On June 12, the St. Mary’s Band development corporation, Ɂaq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) held its first annual general meeting.

The AGM was a meeting of the St. Mary’s Band Chief & Council, who act as shareholders to the corporation, and ACE’s Board of Directors.
 The day marked an important step for community ambitions and progress in economic development.

“Well done to the whole team,” said Community Chief Jim Whitehead who was in attendance at the AGM. “The community is taking giant leaps forward through business development directly related to community’s Vision.” Chief Whitehead addressed the participants and ACE Board throughout the meeting and commended the community’s business partners and staff on the positive impact they are creating for his community.

ACE is the development corporation for the St. Mary’s Band, a Ktunaxa Nation Community. ACE’s mandate was formed by the Chief & Council of the Band which is to generate revenue and create economic opportunities through sound business practices and strategic relationships built upon a foundation of fairness and integrity. The corporation was established to generate own-source revenue for the Band so that council can create positive impact for their community in direct relation to the Community’s Strategic Plan.

“ʔaq’am Community Enterprises is just starting out but we’ve accomplished so much already,” stated Becky Pelkonen, Director of Community and Economic Development. “Through the corporation we strive to act as investors and business leaders throughout the region. We form strategic partnerships and businesses that will create a direct benefit to the community and its citizens.”

The AGM was attended by members of the St. Mary’s Band Chief and Council, the ACE Board of Directors, community members, key staff people, and strategic business partners. Topics on the Agenda included a review of ACE’s Annual Report and Financials, an update on the corporation’s strategic business plan and activities for 2014, and a vote of the Directors on the Board Chair.

The board is one appointed by the St. Mary’s Band Council and includes Dallas Cardinal, Robert Williams, Dave Savage, and Marion Eunson. The directors voted in Dallas Cardinal as the ACE Board Chair.

“I’ve been involved with the community’s economic development planning prior to the corporate division being established,” said Dallas Cardinal, ACE Board Chair. “It is so great to now see the direct implementation of the plan we created a few years back and I’m proud to have the opportunity to lead the board to further corporate success.”

ACE is now in its second full year of operations and is working collaboratively with its current business partners including but not limited to MDG Contracting Services, Allnorth Engineering Consultants, and Arctic Arrow Powerline Group. The corporation is also undertaking plans for opening a convenience store this summer and is finalizing the plans for a gravel permit and commercial complex development, all on St. Mary’s Band reserve lands.

To learn more about ʔaq’am Community Enterprises or investment, or partnership opportunities with the St. Mary’s Band, contact Becky Pelkonen, Director of Community & Economic Development at (250) 426-5717 ext. 3543, or by email at [email protected].

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