contracts due to begin in 2015. The New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy is already opening doors to business and career opportunities for Aboriginal people across New Brunswick both at home and in Nova Scotia. As well, the strategy development process has strengthened relationships with our current and new partners whether they be Aboriginal Tribal Councils or industry organizations such as the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association or the New Brunswick Building and Construction Trades Council.

The JEDI Plenaries have continued to experience growth and increased support. Our October 2014 Plenary in Fredericton focused on encouraging respectful economic development partnerships with

Aboriginal communities and broke a record for attendance with 150 attending from communities across New Brunswick. The February 2015 Plenary in Moncton attracted a record amount of vendors for the Plenary Trade Show. Average Plenary attendance for the year was 125 people and the event attracted sponsors such as RBC Royal Bank, CCNB, St. Mary’s Retail Sales and the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning.

JEDI is also proud of its workforce development efforts. We have been working with all 15 Aboriginal communities and people living outside their communities to help them achieve careers in information and communications technology (ICT), trades, mining, and transporta-tion. Thirty-one people have received employment in ICT while 189 people have become employed in mining, energy and trades.

Finally, JEDI launched its own golf tournament in 2014 that raised money for a new community fund to support community-focused initiatives outside JEDI’s traditional mandate. The tournament at-tracted more than 100 people and raised $2,000 for the fund which has already funded a middle school entrepreneurship project and a community Pow Wow.

All of JEDI’s achievements are because of the partnerships we have with the 15 Aboriginal communities of New Brunswick, the North Shore Micmac District Council, the MAWIW Tribal Council, the Saint John River Valley Tribal Council, the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick and the many private sector partners we have.

Woliwon. Wela’lin. Thank you.

Alex DedamPresidentJoint Economic Development Initiative

Message from the ChairAlex Dedam, President, JEDI

5

MESSA

GE FRO

M TH

E CHA

IR & CEO

Message from the CEOLynn Poole-Hughes, CEO, JEDI

Dear partners, funders and clients of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI):

I am proud to present to you this copy of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) 2014-2015 Annual Report.

The fiscal year, 2014-2015, was a pivotal year for us in which we focused our efforts on our core mission of working with partners to foster economic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities in New Brunswick. Work at JEDI is carried out through four key strategic priorities: Economic Development, Workforce Development, Communications and Stakeholder Relationships, and JEDI Organizational Development.

The words “strategic priorities” sometimes sounds official and disconnected from the actual work, however, at an organization like JEDI, the “strategic priorities” are really all about our clients. Under Economic Development in 2014-2015, JEDI worked with dedicated entrepreneurs like Laura MacFarlane (profiled in this report), a red seal cook from Metepenagiag. Our team was able to assist her in several areas, including navigating the Apprenticeship program and helping her learn how to overcome some of the obstacles related to being a small business owner.

Under Workforce Development, JEDI assisted people like RJ Dedam from Esgenoopetitj (profiled in this report), who work hard and do their best to provide a better future for their families. In 2014-2015, JEDI started a Digital Literacy program (profiled in this report), which saw us go into many Aboriginal communities in New Brunswick and help clients who wanted to learn how to use a computer, safely use the Internet, use Microsoft Office software, and navigate social media.

Communications and Stakeholder Relationships are also important to JEDI. In 2014-2015, JEDI held its First Annual Provincial Aboriginal Job Fair in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This job fair provided a direct connection between our industry partners and the clients that we

serve at JEDI. JEDI also hosted three successful plenaries in 2014-2015. Our plenaries have grown to include sessions with keynote speak-ers, panels, workshops, and a trade show that features many New Brunswick Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

JEDI hosted our First Annual Golf Tournament in 2014-2015. The Golf Tournament is a fundraiser that allows us to reach outside of our man-date and help other important ventures in the communities. Featured in this report is a profile about the wonderful partnership between JEDI and four enthusiastic Aboriginal students from George Street Middle School in Fredericton, New Brunswick who benefited from this fund. Finally, JEDI held our First Annual Pow Wow Photo Contest in 2014-2015, a wonderful opportunity to showcase Aboriginal culture in New Brunswick and a way to connect with individuals from communities across the province.

We continue to strengthen our organization and the JEDI team continues to grow. We are honoured to have the privilege to serve the Aboriginal people of New Brunswick.

On behalf of the entire JEDI staff and board members I would like to thank our partners, funders and clients for your support. Your contin-ued support and positive comments are the fuel that keeps us moving forward to make JEDI’s 20th year a memorable and successful one.

Sincerely,

Lynn Poole-HughesCEO Joint Economic Development Initiative

6

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is a not-for-profit organization that supports Aboriginal partici-pation in New Brunswick’s economy .

JEDI began in 1995 as a forum that brought together leaders of First Nations communities and organizations in New Brunswick with leaders from the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick and New Brunswick’s private sector in an effort to improve economic and workforce development opportunities for First Nations in New Brunswick . Since 1995, JEDI has been active on its mandate and now operates as an indepen-dent not-for-profit organization that boasts many successes in Aboriginal economic and workforce development .

JEDI is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), the New Brunswick Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat (AAS), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (DPETL) . In addition to government funding, JEDI also receives support from the private sector as well as Aboriginal com-munities and organizations . JEDI is governed by a JEDI Inc . Board of Directors consisting of Aboriginal, private sector, and funding partners .

Programs under the management of JEDI include: the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF), the Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator Partnership, the Aboriginal Adult Learning and Apprenticeship Coordinator Partnership, youth initiatives such as the Aboriginal Internship Program (AIP), the JEDI/Brunway Bursary Program and the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) .

MissionJEDI works with partners to foster economic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities .

VisionHonouring traditional values, we strive for full Aboriginal participation in the New Brunswick economy .

JEDI is committed to working cooperatively with all stakeholders to achieve this mission and vision . The strengths of JEDI include strong stakeholder commitment in an open forum; credibility; longevity; a proven track record; recognition as a good partnership model nationally and JEDI’s position as a non-political organization .

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) forged closer relationships with our partners this past year and established many new ones. One of those new partners is RBC Royal Bank. Here, JEDI CEO Lynn Poole-Hughes, left, draws the winner of the Pow Wow Social Media Contest with Samantha Bosca, Branch Manager for RBC Royal Bank.

7

JEDI BO

ARD

OF D

IRECTO

RS

JEDI PresidentAlex DedamEsgenoopetitj First Nation620 Bayview DriveBurnt Church, NBE9G 2A8506-776-1330506-778-1061alex .dedam@nb .aibn .com Assembly of First Nations ChiefsRepresentativeChief Gabriel AtwinKingsclear First Nation77 French Village RoadKingsclear First Nation, NBE3E 1K3506-363-3028gabrielatwin@kingsclear .ca

First Nation Economic Development RepresentativesLynn FrancisElsipogtog First NationRR#1, 373 Big Cove RoadElsipogtog First Nation, NBE4W 2S3506-523-8200lf@efned .ca Jim WardNorth Shore Micmac District Council38 Micmac RoadEel Ground First Nation, NBE1V 4B1506-627-4611jimward@nb .aibn .com

First Nation ASETS Mike GirouardNorth Shore Micmac District Council38 Micmac RoadEel Ground First Nation, NBE1V 4B1506-627-4611michaelg@nb .aibn .com

Laurie PaulMAWIW Council Inc .150 Cliffe Street, Box R12Fredericton, NBE3A 0A1506-461-5177laurie .paul67@gmail .com

First Nation Business Liaison Group of NB RepresentativeBill BelliveauBell Strategic698 Main StreetMoncton, NBE1C 1E4506-863-5589heronplace1@rogers .com

New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council RepresentativeWendy WettelandChief320 St . Mary’s StreetFredericton, NBE3A 2S4506-458-8422chief@nbapc .org

New Brunswick Business Council RepresentativeSusan HoltCEO440 King Street, Suite 626Fredericton NBE3B 5H8506-444-8919susan .holt@nbbc-cenb .ca Private Sector Human Resource Representative Karen AtwinDragonfly Solutions37 Friesen Drive,Islandview, NBE3E 1A3506-238-3384karen .atwin9@gmail .com Ex-Officio’sPatrick FrancisGovernment of New Brunswick Aborginal Affairs SecretariatKings PlaceP . O . Box 6000Fredericton, NBE3B 5H1506-462-5172patrick .francis@gnb .ca

Manson GloadeAboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada1809 Barrington StreetSuite 500 5TH Floor CIBC Bldg Halifax, NS B3J 3K7902-661-6480manson .gloade@aandc-aadnc .gc .ca

Helen ChampionAtlantic Canada Opportunities Agency570 Queen Street PO Box 578 Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6506 452 2469helen .champion@acoa-apeca .gc .ca

Jenna SappierService Canada633 Queen Street Fredericton, NBE3B 1C3jenna .sappier@servicecanada .gc .ca Diane HawkinsGovernment of New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and LabourChestnut ComplexP . O . Box 6000Fredericton, NBE3B 5H1506-453-8707diane .hawkins@gnb .ca

JEDI Board of Directors 2014-2015

8

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

JEDI PartnersThe North Shore Micmac District Council, the MAWIW Tribal Council, the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council and the Saint John River Valley Tribal Council assist JEDI by providing guidance, establishing rela-tionships and assisting with JEDI projects .

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) support JEDI with core operational funding as well as providing financial and/or in-kind assistance to projects or clients on request .

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) provides financial support for the New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) and New Brunswick Aboriginal Mining, Energy and Trades (NBAMET) training-to-employment projects .

The Department of Post-Secondary, Education, Training and Labour (DPETL) provides financial support to a variety of initiatives such as supporting the staff positions of the Project Coordinator, the Communications Manager, the Administrator/Registrar, the Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator and the Aboriginal Adult Learning and Apprenticeship Coordinator . DPETL also provides additional support to JEDI’s projects such as providing Workplace Essential Skills assessments and training .

The New Brunswick Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat provides assistance to JEDI by building partnership con-nections and providing financial and/or in-kind assistance to projects or clients on request .

The New Brunswick Business Council helps JEDI by establishing relationships across New Brunswick and assisting with JEDI projects .

JEDI also routinely receives sponsorship of events such as the JEDI Plenary via the generous contributions of many public and private sector organizations .

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) completed the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy in 2014-2015. In June 2014, JEDI hosted a shipbuilding-focused Plenary in Miramichi to share findings with communities and entrepreneurs. Here, New Brunswick Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat Deputy Minister Patrick Francis, receives a gift as a thank you for helping to make the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy a reality.

9

JEDI PRO

GRA

MS-ECO

NO

MIC A

ND

WO

RkFORCE D

EvELOPM

ENT

JEDI Programs Overview“Honoring traditional values, we strive for full Aboriginal participation in the New Brunswick economy .”

Since 1995, JEDI has worked closely with the Aboriginal community and many stakeholders to champion economic development through four directions:

• Supporting Community Economic Development • Supporting the Development of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses • Supporting Aboriginal Workforce Development • Supporting Partnerships Between Aboriginal Communities and the Public and Private Sectors

JEDI continues to support Aboriginal economic development in the province of New Brunswick through various initiatives and projects . In this section we will highlight these directions and provide examples of the ways in which JEDI provides continued support for Aboriginal economic and workforce development .

Shane Perley Dutcher, an Aboriginal artist from Tobique First Nation, has been a client and a partner of JEDI for many years.

10

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

Supporting Community Economic Development

JEDI completed an active year in the area of Community Economic Development . Activity focused in the Aerospace and Defence, Information and Communications Technology, Mining, Energy and Trades sectors .

Aerospace and DefenceAt the request of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), JEDI created the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy in September 2014 that will serve as a roadmap to supporting Aboriginal participation in the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy . The strategy development process featured community information sessions, workforce and business research, a ship-building-focused JEDI Plenary, promotion of Aboriginal businesses who could take part in the shipbuilding industry and the creation of a strategy working group . Initial implementation of the strategy also took place in the final quarter of the fiscal year that featured the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key industry, organized labour and Aboriginal stakeholders . Moreover, new relationships have been forged with companies such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Weatherhaven, GE Canada and members of the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association .

Information and Communications TechnologyJEDI concluded the pilot portion of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) Project with the graduation of a group of Mobile Application Development Specialists from various Aboriginal communities across New Brunswick . Many of these computer programmers have started businesses or returned to their communities to support the development of ICT infrastructure . In late 2014, le Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) partnered with JEDI to launch a second Mobile Application Development program .

Mining, Energy and TradesJEDI concluded a series of training programs in mining, energy and trades that resulted in 189 people becoming employed from across New Brunswick . Many of these training programs supported commu-nity economic development, such as the Trevali Mining training-to-employment program that supported Aboriginal communities in northern New Brunswick .

Daniel Verrault, Vice-President of GE Canada, explains GE Canada’s interest in engaging Aboriginal businesses and communities during a JEDI Plenary. The New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy, completed during the 2014-2015 fiscal year, has opened the door to community economic development opportunities in the aerospace and defence sector.

11

COM

MU

NITy ECO

NO

MIC D

EvELOPM

ENT SU

CCESS STORy

Community Economic Development Success Story

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, JEDI launched its Digital Literacy program in Aboriginal communities across New Brunswick .

The program recognized the need to expand upon current activities and is integrating pieces of the Aboriginal Workplace Essential Skills training program to provide a more holistic approach to readying adult learners for the increasingly digital workplace landscape . Successful completion of the program provides the participants with a well-rounded understanding of basic computer and internet use, as well as, experience working with Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint . Certificates are issued to participants who complete the program .

The Digital Literacy program provided training for almost 150 people, province-wide, in 2014-2015 . Training began in Oromocto First Nation and has since included many other communities such as Metepenagiag, Eel Ground, Esgenoopetitj, Eel River Bar, Pabineau and St . Mary’s .

In addition, the Digital Literacy Coordinator was approached by Corrections Canada to create and deliver workshops for offenders that ready themselves for release, as well as, ex-offenders living in transition homes . These workshops will increase the participant’s computer skills so they can present themselves profession-ally while seeking employment opportunities . Programs will be delivered to inmates at the Dorchester Penitentiary and the Kikewey Wig Transition House .

JEDI also worked with artsNB on the development of training for artists living in Oromocto, Kingsclear and St . Mary’s . This partnership helped the artists learn the skills necessary to create an online presence, includ-ing learning how to use WordPress, Wix, Social Media and how to market their materials on the internet .

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) led a digital literacy initiative in communities across New Brunswick in 2014-2015 designed to help people improve computer skills. Pictured here: Oromocto First Nation digital literacy class on graduation day.

12

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

Supporting Entrepreneurship and Business Development

Pauline Young from Eel Ground First Nation, owner of Pauline Young Art, sits at her booth during a JEDI Plenary Trade Show. The addition this past year of a trade show to JEDI Plenaries has helped Aboriginal entrepreneurs showcase their businesses.

JEDI undertook an ambitious agenda this past year of investing in Aboriginal entrepreneurs and small businesses financially, as well as, with capacity build-ing resources . This included activities through the JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF), and the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy . Activity focused in the Aerospace and Defence, Information and Communications Technology, Mining, Energy and Trades sectors .

Aerospace and DefenceAs part of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy, JEDI forged relationships with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Irving Shipbuilding, BAE Systems, Weatherhaven, GE Canada and members of the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association that will open doors to procurement opportunities for Aboriginal businesses . As well, JEDI partnered with ProfitLearn to provide business capacity development workshops to 60 Aboriginal entrepreneurs at the February 2015 JEDI Plenary, as well as, 40 business owners who took part in New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy workshops in Miramichi and Fredericton in Spring 2015 . Workshop topics focused on networking, strategic business operation and pro-posal development . JEDI also identified 19 Aboriginal businesses who could take part in the aerospace and defence supply chain and developed a plan for sup-porting these companies . These businesses operate in information and communications technology, engineering, metal fabrication, electrical and security .

Information and Communications TechnologyFour of the 16 graduates of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) Project’s initial Mobile Application Development class received JADF sup-port to help them start their mobile application development businesses . Those entrepreneurs were part of a total of 19 projects supported representing a total investment of $35,590 for the fiscal year .

Mining, Energy and TradesDuring the fiscal year, JEDI provided support for 19 JADF projects and referred 51 clients to partner organizations for further support such as Ulnooweg, Business Development Bank of Canada, Community Business Development Corporations and the Government of New Brunswick . JEDI also organized business capacity development training for 115 Aboriginal entrepreneurs . Many of these entrepre-neurs have businesses operating in the mining, energy and trades sectors . Other projects ranged from support of the development of a high-tech river turbine business by an Oromocto entrepreneur to the creation of a culinary business by a Metepenagiag entrepreneur now living in Stanley .

13

ENTREPREN

EURSH

IP & BUSIN

ESS DEvELO

PMEN

T SUCCESS STO

Ry

Entrepreneurship and Business Development Success StoryLaura MacFarlane, from Metepenagiag, was married at 16, had six kids and now, many years later, she is a red seal cook at Nashwaak Villa and owns her own business, the Mac Shack food truck.

“I got married when I was 16 and I left high school, then I went back and wrote my GED and I went on to work hard and work honest,” said Laura. “To be able to study and really get some education for myself made me proud. It’s wonderful to be a stay at home mom and a housewife but to have something on paper that you can show others makes you feel good.”

Laura loves to cook and she has been working in the food industry for most of her life. About six years ago, she started working at Nashwaak Villa in Stanley, NB. Nashwaak Villa moved into a new facility in 2013 and Laura has been employed as a cook there ever since the move.

“About a year and a half ago I was interested in going to challenge my red seal to be a cook,” said Laura. “I always wanted to get my certification to ensure myself a better chance at getting a job. I knew that someone would be retiring and in order to get that job I thought I would give myself a little boost by getting my red seal.”

Laura contacted JEDI and JEDI connected her with the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Branch under Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour. Laura was able to challenge her red seal as she already had the 9000 hours of restaurant or food industry experience required to get her red seal. The only other component was passing the exam.

“JEDI really helped me,” said Laura. “I have six children and sometimes to buy a text book or to pay to write a test, that doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but when you are basically living paycheck to paycheck and you are looking after your family, for someone to give you that little bit that you need… the lack of money might be the excuse to not go forward. You might think that maybe I don’t have $500- $600 to put into this, but that little bit of money alone was a big help. I studied that book relentlessly. I went from zero to red seal in three months. I wrote my test and now I’m red seal certified.”

Being a red seal has not only helped Laura get the job that she wanted, it has also improved her lifestyle.

“I was making good money doing what I was doing before I became a red seal,” said Laura. “This is the best job that I have ever had but once I became red seal certified my salary liter-ally almost doubled. That makes you love your job even more.”

Laura didn’t just want her red seal though, she also wanted to start her own business. Around the same time she started the process to chal-lenge her red seal, she also bought a food truck.

“We bought a food truck about a year and a half ago and we call it the Mac Shack since our last name is MacFarlane,” said Laura. “We love it. It’s a 1980 curb master truck, it was originally a food truck. I’ve seen it parked on the road for probably about five years and I finally convinced my husband to buy the darn thing. We bought it, we gutted it, did it all up in deck steel and brought it up to standards for cooking in. My son painted it, all of our family chipped in and helped with this project and it’s been very good for our whole family. We travel around to some festivals with it. We set up in the village park here in our community, we’re supported above and beyond what we expected with our truck. People seem to like us, they seem to like our food.”

JEDI helped Laura get her business going. The economic development team helped her to figure out what she wanted and needed for her business, including connecting her with people that could help her with a business plan.

“JEDI had recommended that I talk to someone who owned a food truck on Eel River Bar reserve and they were very gracious,” said Laura. “I went over to talk to them to see what was working for them and what wasn’t working for them. They gave me some great ideas about travelling around to different reserves and for pow wows and things like that that are going on; the good money makers. They showed me through their operation and told me of some places where they did their ordering. That is always helpful, wherever you can save costs, that’s important when you have your own business.”

As a business owner, Laura has to think about costs, but that isn’t her sole focus. Her main strat-egy for her food truck is to serve great tasting food that keeps her customers coming back for more.

“I love to cook, I love everything that I put into my food,” said Laura. “I don’t want to brag about my cooking but I cook it the way I’d want to eat it. We always butter and toast our buns in the food truck, our meat is 100% ground beef, everything is fresh, made to order. There are a lot of shortcuts you can take and a lot of financial cuts that you can make but the curb master truck is a 1980 and that was kind of our theme. We were thinking that if we keep everything natural and real like it was back then, people are going to like it. People want their burgers and I make the best burgers.”

Laura isn’t content to keep her business as it is though, after the success of her first summer, she wants to get a second food truck.

“Maybe I’ve got dollar signs in my head or something but I bought enough equipment to start up a second food truck,” said Laura. “We know that there may be more work coming to the area in the future and that means more jobs in our community. We’re thinking that another food truck might be a good idea. We’re not sure where it’s going to go or if it’s gonna fly or if we’re going to sell it again in a year or two but we’re having fun with what we’re doing right now. We’re tired, but we’re having fun.”

Laura is an inspiration to anyone who wants to follow their dreams and she has some great advice about giving it that something extra.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it,” said Laura. “The opportunities are out there for anybody. It’s not easy and they’re not going to give it to you, you have to work really hard. You have to do that little extra to be able to study and think that you can do it and make it happen. It is worthwhile for sure. JEDI helped me to believe that I could do this. This was going to be my work, but with JEDI’s help I was able to succeed. I’m very proud to be red seal certified.”

Laura MacFarlane, from Metepenagiag First Nation, is a red seal chef and owner of the Mac Shack Food Truck. MacFarlane is one of the many JEDI Aboriginal Devel-opment Fund clients.

14

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) hosted its first annual Aboriginal Job Fair in May 2015. Pictured here are Economic Develop-ment Officer for Eel River Bar First Nation, Sacha Labilliois, Anita Boyle, JEDI Provincial Aborignal Employment Coordinator Penny Polchies and Armour Transportation Human Resource Specialist Kevin Blackman.

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, JEDI provided essential workforce development services for Aboriginal people in New Brunswick . These services focused on: training-to-employment programs, assisting clients with career action plans and creating links to employment . JEDI focused on its workforce development efforts through the New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) Project, the New Brunswick Aboriginal Mining, Energy and Trades (NBAMET) Project, the Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator (PAEC), the Aboriginal Adult Learning and Apprenticeship Coordinator (AALAC) and the Aboriginal Labour Market Information Analyst (ALMA) .

JEDI served 231 clients in the NBAICT Project . Of these 231 individuals, 192 received Workplace Essential Skills (WES) and Digital Literacy instruction while 19 entered advanced ICT computer programming instruction . Thirty-one individuals have received employment in the ICT sector .

In August, 2014, CCNB partnered with JEDI on two projects . The first was to deliver a Mobile Application Development (MAD) program in NB and the second was to create an online MAD program for CCNB’s BlackBoard portal . The online course will be available to Aboriginal people anywhere in Canada .

JEDI served 366 clients in the NBAMET Project . Of these 366 individuals, 144 received training in sectors rang-ing from transportation to mining . One hundred eighty nine are now employed in mining, energy and trades .

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, AALAC registered 192 individuals in upgrading training ranging from WES to Digital Literacy . AALAC also supported the registration of 12 Aboriginal apprentices in the New Brunswick apprenticeship system . AALAC also remained actively involved in key committees such as the New Brunswick

Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy Working Group, the NBAICT Steering Committee, the NBAMET Steering Committee and the NBCC Innovation Program Advisory Committee .

PAEC coordinated an Employment Training Officer (ETO) information meeting in November 2014 in Kingsclear to update ETOs from across New Brunswick on key opportunities and information ranging from the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy work set to begin at Irving Shipbuilding to the new Aboriginal Labour Market Information Analyst project . PAEC also supported the Aboriginal Employment Services Initiative (AESI) Committee and coordinated the inau-gural New Brunswick Aboriginal Job Fair in May 2015 in Fredericton . The event connected 250 Aboriginal people to 25 employers ranging from TD Bank to JD Irving Ltd . PAEC served 173 clients and communicated 200 employment opportunities .

Finally, ALMI began work during the 2014-2015 fiscal year . The project has been researching the Aboriginal workforce in New Brunswick . Achievements in the fis-cal year included supporting the establishment of data sharing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Tribal Councils in New Brunswick, industry, educational institutions and organized labour . ALMI also developed a monthly newsletter reporting key labour market sta-tistics to stakeholders focused around different indus-tries each month . As well, ALMI has provided blog post-ings to JEDI’s blog of more than 1,000 followers, made presentations to key stakeholders, identified research projects, identifying improved data record processses and written columns for the Telegraph Journal .

Supporting Workforce Development

15

WO

RkFORCE D

EvELOPM

ENT SU

CCESS STORy

Workforce Development Success Story

RJ Dedam spent 11 weeks driving 1 .5 hours, twice a day, in order to take the training he needed to begin a new career as an underground miner .

“My girlfriend watched both of our kids at home while I was taking the course,” said RJ . “She was very support-ive of me going . I never missed a day .”

RJ lives in Esgenoopetitj and the underground mining course included seven weeks of in-class training at NBCC Miramichi and four weeks of on-the-job training at the Caribou Mine . His hard work and dedication paid off as he is now working and training with Major Drilling Co ., formally known as Taurus, as a Drilling & Blaster helper at the Caribou Mine .

“The training lasted 11 weeks,” said RJ . “The onsite training was 8am-3pm each day, which included lots of walking, scaling, pipefitting and just using the equip-ment that was down there . The same basic work that a miner would do . The best part of the course is that now that I have completed it, I’ve got a full-time job and will have steady income to provide for my family . And of course, it was a great experience to be given the opportunity to learn something new and to get out of my comfort zone .”

RJ is glad to have the security of full-time work . Over the last four years he has done seasonal work at the fish processing plant in Caraquet .

“It’s a full-time job for at least six years in this mine,” said RJ . “This is what I want to keep doing for the rest of my life . It’s a good career to be in . They’re saying that this will be going for a while so I’m not concerned about having to change jobs in the future .”

RJ was glad that he found this opportunity and took the chance .

“If It wasn’t for JEDI I probably wouldn’t have been in the course,” said RJ . “JEDI had a very important role, they helped pay half of the tuition for the students . It’s great to have an organization like them looking out for our First Nations people .”

RJ is looking forward to his new career . He has this advice to share with others who are starting something new .

“If there’s any advice I can give, it’s that with hard work and dedication you can do anything you set your mind to,” said RJ . “I feel that if I can do it, anyone can, just stick to it and you can get things done . It should definitely pay off in the end!”

RJ Dedam, from Esgenoopetitj First Nation, is a Drilling Blaster Helper at the Caribou Mine. His training and employment is the a result of the combined efforts of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), Pabineau First Nation, the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), Trevali Mining Corporation and the Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (DPETL).

16

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

RBC Royal Bank partnered with The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) on many initiatives in 2014-2015. One example was a social media contest JEDI launched to promote community Pow Wows. Pictured here are JEDI President Alex Dedam, contest grand prize winner Annie Mae Morrison and Paul Panun, Vice-President of Commercial Financial Services for RBC Royal Bank, Western NB during the grand prize presentation.

The mission of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is to work with partners to foster Aboriginal economic and workforce development in New Brunswick. JEDI carries out this mission everyday by working closely with partners such as the 15 Aboriginal communi-ties in New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, the MAWIW Tribal Council, the Saint John River Valley Tribal Council, the North Shore Micmac Tribal Council, the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, as well as, a variety of public and private sector partners.

Aboriginal Internship ProgramJEDI renewed its Aboriginal Internship Program partnership with artsNB to provide continued support for the work of the organization’s Aboriginal Outreach Officer Natalie Sappier. Her work continues to improve Aboriginal access to existing artsNB programs and led to dedicated programs and partnership development for Aboriginal artists, communities and organizations.

JEDI Brun-Way BursaryJEDI awarded more JEDI/Brun-Way Bursaries this past year. Sal Poirier, from Madawaska First Nation and Twila Malcolm-Foran from Eel River Bar First Nation were the lucky recipients of the funds. Sal is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Twila is a nursing student at UNB.

JEDI Social Media ContestJEDI launched a new social media contest this past year to promote the many Pow Wows in New Brunswick. Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, the

contest encouraged people to visit the many Pow Wows that took place in various communities across the province and submit their photos or videos of the event to JEDI for a chance to win a weekly $25 prize and be entered in the draw for the $500 grand prize. The contest received 81 entries. Annie Mae Morrison, from Metepenagiag First Nation, received the grand prize at the October 2015 Plenary attended by 150 people.

JEDI PlenariesJEDI Plenaries received record attendance this past year and sponsor-ship from a variety of existing and new partners. RBC Royal Bank and Le Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) continued their support by sponsoring the October and February Plenaries. The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and St. Mary’s Retail Sales provided sponsorship of the October Plenary and the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning became a new supporter and sponsored the February Plenary.

Roughly 100 people attended the June Plenary in Miramichi focused on the New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy. At the October Plenary in Fredericton, 150 people took part in conver-sations about meaningful engagement with Aboriginal communities. During the February Plenary in Moncton, 125 people attended a series of entrepreneurship and community economic development presenta-tions designed to provide the latest professional development skills and raise awareness of how First Nations are open for business. The event featured a record 23 booths taking part in the trade show.

Supporting Partnerships

17

PARTN

ERSHIP SU

CCESS STORyPartnerships Success Story

It’s been almost a year since JEDI first met some industrious First Nation students at George Street Middle School (GSMS) in Fredericton, NB. At that time, the students had started to write and illustrate a children’s book for the entrepreneurship program that GSMS participates in every year through The Learning Partnership.

Last week, the students celebrated the delivery of the first hard copies of their newly published book. The authors and illustrators of the book are Baillie Sacobie, Theo Polchies, Amber Solomon, and Brooke Sacobie, all from Kingsclear First Nation.

Their book, titled “Weyossisok” which means ‘little animals’ in the Woolastooqiyik language, is an early childhood picture book written in both Maliseet and English. The book features a few different animals that are important to the Maliseet culture and includes short sentences on each animal.

“When we were in elementary school we didn’t have any good books that were First Nation books,” said Theo, “so we decided that we wanted kids to learn Maliseet and we decided to do a children’s book to help them learn.”

“This book is important because we don’t want our language to be lost or to fade,” said Baillie, “so we figured that if we just taught the basics that people would learn it and then they could pass it down.”

Walter Paul, the students’ former Maliseet teacher at GSMS, was the main translator for the book, taking what the children had written in English and then translating it into Maliseet. Theo’s grandmother, Barb

Atwin, also helped with the translation. Natalie Sappier, a local Aboriginal artist, helped the children with the book as well and gave them tips and suggestions for their illustrations.

Megan Young-Jones, the first Nations literacy teacher at GSMS, has also been working with the students on this project.

“I’m very excited for the students because they have been putting in so much work for two years,” said Ms. Young-Jones. “I’m not their homeroom teacher so we would only have about two hours, in a good week, that we would work together. I’m very fortunate that our administration recognized how important this project was and all of the learning that was taking place. I just helped to guide them through the process of working together as a team. It’s supposed to be student-led so while I might offer a suggestion once in a while it’s up to them to debate whether they want to take my suggestion or if they want to go their own way. This can be hard as a teacher because sometimes you can see where they might be going astray and you really want to pull them back, but it’s really about them learning the process. Now that they have their product, they are able to go out and be celebrated for all of the work that they’ve done. That’s going to be fantastic for them.”

JEDI has also played a part in helping to get this book completed. JEDI has a small fund which can be used to help small community/ group ventures. This fund was created using proceeds from the JEDI golf tournament in October 2014.

“We didn’t really know how we were going to get the money for the book,” said Baillie.

“We were going to ask the school and then we came across JEDI and they helped us out with a grant which provided the seed money.”

Bryan Harn, the Economic Development Officer at JEDI, has been mentoring the students throughout their project. He helped them to work on resumes, create a business plan for their book, and to fill out the application for the grant money. He also invited them to JEDI’s last plenary in Moncton.

“Working with Bryan has been wonderful,” said Ms. Young-Jones. “JEDI has been an amazing business partner for us to have. Bryan has been excellent working with the children. Going to the plenary event in Moncton was huge for them, I think they realized the potential they can have and it opened a lot of doors for where they can go in their future.”

The students have big plans now that their book is ready.

“We ordered 30 books with our seed money,” said Amber, “so we could see who would be interested in buying our book.”

“It was kind of like a starter pack to see if we could sell them,” said Baillie. “We didn’t want to order a lot of books and then not have people buying them.”

The interest is already there for the books though. Tracey O’Reilly, the Kingsclear First Nation Education Director, purchased some books on the first day they were available and several of the Kingsclear council members have expressed interest in buying books as well.

“We’re targeting the whole District 18, Anglophone West District,” said Brooke. “We’re also focusing on selling them in Kingslcear, St Mary’s and Tobique.”

“We’re using the profit from the sale of our books to buy books for the school on the reserve in Kingsclear,” said Baillie. “We noticed that when we all went through there that they didn’t have many books so we want to help them get more books.”

The experience has been great for the stu-dents. They learned a lot about building a business, creating a book, and have learned personal skills as well.

“It was a really cool project and we learned a lot of skills,” said Brooke, “like how to do business plans and resumes, so it helped us out a lot.”

“I learned that you have to be persistent with stuff,” said Baillie. “If someone doesn’t answer your email you have to send it again and again. That was a good skill to learn. I also learned a lot of Maliseet because we said it over and over again for the recordings.”

“I’ve noticed a huge gain in their confidence and self-esteem, that’s the main thing,” said Ms. Young-Jones. “I’m very excited and proud of these students.”

JEDI is also proud of these young entrepre-neurs and we look forward to following their success and the success of their book.

People interested in purchasing the book can contact Ms. Young-Jones at George Street Middle School or contact Bryan Harn at JEDI.

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) used funds raised from its inaugural golf tournament in 2014 to support an entrepreneurship school project by children from Kingsclear First Nation. The project, the publication of a children’s book in Maliseet, won a national award from the BMO Entrepreneurial Adventure Program. Here, JEDI Economic Development Officer Bryan Harn, centre, poses with the middle school students and their teacher.

18

JED

I AN

NU

AL

REPO

RT 2

014

- 201

5

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) community economic development activities are focused on helping Aboriginal communities across New Brunswick achieve their community economic develop-ment goals.

JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF)The JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) is a tool that enables JEDI to promote economic development in the First Nation communi-ties of New Brunswick. The JADF provides funding to communities to support business and community economic development planning. Initiatives must be of strategic importance to JEDI. The JADF provides a maximum contribution of up to 50% of total planning costs, not to exceed $5,000. Many of the19 JADF projects funded this past fiscal year have a community economic development focus.

Aboriginal Economic Development Officer (EDO) MeetingsJEDI hosts a number of Aboriginal Economic Development Officer (EDO) meetings throughout the fiscal year. Most gatherings take place along-side meetings of the Aboriginal Employment Training Officers (ETOs) and are designed to provide the latest information on issues, projects and opportunities of importance to EDOs, as well as, solicit feedback

on what initiatives EDOs would like to pursue. Items of discussion this past fiscal year focused on defence, information and communications technology, mining, energy, trades and the service sectors.

Special InitiativesJEDI often pursues special initiatives throughout the fiscal year that are of value to Aboriginal communities. These efforts provide a timely and customized support to the community it serves. This past fiscal year, JEDI supported the Weyossisok project in Kingsclear First Nation that featured four young people from that community. These George Street Middle School students published a children’s book in Maliseet and the project won the national BMO Community Impact Award from the Entrepreneurial Adventure Program which encourages young people to pursue entrepreneurship.

JEDI PlenaryThe JEDI Plenary is a conference that brings Aboriginal economic development professionals, entrepreneurs and career seekers together with partners from government and the private sector. Each Plenary focuses on an Aboriginal economic development issue of importance and features a keynote speaker, an interactive panel discussion, capac-ity development workshops and a trade show.

Community Economic Development Focus

Laura MacFarlane, left, and Helen Ward-Wakelin speak during a JEDI Plenary economic development panel. The JEDI Plenary has grown in size this past year achieving two attendance records. Plenary topics during the past year focused on the National Shipbuilding Pro-curement Strategy, industry engagement of Aboriginal communities and businesses as well as how First Nations are open for business.

19

AUD

ITED FIN

AN

CIAL STATEM

ENTS

Audited Financial StatementsJOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE INC.

Statement of OperationsYear Ended March 31, 2015

JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE INC.

Statement of Operations

Year Ended March 31, 2015

2015 2014

REVENUEESDC - New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications

Technology (Schedule 3) $ 113,980 $ 1,996,284

ESDC - New Brunswick Aborginal Mining, Energy & Trade (Schedule 1) 842,808 1,030,418

DPETL Projects (Schedule 2) 537,373 331,675

Other funding (Note 7) 876,706 348,547

ACOA 294,625 290,845

AANDC - Core funding 225,000 282,806

AAS 105,000 105,000

Interest income 217 615

2,995,709 4,386,190

EXPENSESESDC - New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications

Technology (Schedule 3) 113,980 1,996,284

ESDC - New Brunswick Aborginal Mining, Energy & Trade (Schedule 1) 842,808 1,030,418

DPETL Projects (Schedule 2) 537,373 331,675

Accounting fees 5,650 8,187

Advertising and promotion 11,431 7,602

Conferences expenses 21,683 67,987

Insurance 2,570 2,245

Interest and bank charges 1,504 1,181

Miscellaneous 23,439 18,157

Office 20,569 32,613

Project costs 861,447 401,723

Professional fees 14,155 17,600

Rental 521 43,397

Repairs and maintenance 6,170 4,255

Salaries and wages 362,951 350,360

Telephone 17,908 17,364

Training 27,247 5,066

Travel 31,538 21,345

2,902,944 4,357,459

EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FROM OPERATIONS 92,765 28,731

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) Deferred contributions related to property and equipment - (288,752)

Amortization of deferred contributions related to P&E 51,500 28,875

Amortization of property and equipment (51,500) (28,875)

- (288,752)

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES $ 92,765 $ (260,021)

4

11-150 Cliffe Street Fredericton, NB E3A 0A1

506-444-5650 @jedinews

facebook .com/jedinb