For Immediate Release
December 8, 2004

News Release

Ontario Government Applauds Aboriginal Business Partnership

Ontario and Ten Northern First Nations Celebrate Wasaya Group Business Success

Photo of Roberta Jamieson, Tom Kam and Michael Bryant

Left to right: Roberta Jamieson Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation; Tom (Kam) Kamenawatamin, Chairman Wasaya Group Inc.; The Honourable Michael J. Bryant, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs.

TORONTO – The Ontario government and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation congratulate the Wasaya Group Inc. as the recipient of the 2004 Ontario Aboriginal Business Partnerships Award, Michael Bryant, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs announced today.

"Our government recognizes the participation of Aboriginal people in making Ontario strong and prosperous" said Bryant. "This is a good example of the success that can be achieved when the Aboriginal communities and businesses work together," he added. Minister Bryant will be joined by Roberta Jamieson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, to present the award at a celebration this afternoon at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Road.

Wasaya Airways LP is the main business of the group and operates an extensive passenger service, charter and freight network throughout Northern Ontario and Northern Manitoba. Wasaya Group Inc. employs approximately 300 people, of which 30 per cent are Aboriginal. The group provides services and a portion of its net income to member First Nation communities.

The Wasaya Group Inc. is a partnership of ten northern First Nations. It was originally founded as a First Nation business enterprise in 1989 and is comprised of Bearskin Lake First Nation, Kasabonika Lake First Nation, Kingfisher Lake First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Wapekeka First Nation, Webequie First Nation, Wunnumin Lake First Nation and (as of November 30, 2004) Muskrat Dam First Nation and Pikangikum First Nation.

"The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation is proud to honour Aboriginal achievement in the business sector," said Jamieson. "Aboriginal people are very interested in being major economic players and we have a great deal to contribute to the economic health of the province and all of Canada."

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation received 42 eligible nominations for the 2004 Ontario Aboriginal Business Partnerships Award. "Partnerships foster economic opportunities, create employment and generate prosperity for people," Bryant said. "The Wasaya partnership has made links between northern communities better, thereby enhancing the quality of life in remote communities and promoting northern tourism."

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Contacts:

Merike Nurming
Communications Branch
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
416-326-4079

Sandra D'Ambrosio
Minister's Office
416-326-1000

Chris Allicock
Publicist
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
416-319-8003