Russ Rothney – Neechi Commons
Transcription
Russ Rothney – Neechi Commons
Neechi Foods Co-Op Ltd. 325 Dufferin Ave. over 22 years in business groceries, catering, take-out, Aboriginal specialty goods Lord Selkirk Park neighbourhood community economic development principles worker cooperative 15 staff community environment financial Your investment is needed to help open Neechi Commons this summer! www.neechi.ca neechifoods@shaw.ca *local fruits & vegetables *neighbourhood supermarket *bannock bakery *fish market *ethnic foods *farmers market *cafeteria restaurant *hardware *Aboriginal arts centre community environment financial Your investment is *North-end revitalization *Aboriginal & neighbourhood pride needed to help open Neechi Commons this *over 50 new jobs summer! *century-old heritage restoration Neechi Foods Co-Op Ltd. *geo-thermal 325 Dufferin Ave. *Green Globes award www.neechi.ca neechifoods@shaw.ca *30 % provincial tax credit role of the community in determining goals and success? • origins: economic development training sponsored by Aboriginal organizations + community consultation meetings • choice of a worker cooperative model • household shoppers - sales and innovations • organizations • Neechi Commons – integrated design process addressing the social aspect of community? • creation of community identity in the context of economic “refugees” •community economic development • employment • business ownership / co-op membership • training and role modeling / Aboriginal pride • community health – 1st grocery store to not sell cigarettes, healthy foods promotion, diabetes prevention work • creation of “Community United for Change” •North-end revitalization addressing the environmental aspect of community? • promotion of regionally harvested and processed foods • geo-thermal heating and cooling • building heritage restoration • Green Globes certification • physical accessibility • Neighbourhood safety • no air miles addressing the economic aspect of community? • restoration of economic balance & opportunity • application of Neechi CED Principles: local employment and training – democratic business ownership – purchases of locally produced goods – creation of goods & services used by community residents – local reinvestment of surpluses (profits) – promotion of other CED enterprises – promotion of community health – emphasis on human dignity addressing the cultural aspect of community? • builds on historic traditions of economic activity based on sharing and collective selfreliance • understanding that a community-based economy is needed to sustain community values • understanding that economic independence fosters cultural integrity • promotion of artistic expressions of Aboriginal culture • respect for North-end traditions addressing equity? • promotion of opportunities for Aboriginal People • promotion of opportunities for lowincome households • respect for people with diverse abilities and challenges • gender sensitivity • age sensitivity • ethnic sensitivity impacting public policy? • The Government of Manitoba, as well as various community organizations, have adopted and adapted the eleven Community Economic Development principles compiled by the members of Neechi Foods Co-Op in 2003. • Neechi’s work on Dufferin Ave. has helped to inspire community and cooperative initiatives locally and across Canada. • Neechi Commons will heavily reinforce this impact.