Cooperatives Secretariat of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada published a study on the native cooperative movement. This study published on their Website gives an idea of the span of the native cooperative movement in Canada and of its contribution to regional economies.

Adapted from: agr.gc.ca

On the Website of the Indian and North Affairs Canada, we discover a portrait of the cooperative village of Puvirnituq located in Nunavik. The three authors, such as Sarah Beaulne, a student living in the village, analyze the impact of this cooperative on the local socio-economic development.

Adapted from: ainc-inac.gc.ca

This cooperative, founded in the 1980s, works in the tourism, wildlife management and logging areas. The wildlife area of Mastigouche covers two regions: Mauricie and Lanaudière. The cooperative includes volunteers who ensure the maintenance of forest trails.

Adapted from (french only): cooptm.qc.ca

This study has been prepared by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives / University of Saskatchewan. Available in PDF file on the university's Website, the study shows a portrait of some of the 133 existing Canadian native cooperatives. We learn, for example, that most of them are located up North.

Adapted from: coop-studies.usask.ca

Essipit

Essipit is an Innu community located on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River, near the Escoumins River. Cooperative projects have been implemented to encourage economic development and the return of its members that were scattered elsewhere. These Innus clearly show their cultural heritage and their identity.

Adapted from: essipit.com

Réginald Moreau

Réginald Moreau and his cousins Ross decided at the end the 70s to make things change in Essipit. They contacted the Ministry of Indian Affairs to express their desire to manage the community. They developed a planning to direct their community and made the inventory of their resources along with a report of their ideas and their needs. A few years later, the cooperative project of Réginald Moreau was implemented, and it enabled the whole community to get back on its feet.

Marc Genest

Marc Genest, hired in 1992 as the Economic manager of Essipit, gives consultations expertise to businessmen by providing them business start-up tools. He acts as the liaison person between financing organisations, departments and the community. He is from a native community of Lac Saint-Jean. The sense of belonging he found and the cordiality of the people of Essipit enhanced his desire to get more involved for their well-being. In brief, he is madly in love with his new home region!

Denis Ross

Born in Essipit, he has been the Chief for almost 25 years. Since his father was the former Chief, he knows the history of his community. He was first a councillor before being elected chief by his peers. He dreams of making the Innu language a mandatory course taught in primary schools. According to him, this is essential to the survival of the local culture. In his eyes, the main asset of Essipit is the strong sense of belonging of its members.

Diane Moreau

Diane is Réginald Moreau's sister, one of the pioneers of the economic growth in Essipit, and she is also the cousin of Chief Denis Ross. She grew up in Essipit, but was forced to comply with the Indian law and to leave her community when she married a White from Bergeronnes in 1965. This law being less severe now, Diane was able to come back in her community in 1992. She is working as the information clerk for the Essipit Cruises since10 years. She is very proud of talking about her culture to tourists and introducing them to native knowledge.

Kim Moreau

Kim, 20 years old, grew up in Essipit before going to Saguenay for her studies. Kim has two job positions in Essipit: monitor at the Youth Centre and at the Reservation Centre of Essipit Cruises. She receives calls from several tourists from all over the world who are making reservations for their stay. Kim took advantage of the classes provided to the youth of the community in order to get familiar to her culture and her roots. She is happy to learn these notions that were almost lost by her parents.

The honourable Aurélien Gill

Friend of Denis Ross' father, Aurélien Gill knew his father well during the 70s. Nominated as senator by Jean Chrétien in 1998, he is member of senatorial committees of native people and is part of several parliamentary groups. Native issues are specially his interests. Being a well-known native businessman, senator Gill is a restless militant at the local level and is a fervent defender of the interests of native people in Canada.

Adapted from: liberal.parl.gc.ca