ELEVATE Cape Breton - Fall 2018

FINE DINING MEETS COUNTRY CULTURE P6 Customers enjoy an authentic experience

OCTOBER 2018

FOLLOWING HER DREAMS P22 Culture shock did not deter Lan Zheng

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP AT NSCC P24 Diverse communities join in song and dance

A PUBLICATION FROM THE CAPE BRETON PARTNERSHIP

A SHARED VISION FOR CAPE BRETON • UNAMA’KI First Nations communities unite assets for a stronger Cape Breton P16

Celebrate Your Staff in Membertou this Holiday Season!

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Sharon Ross 902-562-6852 ext. 6106 sharonross@membertoutcc.com

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FALL 2018 ELEVATE

OCTOBER 2018 / VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4

ON THE COVER

A SHARED VISION 16 FOR CAPE BRETON • UNAMA’KI First Nations communities unite assets for a stronger Cape Breton COVER PHOTO BY STEVE WADDEN

6 Culinary cuisine meets country culture Customers enjoy an authentic dining experience with every bite

22 Following her dreams

Culture shock didn’t deter Lan Zheng from embracing life in Cape Breton

24 NSCC celebrates Peace and Friendship Diverse community groups join in song and dance

PLUS 4

PRESIDENT & CEO'S MESSAGE

6

REGIONAL BUZZ

14 NEW MEMBERS Dream Catcher, Wagmatcook First Nation Indigenous Courthouse

27 PARTNERSHIP UPDATE 28 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL ENTERPRISE NETWORK UPDATE

20 WELCOME, PJILA’SI:

29 STRAIT AREA CHAMBER UPDATE

26 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL CHAMBER UPDATE

30 SPECIAL FEATURE: HIRING RECENT GRADS

Elevate is published by The SaltWire Network on behalf of the Cape Breton Partnership

Disclaimer

PHOTO STEVE RANKIN

Cape Breton Partnership Board of Directors Executive Alex Paul, Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office of Nova Scotia – Chair Paula Condon, Nova Scotia Power Inc. – Vice Chair Rob Wadden, Grant Thornton – Treasurer Sandra Killam, Seaside Communications – Secretary Bill Kachafanas, Breton Technologies – Past Chair

Directors Amanda Mombourquette, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce Andrew Alkenbrack, Cabot Links Blaire Martell, Lobsters’ R Us Seafood Dan MacDonald, CBCL Ltd. Gordon MacInnis, Cape Breton University James Wooder, JBW Consulting Inc. Jennifer MacLeod, MacLeod Lorway Marc Dubé, Port Hawkesbury Paper LP Osborne Burke, Victoria Co-op Fisheries Scott MacNeil, Breton Electric Sean Coyle, Casino Nova Scotia Sean Reid, Mulgrave Machine Works Steve Parsons, Eskasoni Corporate Division Jennifer Martin, Membertou First Nation

Cape Breton Partnership Contact SYDNEY OFFICE 285 Alexandra Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2E8 Telephone: 902-562-0122 or 902-562-7182

Publisher: Sarah Dennis President and CEO: Mark Lever Advertising Sales: Scott MacQuarrie Director, Sales & Marketing – Cape Breton Post 902-371-0417 scott.macquarrie@cbpost.com

PORT HAWKESBURY OFFICE 609 Church Street Suite 101 Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia B9A 2X4 Telephone: 902-625-0958 Elevate Magazine Lead – Nicole Simmons For more information about the Cape Breton Partnership visit www.capebretonpartnership.com.

For more information about Elevate Magazine contact Nicole Simmons by phone at 902-562-0122 or by email at elevate@capebretonpartnership.com.

Editor: Lindsey Bunin, lbunin@herald.ca Layout & Design: Peter Ross Contributing Writers: Nicole Simmons, Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney & Area Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce

Elevate magazine makes no warranties of any kind, written or implied, regarding the contents of this magazine and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of information contained herein. The views contained in this magazine are those of the writers and advertisers; they do not necessarily reflect the views of Elevate magazine and its publisher The SaltWire Network.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065080 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to the Cape Breton Partnership.

Copyright 2018 by SaltWire Network Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

2717 Joseph Howe Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2T2 Tel: 902-426-2811 SaltWire.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PRESIDENT & CEO’S MESSAGE

Nurturing relationships Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Cape Breton/Unama’ki

I IMPLORE YOU TO READ ON AND DISCOVER THE UNBELIEVABLE STORIES ABOUT SOME OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY EACH OF THE FIVE FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES. STORIES OF PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND UNWAVERING RESILIENCE.”

CARLA ARSENAULT President & CEO, Cape Breton Partnership

W

e are thrilled to bring you this edition of Elevate Magazine, which focuses on the tremendous movements the five First Nations communities of Unama’ki are making to excel our country towards a path of economic reconciliation.

Building relationships between municipalities and Indigenous communities are integral to the economic and social wellbeing of our island.

The Cape Breton Partnership has been working diligently to bring together all of the communities on Cape Breton Island under the umbrella of the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN) to address the challenges faced by Cape Breton businesses.

This will allow us to build on our many cultures and foster a new, stronger culture of collaboration. To date, we have been able to expand the network to include three more communities, which we proudly announce on Page 21, in the Welcome, Pjila'si story.

We have been overwhelmed with the staggering accomplishments that come out of our island, both in beauty and in business. Cape Breton/Unama’ki was recently recognized as Canada’s Best Kept Secret by National Geographic Magazine. While not a surprise for many Cape Bretoners and those who come from away and have fallen in love with our beautiful island, the global recognition signifies the world is taking notice.

The rich cultural heritage of Cape Breton/ Unama’ki is part of what makes our island unique. The influence of Scottish, Acadian, Irish, English and Mi’kmaq cultures, along with many others, are woven into the fabric that embodies Cape Breton’s narrative.

In 2017, the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB) released the Aboriginal Business Report that explored the relationship between Membertou First Nation and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) as a successful, reciprocal business and economic relationship based on the idea of ‘business mutualism’. As we move to the end of 2018, we continue to facilitate relationships that work to propel that concept forward.

In the last issue of Elevate, we highlighted some incredible female entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities — Cape Breton business owners who are finding innovative ways to carve out their place in our economy, fueled by their outstanding passion and unyielding creativity. In this issue, we will tell you about another community of entrepreneurs who are making significant contributions to the Cape Breton economy and leading the way in showing the world the true meaning of collaboration, partnership and its importance in growing a community.

I implore you to read on and discover the unbelievable stories about some of the economic activities currently being undertaken by each of the five First Nations communities. Stories of peace, friendship and unwavering resilience. Stories like the economic prosperity and success of Membertou First Nation and their shipbuilding contract with Canadian Maritime Engineering Inc. (CME). This initiative with CME will no doubt be seen as another great example of collaboration and growth for the community, positioning Membertou once again as an PRESIDENT & CEO’S MESSAGE

economic prosperity model for communities across Canada.

You will read about Eskasoni’s newest partnership as a storage and shipping operator. Eskasoni Cold Logistics Limited is the latest initiative that has the potential to further grow Eskasoni’s business operations across North America and beyond.

You will be inspired by We’koqma’q First Nation’s growing aquaculture operation and their expected growth projections in the coming years.

You will learn about the new court that has opened in Wagmatcook, an initiative that has been praised as a template for court systems across Canada.

And, you will discover more about the annual gathering of Sante’ Mawio’mi on the island of Mniku, within the community of Potlotek First Nation that marked its 276th anniversary this year.

These are just some of the examples of Cape Breton’s diverse reflection of today’s ever-changing business ecosystem. It is success stories like these, rich in historical importance and traditional methods, that allow Canadians to understand the important economic contributions that Indigenous communities make to a region.

As Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization, we understand the importance of our entire community working together in order to achieve our ultimate goal, to create a thriving Cape Breton/ Unama’ki. In order to transform Cape Breton into the most creative and prosperous place on earth, we need to have all organizations, both public and private, working together. With just over 132,000 people, Cape Breton needs all of us to be part of the solution.

I look forward to watching Cape Breton’s narrative expand with the diversified and growing business relationships in the coming years.

OCTOBER 2018

5

Home to more entrepreneurs per capita than any other municipality in the province.

Follow your dream.

Come home to Victoria County Check out www.victoriacounty.com for more information.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

902-468-5000 EXT. 8244 MATT.FLYNN@LINDSAYCONSTRUCTION.CA

HOWIE DOIRON REGIONAL DIRECTOR

902-468-5000 EXT. 8301 HOWIE.DOIRON@LINDSAYCONSTRUCTION.CA

7690186

FALL 2018 ELEVATE

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ELEVATE

REGIONAL BUZZ FEATURE I TRY TO SHOWCASE THE BEST INGREDIENTS OF THE SEASON FROM AROUND THE ISLAND ON ANY GIVEN MONTH. I TRY TO ALWAYS DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF FLAVOURS THAT ARE INTERESTING TO THE TASTEBUDS.” BRYAN PICKARD, OWNER AND CHEF, THE BITE HOUSE

PHOTO STEVE RANKIN

BUSINESS NEWS

OCTOBER 2018

7

Culinary cuisine meets country culture

PHOTO STEVE RANKIN

Customers enjoy an authentic dining experience with every bite

By NICOLE SIMMONS

A

left turn on the Trans-Canada Highway takes visitors to a scenic drive down a twisting dirt road in rural Baddeck, clad in a canvas of green, orange, red and browning leaves. Without a friendly prod from a sign to indicate you made it, The Bite House century-old farmhouse could easily be mistaken for just another home — and that’s how they like it.

More and more people are looking for a dining experience that exudes authenticity in the most unassuming places. Although you may have to search around Big Baddeck to find it, this old farmhouse is gaining recognition from across the globe.

Experiential agritourism has shifted away the walls of traditional restaurants with a new form of farm-to-fork dining that connects a unique and refined culinary experience with the history, people and culture of a region.

“When I moved out here, I bought a house just as a place to live,” says Bryan Picard, owner and chef at The Bite House.

“Five seasons later and I couldn’t imagine anything different.”

At The Bite House, customers can enjoy a culinary service with authentic small community ties and true Cape Breton ingredients. It has been showcased internationally, including features in The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as an appearance on the Viceland show, Dead Set on Life.

This year, the popular 12-seat restaurant

completely booked up for the year in only four days.

“We offer an experience,” says Picard.

“People come, not just to eat, but to have a good time. We’re not like any other restaurant.”

This one-of-a-kind destination enjoys a bright and spacious interior in a lovingly restored home reflecting a combination of new and old in the industrial-style kitchen hardware and furnishings located within the historical rural Cape Breton home. Maps of the area and local cultural artifacts can be found throughout the home-restaurant, which can be booked for dining in single parties or as a larger group.

“It’s a nice old property so I decided to buy it, fix it up and bring it back to its former glory,” says Picard. “The house was so big though, so I started to do a few dinners here and there, that’s kind of how it started.”

The rustic shabby-chic farmhouse venue isn’t the only thing bringing on reservations in droves. The Bite House offers a unique blend of local and seasonal flavours in one tasting menu, featuring nine courses. Each months menu differs from the previous month’s and are aligned accordingly to the ingredients each season produces.

“I try to showcase the best ingredients of the season from around the Island on any given month,” says Picard. “I try to always do something different. Different combinations of flavours that are interesting to the tastebuds.”

All of the herbs and flowers used to flavor or garnish dishes are picked directly from the farmhouse yard, while other ingredients BUSINESS NEWS

such as produce, meats and fish are sourced from local farms and fisheries.

“I love cooking, it’s a way to connect what the farmers in Nova Scotia are doing to delicious dining options — and it allows me to live out here. It’s pretty amazing.”

Undeniably, Picard’s background is in the culinary arts. Originally from a Francophone community in New Brunswick, he now lives in the upper portion of the house with his girlfriend, Marie Isabelle, while the main floor and gardens are transformed into indoor and outdoor dining spaces each May to December.

If the farmhouse wasn’t Cape Bretonesque enough, Picard’s girlfriend and both of his parents, Monique and Moe Picard, filter in and out throughout the evening.

The family kitchen and sense of community resonates at The Bite House, with Marie serving tables, Picard cooking and Moe helping maintain the property and baking delightful breads.

“I’d say my favourite part would be having creative freedom,” says Picard. “The restaurant definitely helped us moving out here and not knowing anyone. It allowed us to meet a lot of like-minded people.”

Although the business portion of running a restaurant was new to Picard, he says it’s been a great learning experience — and there’s nowhere he’d rather do it than Cape Breton Island.

“I love the Maritimes. I looked at a few spots in New Brunswick and a few different places in Nova Scotia, but Cape Breton was the nicest. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, it’s hard to beat.”

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Regional Buzz dance floors with soulful east coast music for all ages. His newest album, produced by fellow Nova Scotian, Joel Plaskett, is described by Rankin as a collection of stories and bittersweet ballads, complete with life’s highs and lows, in a refreshing representation of Maritime culture. In celebration of his return, Rankin has announced a show at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on November 17, 2018 at 8 p.m. in what will likely be a very welcome homecoming.

Sydney waves more rainbow flags this year than ever before at Pride 2018

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

“More than landscape and lobster”: National Geographic admires Cape Breton Island culture “Even more than the lovely landscapes and the lobster, what stood out were the people. The pride they have in their homeland and their culture, the sense of fun and the kindness — we got such a friendly reception everywhere we went.” These are the words of Alastair Humphreys, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, which readers will find in the recently issued National Geographic article. The article explores all areas of the island from the Cabot Trail to the salmon-filled Margaree River and highlights accomodations, including the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands, Glenora Inn & Distillery, Broad Cove Campground and River Nest Wilderness Cabins, as well as restaurants including the Dancing Goat Café & Bakery, Panorama in Inverness and Baddeck Lobster Suppers.

Empowering Indigenous post-secondary education In a joint effort with many postsecondary institutions to welcome more First Nation cultures into academia, Cape Breton University (CBU) hosted the Indigenous Education in Canada Summit this past August. Ovide Mercredi, a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, gave the keynote address at the Indigenizing Education forum as part of the summit. The summit’s main focus was to begin

a dialogue on integrating indigenization into CBU’s strategic plan. The event engaged more than 200 people with topics ranging from separate Indigenous facilities, transforming the university’s governance and administration and reconciliation. As a supporter for Indigenous education, CBU is well on its way to being one of the most advanced universities in Canada in terms of services, integrating Indigenous knowledge and teachings into courses and creating a better sense of belonging and recognition for First Nations students.

Jimmy Rankin puts the party back in the Cape Breton’s kitchen One of Canada’s most renowned musicians recently said goodbye to his Nashville home of the last seven years and moved back to Cape Breton Island to celebrate the release of his newest album, Moving East. Jimmy Rankin, songwriter of award-winning hit songs like Feel the Same Way Too, Fare The Well Love, Cool Car, Mull River Shuffle and so many more, is returning to the island once again to fill the

BUSINESS NEWS

This August, the city of Sydney paraded the downtown streets for this year’s pride week as hundreds gathered for the celebrations. The 17th annual pride parade, hosted by Pride Cape Breton Society, boasted a registered 62 parade entries this year — a 313 per cent increase from the 2017 parade. Society officials say as the celebration grows, more and more LGBTQ2 community members and their loved ones feel comfortable participating in activities and celebrating who they are.

Partnership between DAL and CBU will allow Cape Breton nurses to study at home Following an undergraduate nursing program at CBU, Cape Breton students once had to relocate to Halifax to continue either studies in preparation for their nurse practitioner license. With a partnership between Dalhousie University and Cape Breton University, students can stay on island to get their license. The program will allow more nursing staff to remain in the rural areas of the island, which have the largest requirement for medical staff. The program will be administered by a CBU faculty member who will deliver course work and clinical labs.

OCTOBER 2018

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PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

U.S. company opens first Canadian location in North Sydney Ten years ago, Sydney Mines native Brian Burton and his wife and business partner, Sarah Fraser, first opened Instinct Dog Behaviour and Training in New York City. Since then, the business has grown to employ 25 people in a 6,000-square-foot facility, taking in dogs from all over the United States for training and behavioural assistance. In September, Instinctive Dog Behaviour and Training opened its first Canadian office in North Sydney. The business will offer a range of behavioural supports for dog owners, including lessons and one week and four week boarding training camps. The company has been approved for franchising and expects two more facilities to open this year in the United States.

Commending Cape Breton festivals and events with cost-sharing incentives In partnership with Cape Breton Island’s five municipal bodies, Destination Cape Breton has been given $165,000 from the federal government to support Cape Breton nonprofits that host festivals and events in the 2018-19 fiscal year. Eligible non-profits can now access cost-sharing assistance through Destination Cape Breton based on their ability to generate new visitation to the island.

Cabot Links opens tennis courts, spa, culinary services This August, Cabot Links announced the opening of the new Cabot tennis courts at Cabot Cliffs at Broad Cove. As part of a $2-million federal loan from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Cabot Links committed to the addition of two clay tennis courts, as well as the addition of spa facilities and high-end culinary services. The agency said the loan will help the resort to broaden its appeal for families, non-golfers and corporate groups.

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

Protocase wins national award The Cape Breton sector of arts and culture is being celebrated at a national level with this September’s announcement of the 2018 recipient of the Corporate Champion of the Arts award. Cape Breton’s Protocase was the 2018 recipient for their work giving back to the local arts community. The custom sheet metal and enclosure manufacturer makes charitable donations based on profits to organizations, including the Celtic Colours International Festival, the Highland Arts Theatre, Cape Breton University’s Boardmore Theatre and Lumiére Art at Night Festival. The honour is being awarded to Protocase by Business for the Arts, a charitable organization that celebrates business leadership in the arts. Previous winners include Air Canada, Bank of Montreal, Great West Life and Sunlife Financial. The award will be celebrated by more than 300 business and arts community leaders from across the country at the Business for the Arts gala in Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on November 22, 2018.

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ELEVATE

Cape Breton's first tattoo expo draws big numbers Tattoo artists from across North America gathered this August 2018 in North Sydney for Cape Breton’s first ever tattoo expo.

The expo, complete with artists, enthusiasts, airbrushing, face and body painting, was a two-day event held at the Emera Centre Northside. The inaugural event drew more than 1,000 people in attendance. Moncton body suspension crew, Transcending Ground Suspension Crew, provided entertainment during the expo by hanging from the ceiling using hooks in their skin.

CBRM prepares to offer downtown business incentives A monthly Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) meeting held this July approved several motions to introduce a tax incentive for new and expanding downtown businesses. The proposed tax incentive will encourage more businesses to set up shop in the central cores of Sydney, Whitney Pier, Sydney Mines, North Sydney, Glace Bay, Dominion, New Waterford and Louisbourg. The tax break aims to address challenges with filling the empty office space, store fronts and buildings in the CBRM. In recent years, new development has been discouraged due to increased assessment values and property taxes. The tax incentive will benefit, not only the downtown areas, but will drive the economic health, vibrancy and dynamic of the entire CBRM. After several next steps in evaluating the implementation of the tax incentive strategy, the CBRM may also consider expanding the

PHOTO STEVE RANKIN

Splash, swim & surf: Inclusion and accessibility for all at Inverness Beach This summer the Inverness community celebrated new beach and boardwalk improvements that have made Inverness Beach the most accessible ocean frontage in Atlantic Canada. The beach, now equipped with a wide ramp, mobi-mats made from recycled plastic bottles, beach-friendly wheelchairs with oversized tires for control on sand and two floating chairs, has proudly welcomed everyone to enjoy the water this summer season. All equipment is free to use for people with mobility limitations. Other additions to the beach included a new dropoff zone in the parking lot, new lifeguard platform, extra railings and fencing and accessibility improvements to the canteen, changing rooms, washrooms and showers.

program to the three business parks of Northside, Sydport and Harbourside.

Cape Breton female pilot honoured on Canadian stamp Mary Cameron-Kelly overcame social pressures and the hurdles of a male-dominated profession to become Canada’s first female pilot of the CP-140 Aurora, a frontline surveillance and tactical support aircraft.

This July, the Ninety Nines, an

international group of women aviators founded in 1929, recently recognized North Sydney’s Captain CameronKelly as a pioneer for women in aviation. Captain CameronKelly was the first female pilot

of the long-range patrol aircraft and boasts an impressive 7,000 flying hours, including a nonstop flight from Hawaii to Greenwood, Nova Scotia.

Captain Cameron-Kelly has been training other pilots since 1994. Along with the international recognition, Captain Cameron-Kelly will be the 11th Canadian woman pilot to be featured on a Canadian postage stamp available for purchase on the Canadian NinetyNines website.

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Global Entrepreneurship Week

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BUSINESS NEWS

OCTOBER 2018

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PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

Great ideas happen here: Mashup Lab expands to Cape Breton This September, budding entrepreneurs had a chance to enroll in a free six-week program offering group mentorship, one-on-one entrepreneurial coaching and a start-up kit valued at more than $5,000. As part of an agreement between the Cape Breton Partnership and Mashup Lab, eight groups of 10 entrepreneurs had the opportunity to participate in Mashup’s Dream Business Program. The program will assist entrepreneurs to grow business ideas into scalable and community businesses, create lasting networks and build a community of rural entrepreneurs that can support each other. The first group of ten entrepreneurs just participated in the program with the additional seven groups taking part in the program throughout the next two years. In addition to the Dream Business Program, Mashup Lab is expanding their programming to enroll budding entrepreneurs in a Business Model Launcher and one-on-one sessions.

SePtember 2015

Summer heat wave brings a rise in dog-friendly businesses According to a survey by the American Automobile Association, more than 80 per cent of dog owners drive with their pets in the car. On a hot summer day, like many days in Nova Scotia this summer, the temperature in a parked car can increase by ten degrees Celsius in only minutes — this means a car can go from 25 degrees to nearly 35 during a fiveminute trip into a store. That is why River Ryan’s Hannah McIIveen is encouraging Cape Breton businesses to open their doors to pets so they don’t have to stay in hot cars while their owners shop. As of July 2018, McIIveen had 120 businesses listed within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) with hopes for that list to grow into the next summer season. For McIIveen’s list of dog-friendly businesses, visit the Open Arms website or Facebook page.

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Traditional Dress redesigned for fashion runways A group of young designers aged 10 to 18 in Potlotek First Nation learned to redesign traditional Mi’kmaq regalia this June. A workshop with Cree First Nation designer, Angel Aubichon, helped students to learn how to incorporate different elements and technology into sewing clothing. The clothing pieces are intended to honour Indigenous women in fashion, including commemorative regalia and traditional dress, highlighting fringe. Aubichon showed students how to illuminate clothing pieces on the runway with LED lights to demonstrate a persons light, spirit and Mother Earth.

The workshop included students from Potlotek, We’koqma’q and Eskasoni.

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

Good Course Culture: The Lakes Golf Club adds Mi’kmaq art to fairway The Lakes Golf Club in Ben Eoin has added culture to the course with the help of Eskasoni Cultural Journeys. In accordance with similar international golf courses as a tribute to the rightful lands, holes six and 13 at The Lakes have added two hand-carved wooden eagle feathers. The carvings, which are strategically placed to overlook the Bras d’Or Lake toward Eskasoni First Nation, were carved by award-winning Cheticamp folk artist, William Roach. The spruce wood carvings stand nearly four feet tall and sit on painted bases.

M3D DesignWorks wins Nova Scotia home design competition

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Get the full Cape Breton experience at the Norsemen Bar and Grill At the Norsemen Bar and Grill, homemade food, drinks and music offered a Cape Breton focus this summer - from traditional dishes to the local ingredients found in each meal. The fry recipe, made fresh, is an old fashioned chip wagon style for a local favourite. Intimate and interactive local music on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as impromptu musical performances by guests with one of the restaurant-owned guitars, fill the air of the all-ages restaurant complete with a patio. The Norsemen restaurant is now closed for the winter season. The Norsemen will reopen at a new Sydney location to continue to offer the Cape Breton food experience in 2019.

The Nova Scotia Home and Building Designers Association held it’s 11th annual Design Competition this year to find the best designed homes and small buildings in the province.

The competition objective is to find the best custom designed homes and small buildings and showcase some of the most unique and skilled homebuilders in Nova Scotia. Mabou-based M3D DesignWorks Inc. was the winner of three categories in this year's competition. The company brought home bragging rights for the ‘Non-residential Project’ award for the Red Shoe Pub renovation; the ‘Home Addition/Renovation’ award for a residence in Baxter’s Cove; and the ‘Design not Built’ award for Ferguson Block in Inverness.

M3D DesignWorks also scored first runner up in the ‘New Home Design’ category for a cottage in Hillsborough.

BUSINESS NEWS

Bus it, bike it, walk it: CBRM gets active transportation upgrades The province of Nova Scotia, through the sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2, has invested more than $36,000 to improve and create additional bike lanes, purchase bike racks for buses and to collect data for the Grand Lake Road multiuse path. The trail, which will be studied by Velo Cape Breton, connects Cape Breton University and the Nova Scotia Community College Marconi Campus to the Mayflower Mall. The project will build on community linkages and allow visitors and residents more transportation possibilities.

Victoria County author releases new book Bill Conall of Murray Mountain is an award-winning storyteller.

With his most recent book launch in July for Some Days Run Long (Boularderie Island Press, 2018), Conall shares a collection of short stories and poems which portray an array of human life and emotions. From humourous tales about the things teenage boys will do for love and a would-be bear poacher who ends up with the wrong cargo, to tales reflecting Gaelic history, life and death and coping with the emotions long Cape Breton winters might bring. Conall dares readers to try to put this book down before they finish.

OCTOBER 2018

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PHOTO STEVE WADDEN PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

New Business Spotlight: Fired Creations

Cape Breton Island: Nova Scotia’s ‘masterpiece’ Cape Breton Island was voted the No. 1 island destination to visit in Canada by Travel and Leisure Magazine. The magazine, which holds a readership of more than 15 million people, is a monthly travel publication consumed primarily in print. The ranking was based on the pure authenticity of attractions, including scenic hiking trails, the Cabot Trail, the Highlands National Park, rugged coastline and combination of Celtic, Acadian and First Nations histories and cultures. Coming in second on the tip was Vancouver Island.

Snowbird jets soar at Airshow Cape Breton More than 2,000 spectators gathered at the Port Hawkesbury Airport in May to watch the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds at the Airshow Cape Breton. The airport, acquired by Celtic Air Services in 2017, had recently undergone several improvements to better cater to high-end clientele seeking a unique golfing experience or tour through the Cape Breton Highlands. The world-class Snowbirds excited the community while other organizations showed interest in the upgraded airport facilities.

Along with the aerial acrobatics provided by the Snowbirds, the

airshow included private aircrafts, a Nova Scotia Natural Resources helicopter and military vehicles from the Canadian reserves.

Four early-stage companies win Spark Cape Breton funding The Innovacorp Spark Innovation Competition announced its four Cape Breton winners in July.

Sydney couple Shea Munro and Krysta MacIntosh won $50,000 seed funding for their mobile app, TrAIner, a mobile application that can instruct proper exercising form and techniques and pinpoint necessary corrections via self-recorded video of the user. North Sydney’s Dave

September 4, 2018 marked a day Alisha Barron will remember for a very long time — the date she opened Fired Creations in Sydney. With three employees, Barron’s Fired Creations is a pottery painting café that offers walk-in service as well as group and private sessions. The café is the first of its kind in Cape Breton, with the closest similar pottery café in Truro and offers more than 180 items to paint. The café has a selection of hundreds of paint colours, silkscreens, examples and more. Painting takes about 90 minutes to two hours and costs $25 to $45 on average. The store is located at 582 George Street.

Johnson also earned $50,000 for his app to assist users to be aware of their mental health through analyzing their patterns of activity such as sleep schedules, device activity and social interactions via text message, then notify the user if their patterns change to indicate a decreased state of mental health.

A third $50,000 prize went to Matthew Gillis of River Ryan to develop VMOpro, an exercise monitoring tool for knee rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The fourth prize of $25,000 went to Patsy Leadbeater of Sydney for her company, Commlet, a mobile app that works with GPS bracelets to assist schools and education professionals to quickly

identify the location of children on field trips and off-site outings.

Mabou’s Sara Rankin wins gold at ICE Awards Sara Rankin Creative Co., which cleverly crafts logos and websites, was recently honoured at the 2018 ICE awards in Halifax with a Gold Award for her logo design for the Hummingbird House Vacation Rental. The awards recognize creative excellence in Atlantic Canada for advertising, design, digital and creative expression. Rankin’s work can be seen in a number of industries, including music, restaurants, accommodations, spas and seafood.

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BUSINESS NEWS

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New members CAPE BRETON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOLOCAL MARKETING Full service marketing agency stubbornly focused on finding your next customer.

You're really good at what you do. We're really good at this.

101 Upper MacLean Street, Suite 111 Glace Bay, N.S. 902-322-2467 CASINO NOVA SCOTIA SYDNEY Come in to Casino Nova Scotia Sydney and enjoy a great buffet, play our slots or tables, or watch an event on our giant screen. Join our Player's Club and get even more exciting rewards!

525 George Street Sydney, N.S. 902-563-7783 GEEBO DEVICE REPAIR Geebo Device Repair Inc. is a local cellphone, phone, tablet, computer, laptop and mobile device repair company with locations in Halifax, Dartmouth and Cape Breton.

306 Charlotte Street Sydney, N.S. 902-293-4446 MARITIME TRAVEL – CHARLOTTE STREET Through knowledgeable and caring people, Maritime Travel take pride in providing superior service and value to customers.

188 Charlotte Street Sydney, N.S. 902-539-4800

INVESTORS GROUP – JARYD FORGERON Better your future with an Investors Group financial advisor. Offering the following services financial planning, tax planning, retirement planning, investment planning, estate planning and pension plan analysis.

256 Prince Street Sydney, N.S. 902-220-8686 PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT A not-for-profit organization that provides high-quality training programs and supported employment opportunities to assist individuals living with mental illness find and maintain employment.

196 Prince Street Sydney, N.S. 902-539-6262 HIGHLAND ARTS THEATRE ASSOCIATION

STRAIT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE PHOTO BOOTH LADY The Photo Booth Lady rents out photo booths for any occasion and do general graphic design and photo finishing.

179 Murphy's Hill Road Mabou, N.S. 902-623-1576 MACLEOD EXCAVATING Excavating, trucking and road building contractor.

66 Eastside Road Grand River, N.S. 902-587-2264 BACK ON THE RACK CONSIGNMENT Consignment boutique with gently used clothing and accessories, featuring metal art by Metal Petals.

Highland Arts Theatre, or ''The HAT'' as it's affectionately called, is the name of a critically acclaimed performance venue in downtown Sydney for theatre, music and dance.

9941 Grenville Street St Peters, N.S. 902-824-3286

40 Bentinck Street Sydney, N.S. 902-565-5970

Bridging the gap between business and the IT services. Tecademy uses skills and knowledge transfer.

BEARDED BROTHER'S MAINTENANCE & REPAIR Lawn and landscape maintenance, window washing, general repairs, small engine service, sheds, decks and fences.

7949 Kempt Head Road Kempt Head, N.S. 902-979-2533 PORTSIDE BEER GARDEN Portside Beer Garden opened the first of July 2018 and is a seasonal operation geared towards Cape Bretoners and tourists alike.

144 Esplanade Sydney, N.S. 902-304-9595

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TECADEMY

West Bay, N.S. 902-951-0530 OUT & ABOUT RESPITE Out & About Respite is offering the area’s first Adult Day Program. Offering both full & half day stays, it is a flexible & affordable respite service that not only allows caregivers more freedom in their personal time, but allows seniors the opportunity to get out and about with activities such as, crafts, cards, movies, cooking and more.

118 Grand Gully Road River Bourgeois, N.S. 902-302-3498

OCTOBER 2018

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ATLANTIC AUTOMATION LTD.

HORIZON MARITIME

GUILDFORDS

Atlantic Automation is an instrumentation, hydraulic and process maintenance company. They design and develop control systems as well as offer calibration, testing and maintenance of existing automated systems in industrial and residential settings.

Horizon Maritime is a locally owned and operated, proudly Canadian marine company whose management team has been in the marine business since the 1980s. With locations in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, they are positioned to serve both the unique challenges of Canadian waters and those around the globe. They provide collaborative, innovative and flexible marine solutions.

Guildfords is celebrating its 112th year in business. Founded in Halifax in 1906, Guildfords is the oldest insulation contractor in North America and the leading specialty contractor in the Atlantic Region. The Group’s offering includes mechanical insulation, asbestos and lead abatement, fireproofing and spray applied polyurethane foam, marine services including engine and vessel repair, oil and gas heating and plumbing services as well as building close-in and cladding application.

197 Little Harbour Road, Lower L'Ardoise, N.S. 902-587-2218 NOVA SCOTIA WORKS Nova Scotia Works employment services centres help Nova Scotians understand, prepare for and fill the needs of the province’s job market. Nova Scotia Works also helps businesses recruit, manage and develop the talent they need to be more productive here at home and around the world.

503 Chebucto Street Baddeck, N.S. 902-295-1649 KELTIC CRUISERS Seasonal luxury service that ensures clients have the best time travelling throughout Cape Breton. Relax while in a comfortable and convenient eightpassenger Mercedes Sprinter when you take your next trip to a Cape Breton destination.

8063 Highway 105, Blues Mills River Denys, N.S. 902-302-4225

101 Research Drive Darmouth, N.S. 902-468-2341 DANCE DEBUT INC. Dance Debut has been serving dancers, families and health enthusiasts for more than 30 years. With humble beginnings in Cochrane, Alberta, Michelle now offers workshops, retreats, courses, classes and more across the country. An author, lyricist and program developer, the online shop boasts many different products for dance, healing, Tai Chi, tea, Children's stories and music, videos and more.

4614 Route 252 Mabou, N.S. 902-945-2967 INVERNESS COUNTY CENTRE FOR THE ARTS The Inverness County Centre for the Arts is a regional hub for the arts on the west coast of Cape Breton Island. This art centre houses a gallery, a performance space, a light-filled studio and gift shop.

Exhibitions, concerts, workshops and other arts-related events at the centre celebrate the creative spirit of the artists of Inverness County as well as the work of artists from across Canada and the United States.

16080 Highway 19 Inverness, N.S. 902-258-2533

12575 Highway 4 Havre Boucher, N.S. 902-234-3202

If you are interested in learning more about the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce or the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact their respective offices: CAPE BRETON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Kathleen Yurchesyn, Chief Executive Officer 275 Charlotte Street Sydney, N.S. B1P 1C6 902-564-6453 info@cbregionalchamber.ca www.cbregionalchamber.ca STRAIT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Amanda Mombourquette, Executive Director 609 Church Street, Suite 101 Port Hawkesbury, N.S. B9A 2X4 902-625-1588 info@straitareachamber.ca www.straitareachamber.ca

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Harbourside Commercial Park

Port Mersey Commercial Park

Pictou Wharf

- Industrial power and water - Rail access - Connector road leading to 100 series highway - 1200’wharf adjacent to park - 300 acres of land

- Home of Innovacorp Centre of Excellence near Liverpool, N.S. - 625’wharf / 88 acres of land - Industrial power and water - Easy access to Trans-Canada Highway - 10 businesses onsite

- Recently upgraded commercial property - 300’wharf - Dredged depth of 25’ - 4 acres of laydown area - Upgraded power / water 7687066

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A SHARED VISION FOR CAPE BRETON • UNAMA’KI First Nations communities unite assets for a stronger Cape Breton

By NICOLE SIMMONS

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

OCTOBER 2018

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Historically, the economic development of Indigenous communities has been stifled by the complication and challenges of maintaining sovereignty, respecting cultural values and conserving natural resources which creates barriers that limit access to traditional sources of capital.

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new age of economic reconciliation is about Indigenous communities managing their wealth by leveraging their assets — people, innovation, land — to foster a stronger business community that honours traditional methods and works alongside non-Indigenous business.

Stronger networks. Shared services. Mutual respect. These are the principals that guide Cape Breton’s business ecosystem to build a world-class economy that embraces all municipalities and their culturally diverse partners to create a shared vision for Cape Breton’s future.

Indigenous business growth is a focal point for strengthening the entirety of the region, promoting progressive and prosperous relationships and creating a new standard of living based on shared success. By building relationships between the

Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses of Cape Breton, the region can foster an equitable and sustainable economy.

Together, the five First Nations communities of Unama’ki represent more than six per cent of Cape Breton’s total population, the highest proportion of First Nations residents in Nova Scotia. Membertou alone is the third largest employer in the CBRM with 672 employees whose total salaries exceed $15 million each year. For a province with a comparatively small provincial population, about two per cent of all Indigenous Canadians call Nova Scotia their home and that population is growing. The First Nations communities in Nova Scotia represent the only growing segment of the population with 43 per cent of the population under the age of 25.

Increased business supports for young Indigenous entrepreneurs in Cape Breton would equate to monumental regional growth. Across the island and the country, there are programs that facilitate the growth of Indigenous business, build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous business and ensure life-long learning for Indigenous entrepreneurs, along with the region’s many business leaders. These efforts recognize the central role that Indigenous business and communities hold in the future of Cape Breton Island.

Here are the projects currently being undertaken by the communities of Eskasoni, Membertou, We’koqma’q, Wagmatcook and Potlotek that work to further impact the Island’s growing economy.

PROFILE

ESKASONI COLD LOGISTICS LTD.

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ocal seafood on Cape Breton Island has added another staple in the everdominating industry with new storage and shipping operator, Eskasoni Cold Logistics Limited.

Since September 2017, Eskasoni First Nation, along with brothers Allan and Jim Gillis of Live Ship Logistics, have been operating a multi-facet service center in the former Co-op frozen distribution center in Sydney River.

The 65,000-square-foot cold storage facility has the capacity to store up to seven-million pounds of frozen product as well as 250 thousand pounds of dry storage for live product such as lobster. In addition to storage, the facility acts as a shipping and logistics manager for Atlantic seafood product.

“The ability to offer storage for frozen and live products, along with the capability to truck the product for our customers creates a kind of one-stop shopping experience for our clients,” says Steve Parsons, General Manager, Eskasoni Corporate Services.

Over the next month, the facility hopes to offer live shipping of fish products starting with lobster.

“Eskasoni Cold Logistics ensures we service the fishing industry from large companies to local fisherman,” says Parsons. “Our marketing strategy includes Cape Breton fishermen who need space to store their frozen bait, as well as international scale companies from the Atlantic Provinces who require the capacity to store their products

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

Steve Parsons, left, General Manager of Eskasoni Corporate Division and Irving Paul, forklift operator, stand for a photo inside the freezer at Eskasoni Cold Logistic Ltd. on Keltic Drive in Sydney.

for world markets, such as China.”

Eskasoni Cold Logisitics currently employs five full-time staff with up to five additional positions being created once the facility opens for live storage. The facility owns and operates two tractor trailers to haul product throughout Canada and the United States.

At the peak of its first year in operation, the facility stored nearly three-million pounds of frozen product for four major Atlantic seafood companies.

As a traditional industry, the Mi’kmaq developed many fishing techniques that are still commonly used today. Eskasoni First Nation holds several commercial fishing licences and rights across the province.

Today, the community can catch and deliver fish products to suppliers, as well as freeze and store it as needed.

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Projections for their second year in operation expect an increase of an additional two-million pounds of stored product.

“When we established the Eskasoni Corporate Division in 2013, it was with the intention of Eskasoni First Nation to be truly open for business,” says Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni First Nation. “This joint venture in a traditional industry is a testimony to that.”

The Sydney River-based facility is able to offer more cost effective solutions in closer proximity to businesses in the ever growing seafood industry on the Island.

With the potential addition of a secondberth at The Port of Sydney, Eskasoni Cold Logistics Ltd. will be sufficiently positioned as a prime servicer for the Island’s most dominant industry.

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PROFILE

MEMBERTOU SHIPBUILDING CONTRACT WITH CME

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s one of Canada’s most prominent and successfully diversified economies, Membertou First Nation is growing at a rate that intrigues social and economic experts from across the globe.

Membertou as a corporate entity has seen an exponential increase in successful growth and development with major business ventures and expansion into new and traditional industries. Since 1995, the community has increased its operating budget by 270 per cent through revenue sources such as the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre and the entertainment and gaming centre.

It employs more than 600 people in peak seasons, has increased its population during a provincial decline and offers education and career-related training for residents.

With an increase of more than a 1,300 per cent in community employment, it is no wonder the world looks to the community of Membertou as a model for economic prosperity and with their newest initiative, a boat building and manufacturing facility on the Sydney Harbour, Membertou will see a spike in urban growth once again.

As a result of a need – a backlog of nearly three years for the manufacturing of new vessels – Membertou partnered with

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Canadian Maritime Engineering Inc. (CME) to construct several types of boats including fishing vessels and commercial boats, using local fibreglass hulls.

“After seeking a new vessel ourselves, we understood the gap in service that existed; a three-year waitlist,” said Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation. “We’re turning our challenge into a new opportunity.”

Located adjacent to the Canadian Coast Guard College with access to the Sydney Port Access Road, the $1.5-million facility will have the capacity to build more than 10 boats per year and intends to employ 10 fulltime and several part-time staff.

Membertou currently has crews with fishing licences including lobster, crab and shrimp. With an increase in lobster catches as well as in the overall value of landings in the fishing industry around the province, fishers have the additional capital to upgrade

vessels and improve their efficiency, safety and comfort.

The partnership between Membertou and CME will ensure the venture has the skills, knowledge, training and labour force to produce quality marine vessels under 45 feet in length. Building on its previous initiatives to create employment opportunities in the community, Membertou will advance its it’s training programs and incentives for residents to include programs into the shipbuilding industry.

“Working together with our partners at CME, we are committed to quality and creating new opportunities for both the community of Membertou and the fishing industry in Atlantic Canada,” said Chief Terry Paul.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) contributed a $750,000 repayable investment towards the project that hopes to be in operation this fall.

PROFILE

POTLOTEK CHAPEL ISLAND MISSION Although it may only contain one convenience store and nearly 100 small cabins, Mniku is not just any island.

Located within the community of Potlotek First Nation and measuring only two kilometers in length and one kilometer wide, Mniku, or Chapel Island, is actually the capital of Mi’kma’ki, the territory of the Mi’kmaq people which spans from the Atlantic provinces to Quebec.

The historical significance of Mniku began in 1742, when a large group of Mi’kmaq people travelled to Chapel Island to hear Father Maillard give the first Christian mass on the island while standing on a rock. The first chapel was built on the island 12 years later in 1754. Since then, the island has been

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

a sacred site and home of Sante’ Mawio’mi, or St. Anne’s Mission, an extremely significant annual pilgrimage and gathering for the Mi’kmaq.

This year marked the 276th year for the annual gathering of Sante’ Mawio’mi and brought an astonishing 3,000 patrons to the tiny island. The celebration is considered COVER STORY

the longest continuous mission in Canada and has been a gathering place of the Mi’kmaq since before European contact and Christianity, dating back centuries.

Sante’ Mawio’mi, which takes place over two days at the end of July, is organized by Potlotek Band Council with about 30 volunteers and paid staff and includes

OCTOBER 2018

a feast, as well as a procession, smudging ceremony, singing and the Prayer to St. Anne chapel service held outdoors. Great grandmothers in wheelchairs, mothers pushing strollers, little girls wearing communion dresses, priests in heavy robes, elders and chiefs all flock to the island in thousands by boat from the Bras d’Or Lake for the event.

Today, hundreds of people from as far as Florida, New York, Saskatoon and British Columbia, each originating from Mi’kmaq territories, return to the island to camp on both sides of the channel between Potlotek First Nation and Mniku for the weekend festivities.

“As you know our sacred island holds a lot of history and it continues to do the same as it did 276 years ago,” says Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek First Nation. “The Island and our yearly gatherings keep the Mi’kmaw together as a whole in community, spirit and in prayer.”

For many, Sante’ Mawio’mi is a resurgence of culture, a revitalization of visions and a celebration of being Mi’kmaw. It is about the return each year to walk the paths of Mniku; feel the air, walk the earth and sense the visions of ancestors who have walked

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there before. As it is believed many ancestors have been buried on Mniku, the island holds a very powerful place for honouring and respecting the spirituality of the Mi’kmaq. It is a holy ground that was built on community strength, sharing, cooperation, collective thought, wisdom sharing, storytelling and forgiveness.

Not only is the non-indigenous proportion of attendees growing each year, the Potlotek Band Council says it is their intention, as a celebration of Mi’kmaq history, to encourage and welcome people from all backgrounds and cultures to Sante’ Mawio’mi over the upcoming years and are currently working towards developing an RV park for the upcoming 2020 gathering.

Tourism contributes significantly to the community directly, as well as the overall economy of the region. In the small community of 745 people, visitors offer Potlotek First Nation the opportunity to showcase their oyster industry and eel grass crafts and encourage people to return at other times of the year.

As nearby St. Peter’s offers only a few accommodation options, which require visitors to leave the community, the addition of

the RV park on Mniku will allow visitors and event goers the opportunity to stay within the community, keeping their economic contributions in the area.

As the island has begun to require some upkeep, battling issues with erosion which has disturbed the scared burial grounds and lands, Potlotek First Nation is working to restore and preserve the grounds to their former glory.

“Issues with erosion have had us working on upgrades and keeping our sacred gathering place safe,” says Chief Marshall.

As the strength, presence and population of the Mi’kmaq in Canada continue to grow, Sante’ Mawio’mi will continue to grow as well, with the Potlotek Band Council looking to this mission for growth in the tourism sector for the area.

“Over the years we have had more and more tourists attend our annual Sante’ Mawio’mi and wish to share in the history and religion and to learn more about Mi’kmaw culture,” says Chief Marshall. “In the future, Unama’ki would like to share history with everyone and know that all are welcome to celebrate with us during our annual Sante’ Mawio’mi in July 2019.”

PROFILE

WAGMATCOOK A NEW, SACRED JUSTICE JOURNEY

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quality means everyone gets the same treatment to promote fairness, no matter their situation. Unfortunately, where equality in systematic justice encourages the same steps and processes for all, there remains a need for equity and understanding extenuating circumstances. Now with the establishment of the on-reserve Wagmatcook First Nation Indigenous Courthouse, that need is addressed for the people of Wagmatcook and We’koqma’q.

Derived from a recommendation by the Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall Junior prosecution — a trial where a man served 11 years for a murder he did not commit — the new Indigenous court system works to confront systematic obstacles as well as individual and cultural differences that may influence an offender’s behavior.

Following a number of provincial court closures in the spring of 2015, residents of Wagmatcook First Nation were required to attend court in Sydney. In anticipation of transportation and proximity issues, Chief Bernard sought out Judge Laurie Halfpenny MacQuarrie to request that Wagmatcook residents attend her court in Port Hawkesbury instead. Unfortunately, there was still an influx and consistent high volume of nonappearances resulting in the issuance of arrest warrants.

PHOTO STEVE RANKIN

Judge Laurie Halfpenny MacQuarrie in her circular design courtroom at the Wagmatcook First Nation Indigenous Courthouse.

In response to the obvious need for transportation to court, Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie requested council with the Chiefs, which soon lead to the establishment of the Wagmatcook courthouse.

“I was very cognizant of the fact of the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in Canadian jails and prisons,” says Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie. “Once the government gave its commitment to provide equipment, furniture and design assistance, the Municipality of Victoria County asked that their residents attend there as well and I was more than happy to allow that.”

The court hosted its official grand opening on National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2018.

Located on the first floor of the COVER STORY

Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre, the court now offers services to residents of Victoria County as well as the Mi’kmaq communities of Wagmatcook and We’koqma’q.

“This court was a vision by the Chiefs and Councils of Wagmatcook and We’koma’q,” says Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie. “They wanted their community members to have access to justice locally and I am privileged to be the presiding Judge in Wagmatcook.”

Under Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie, the court offers culturally relevant services to Indigenous communities which may include sentencing circles and participation in cultural programs. The circular design is culturally representative of healing circles and reflects the court’s unique approach to justice.

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PROFILE

WAGMATCOOK CONTINUED…

“Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie was a major driving force in getting the courthouse for our communities,” says Chief Rod Googoo of We’koqma’q First Nation. “Having a courthouse in a First Nation community gives our people a place where they do not feel intimidated; and the circular design encourages that feeling of comfort. It is a safe place and friendly place.”

Wellness, Gladue and Provincial courts are

HAVING A COURTHOUSE IN A FIRST NATION COMMUNITY GIVES OUR PEOPLE A PLACE WHERE THEY DO NOT FEEL INTIMIDATED; AND THE CIRCULAR DESIGN ENCOURAGES THAT FEELING OF COMFORT. IT IS A SAFE PLACE AND FRIENDLY PLACE."

CHEIF ROD GOOGOO, WE’KOQMA’Q FIRST NATION

the first ever in combination in Canada and mark an important historical step towards meaningful reconciliation through improved applications of the traditions, culture and practices of the Mi’kmaq in the justice system.

This one-size-does-not-fit-all approach has been praised as a template for court systems across Canada to ensure Indigenous restorative justice traditions and customs be incorporated into every stage of the court process.

“This court, with all its constituent parts and partners, has evolved because of the trust the Elders and community have placed in me and our court team,” says Judge Halfpenny MacQuarrie. It is a place where I hope those who use it feel respected, feel free to participate in their own language and know it was designed with the Mi’kmaw culture at its core.”

PROFILE

WE’KOQMA’Q EXPANDS REACH INTO AQUACULTURE MARKETS

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ince time immemorial, the Mi’kmaq have had an intricate, respectful and spiritual tie to the land. Although formed by a physical dependence, their cultural connection to the land has never been historically one of ownership, but one of protective stewardship. Much of the traditional wisdom, languages, cultural practices and oral traditions of First Nations peoples are all formed based on this connection, alongside traditional methods, like fishing.

The importance of maintaining traditional methods for First Nations peoples, is the importance of maintaining all that the Mi’kmaq are.

Growth in the traditional fishing sector on Cape Breton • Unama’ki is vital and evident by the expansion of the We’koqma’q First Nation aquaculture fishery.

Generating more than $2 million in revenues over the past year, the expansion of the fishery will allow the We’koqma’q band to maximize profits and increase employment opportunities while moving towards a fully integrated business model.

The community-based aquaculture initiative will assist We’koqma’q to produce steelhead trout to be sold on the market as larger fillets.

After the recent acquisition of Big Falls Fish Growers Ltd. in Wolfville, We’koqma’q now owns and operates the hatchery for fingerlings to fill its fish farm. The community has also upgraded their grow out site and processing plant, including the purchase of a new work barge, upgraded docks and a fish counter which will enable the band to sustain more than one million fingerlings

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

annually to be grown for market.

Since the purchase of its fishing leases in 2015 with only six employees, the We’koqma’q fishery has made significant strides in the industry over the last few years. In 2017, the band employed approximately 40 residents with 27 cages for market fish at the farm.

In 2019, the band expects to employ about 70 residents with 92 cages and has a projected sales volume of nearly $15 million — a 650 per cent revenue increase as a result of the expansion.

“Fishing has always been a very important part of our peoples’ past and an extremely important part of our future,” says Chief Rod Googoo of We’koqma’q First Nation. “This traditional method has been a part of our culture for centuries and is creating financial stability and employment for our communities now.”

We’koqma’q, as well as the other four First Nations communities of Unama’ki, continue to seek out new opportunities to build on traditional methods and set new economic foundations for sustainable prosperity and the sustainable production of goods, as stewards of the land.

“This project generates revenue for our community without damaging our natural resources,” says Chief Googoo.

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Most of the trout raised in the farm will be shipped to the United States, Ontario and Quebec, however, We’koqma’q currently has no current plans for involvement in the distribution or marketing of the product. Currently, Northern Harvest Sea Farm Limited of New Brunswick and Newfoundland, purchases all of the fish harvested by the We’koqma’q fish farm.

The expansion of the farm, such as the recent purchase of the former Whycocomagh Arena to store equipment for the farm, will provide high-quality, sustainably harvested fish and assist We’koqma’q with its economic development objectives.

The fishery is one major way the band is diversifying its economy. The community also boasts a newly built convenience store and Tim Hortons outlet and owns a security company with contracts across Nova Scotia and at the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador.

“We are going big on the fishery but we also have other projects. We’re looking at other opportunities to create employment for our community,” says Chief Googoo.

“We can’t just sit idle. We have to look at the whole picture and what services we can provide.”

OCTOBER 2018

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PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

WELCOME, PJILA’SI: Three First Nations Communities join Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network CONTRIBUTED BY Cape Breton Partnership

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t the focal point for empowering indigenous communities and strengthening Cape Breton’s economy is the promotion of progressive and prosperous business relationships based on mutual respect and shared networks.

At the forefront for Cape Breton’s business community, administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, is the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN). The CBREN provides regional economic development, focusing on the attraction, retention and expansion of business on the island.

As of this year, the CBREN was pleased to welcome the First Nations communities of Eskasoni, Membertou and We’koqma’q as partnering communities within the network, furthering the business initiatives of the island.

“We are very happy to welcome Eskasoni, Membertou and We’koqma’q into the Regional Enterprise Network,” says Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “As an initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership, we see this as an

important step in strengthening our Island’s economy as we move toward One Cape Breton • Unama’ki.”

The addition of three of the five Mi’kmaq communities in Unama’ki will work to strengthen the network within Cape Breton, creating a stronger business economy, diversifying the range of products and services offered by the island and extending the reach of the CBREN network, providing new and emerging business perspectives across the province.

By building relationships between indigenous-owned businesses and non-indigenous business leaders, the network will facilitate growth in each community, ensuring the essential role of indigenous businesses is recognized, for a more equitable and sustainable Cape Breton economy.

In addition to the newly added First Nations communities, the CBREN also includes the Municipality of the County of Inverness, the Municipality of the County of Richmond and the Municipality of Victoria County.

“Eskasoni First Nation is proud to work with the CBREN to strengthen our community’s business assets,” says Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni First Nation.

“We are committed to working together WELCOME PJILA'SI

with businesses from across Unama’ki and beyond to grow a diverse and prosperous Aboriginal business community and foster sustainable business relations between Mi’kmaq and First Nations people and the business sector here and across Canada.”

The CBREN is the first regional enterprise network in the province with three First Nations communities. The Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) currently includes Glooscap First Nation and the Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity includes Millbrook First Nation.

“We are proud to be working with our regional partners to create opportunities and capacity for Cape Breton Island,” says Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation.

“Together, we will build economic prosperity and growth for the future.”

CBREN is one of seven regional enterprise networks across Nova Scotia and employs economic development officers who regularly engage local businesses in the BusinessNOW! Program. The program, which saw fifty-five Cape Breton business participants in the first quarter of 2018, provides individualized support to businesses while addressing roadblocks to growth in the region.

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IMMIGRATION SPOTLIGHT: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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Following her dreams Culture shock didn’t deter Lan Zheng from embracing life in Cape Breton

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

By NICOLE SIMMONS From densely populated spaces and giant panda bears to rural moose country, Lan Zheng decided to move to Cape Breton at 29 years old, where she would later gain her Canadian permanent resident status.

Originally from Chengdu, one of the largest cities in China with a total population of more than 18.1 million people, Zheng made Glace Bay, N.S. her new home in August 2012.

Understanding the cultural and socioeconomic differences between Chengdu and her new home in Cape Breton is like contrasting day and night. However, the culture shock didn’t deter Zheng from her dream of one day studying abroad in Canada.

“I had a dream when I was 18 to come study abroad but my parents couldn’t send me. So when I was 29, I had saved up enough money and that’s when I came to Canada,” says Zheng. “I had the choice to study in Toronto but I didn’t want to go to another big city. I wanted to go somewhere with lots of space where you’re always close to the water. In Cape Breton there’s lot of mountains and things to see; not like in the city.”

Zheng initially studied foreign trade at Chengdu University and, after graduation, secured a position at China Chengdu International Techno-Economic

Cooperation Co., a large international trade company. Before being promoted to Purchasing Officer, Zheng performed logistic operations in coordinating shipments to customers in the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and more.

Utilizing that experience, Zheng began a career in sales at the Hong Kong Economic Development Industrial Co., where she had a sales volume of about $3 million in 2012.

Realizing her potential in international sales, Zheng decided to make her way to Cape Breton Island to follow her dreams of continuing her education in Canada.

“When I arrived at NSCC, I met Helen Graham,” says Zheng. “She introduced me to international business trade courses at NSCC, which are really hands-on in understanding the local business community.”

Graham, instructor at both the Nova Scotia Community College and Cape Breton University, said Zheng’s experience and early success in international export in China paved the way for her education at the NSCC in the Business Administration program.

In March 2016, Graham hired Zheng as an interpreter to join the Doing Business in China program, where they visited the Jingshen seafood market in Beijing and introduced Nova Scotian lobster and snow crab to local Chinese companies. They also met with the trade commissioner at the Canadian embassy in Shanghai and learned more about potential businesses INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS

PHOTO STEVE WADDEN

opportunities for Canadian exports.

As one of the activities for the International Business practicum at NSCC, Graham took the students on a trip to Europe to study the fishing industry and take part in the Seafood Global Expo in Brussels, Belgium. During this trip, Zheng showed a particular interest in meeting with businesses in Canada and specifically Nova Scotia, to assist with their international seafood sales and other international businesses activities.

“We were doing research for seafood companies, marketing their product to European countries at the expo. That was the first time I met Osborne Burke” says Zheng. “After that, I was hired with Victoria Fisheries doing international sales in 2016.”

With her knowledge of the language and culture, paired with her recent research into the seafood industry, Zheng was the perfect match for her position at Victoria Co-operative Fisheries Ltd. and has been monumental in allowing the company to expand into Asian markets.

“She certainly understands the nature of the export business and the logistics behind moving shipping containers from here to Asia, because it’s no different from the logistics she was doing in China moving containers to Canada,” says Osborne Burke, General Manager, Victoria Co-operative Fisheries Ltd. “It’s a very positive thing when we are going to do business with customers and we have someone who is employed by

OCTOBER 2018

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It’s really important for companies to consider students when they’re looking to go into foreign countries. There may be international students who would like to stay here and already have existing connections, language skills and know the business culture in those countries. Many businesses don’t have those skills in-house, so it’s good to be able to hire somebody just out of school that does.”

HELEN GRAHAM, MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION INSTRUCTOR, CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY

us that they can relate to, are able to speak with in their preferred language and, more importantly, she understands exactly what we’re producing and can speak to that.”

In Zheng’s first year at Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, the company successfully sold and shipped three containers of Jonah crab, cod and snow crab valued at nearly $850,000 to Shanghai, as well as two containers to Hong Kong. Over the subsequent years of her employment, Victoria Co-operative Fisheries has managed to export to customers in approximately six Asian countries under Zheng’s guidance with sales in 2017 valuing nearly $2.5 million.

Victoria Co-operative Fisheries is approved as a designated employer for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, under which Zheng was endorsed by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Now, in her

third year of employment with Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, Zheng officially received her Canadian permanent residency as a skilled worker on April 16, 2018.

Helen Graham, Instructor for the Masters of Business Administration program at CBU, says the provincial push for immigration in Nova Scotia and producing products for export to global markets is necessary if the province hopes to grow.

“It’s really important for companies to consider students when they’re looking to go into foreign countries,” says Graham. “There may be international students who would like to stay here and already have existing connections, language skills and know the business culture in those countries. Many businesses don’t have those skills in-house, so it’s good to be able to hire somebody just out of school that does.”

Along with those benefits to businesses hiring through one of the immigration streams, are the benefits to the individual looking to relocate to the island and join the community.

“I consider myself having family in Glace Bay now,” says Zheng. “I’ve never really felt like I was missing home or I was alone. The family I was staying with while I was in school is like family to me now; they’ve always been there where I needed them. They’ve helped me improve my English and understand the people and the culture here. I’ve been here six years and haven’t moved out yet.”

Living in Cape Breton has been just like her dream, Zheng says.

“Everyone is friendly. I can go hiking, go for a run in the morning, enjoy the sun, enjoy the beach. So everything is good — and the seafood is even better.”

Marlene Usher FCPA, FCA

The FCPA designa�on is awarded to CPAs who, through their outstanding career achievements and community leadership, bring dis�nc�on to the accoun�ng profession and serve as a role model to others.

Site of Port of Sydney second berth.

Construction begins October 2018.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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The board and employees of the Port of Sydney Development Corpora�on congratulate Marlene Usher on her designa�on as a Fellow CPA.

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PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Dancers from Eskasoni, Pictou Landing & Paq’tnkek joined the Stoney Bear Singers for demonstrations of various dances and songs that are traditionally used in Mi’kmaq celebrations.

NSCC celebrates Peace and Friendship Diverse community groups join in song and dance

By NICOLE SIMMONS This September, people from across the island and beyond gathered to celebrate more than 250 years of peace and friendship with the Mi’kmaq and promote public awareness of Mi’kmaq culture and heritage amongst all Nova Scotians.

The Peace and Friendship day Mawio’mi, held by NSCC Strait Area Campus, kicked off the first week of fall classes at the college

and was supported by RBC, the Mawita’mk Society, AH Roy and the NSCC Strait Area Student Association.

As part of the event, the Stoney Bear Singers performed a number of traditional Mi’kmaq songs and drumming pieces while traditional regalia-donned dancers from Eskasoni, Pictou Landing and Paq’tnkek performed a variety of dances.

During the performance, Michael R. Denny of Eskasoni First Nation explained the significance of the dances, their meanings and use, the appropriate types of dances CELEBRATING PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP

used in celebrations and which dances continue to be used by the Mi’kmaq people during ceremonial gatherings.

Denny also discussed the history of the Mi’kmaq people and their role in achieving peace and friendship in Nova Scotia throughout the province’s history. He spoke of the ties between the Mi’kmaq and the Acadians, as well as the importance of diversity and inclusion at all stages in history.

“Reconciliation is a two-way avenue,” says Denny. “Both indigenous and nonindigenous people can learn from each other

OCTOBER 2018

Acoby Battiste of Eskasoni was the youngest of the dancers to participate in Peace and Friendship day. He demonstrated the grass dance, among other styles of dances.

by attending events such as the NSCC peace and friendship Mawio’mi. It was a great way to reconnect as allies and people and also to celebrate life. That’s what Mawio’mi is all about: a celebration of life.”

Dartmouth’s Mark James, RBC Olympian for the men’s canoe sprint and 20-time National Championship Gold Medalist, spoke to students about the similarities between sport and school when it comes to achieving goals and finding success. He encouraged students to dream big but to also enjoy the journey as much as the end goal.

James encouraged students to find one thing each day to accomplish — no matter how small — to attain a sense of achievement to build on each day following.

“NSCC is inspired by the Building Bridges project that Rosie Sylliboy is leading with the Mawita’mk Society from We’koqma’q,” says Tom Gunn, Principal, Nova Scotia Community College Strait Area Campus.

“We had over 600 people start the new academic year with a celebration of peace and friendship and a celebration of music and culture. This clearly aligns with the NSCC values of diversity and inclusion. ”

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Staff from the campus staff the barbecue, pizza and poutine stations, making sure all the visitors were well fed during the Peace and Friendship day.

RBC Olympian Mark James, a sprint canoe athlete from Dartmouth, spoke to students about the similarities between sport and school when it comes to achieving goals and finding success.

Emcee Michael R. Denny invited the crowd forward to learn the steps of a traditional Mi’kmaq dance

Local musicians Abby Mullendore, Barry Fougere, Alasdair Cameron and Strait Area Campus’ Alum Brett Pierce entertained the crowd indoors with two acoustic sets.

Along with the entertainment, attendees enjoyed a free barbecue, pizza, poutine and ice cream, along with games, an art table and RBC swag.

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CELEBRATING PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP

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CAPE BRETON REGIONAL CHAMBER UPDATE

Business reIMAGINEd CONTRIBUTED BY Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce

T

here is great value in reflection when looking ahead.

The past has a lot to teach us, both the successes and failures.

This is not only true in our personal lives, but it is also true for professionals and businesses alike.

As we enter into a new season, the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce embarked on it’s newest journey with a refreshed direction, mission, vision and identity. By going through this process, it has challenged the Chamber to look critically at where they have been, where they are currently and where they would like to be heading.

Through preparing for an installation for this September’s Lumiere Arts Festival — a free, three day arts festival culminating in a spectacular art-at-night event that lights up Sydney’s civic spaces with contemporary

art, culture and community spirit — the Chamber felt it would be important to prompt the community to reflect on the past and then share their visions of the future of Cape Breton Island.

This exhibit was intended to take viewers back through the history of Cape Breton business.

It is believed that by reflecting on the past, we are more able to visualize our future. As an island, we have had extraordinary success in a variety of sectors. The Chamber sees great potential and promise in our future and believes that the island’s past successes serve as one of the greatest indicators of what is to come. Through this exhibit the Chamber promped the community to reimagine the way we do business as an island.

By taking the opportunity to look back at the hard work and determination that continues to permeate throughout Cape Breton communities, we can harness this optimism to inspire and help to propel us into the future. The exhibit ended at a vision board where the community was asked to share their vision of the future of Cape Breton Island through words and images to express their hopes and goals for Cape Breton Island. It is said that small shifts lead to big changes.

Coming together to reflect and share is a small but exciting activity that the Chamber hopes will encourage people of our community to reflect on our past and visually communicate what they imagine for the future, working with us to reIMAGINE our island.

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CAPE BRETON REGIONAL CHAMBER UPDATE

OCTOBER 2018

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CAPE BRETON PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

Update from the Partnership CONTRIBUTED BY Cape Breton Partnership

T

he Cape Breton Partnership unites businesses and communities across Cape Breton to drive the economy forward. The Partnership is a proud product of the private sector and an agent of positive change for Cape Breton and the people that live and work here.

Recent Activities ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION – OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS On July 30, 2018, the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, in collaboration with the Cape Breton Partnership and regional partners, hosted the Atlantic

Immigration — Opportunities for your Business information session at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

The session took place during the visit of the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister for the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, with the Atlantic Immigration Pilot being a topic of discussion.

At the session, there were information booths from services around Cape Breton, such as the Cape Breton Connector Program, Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP), Nova Scotia Works - Island Employment and The YMCA of Cape Breton, YREACH Settlement Program, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration (CBICI) and

Immigration francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse (IFNÉ).

During the session audience members heard from President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership, Carla Arsenault, representatives from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia Minister of Immigration.

Speakers discussed the services in Cape Breton that work to ensure that newcomers succeed, as well as how to make Nova Scotia a more attractive province for immigrants.

SUMMER SOCIAL 2018 On July 19, 2018, the Cape Breton Partnership hosted a 2018 Summer Social at Kiju’s Corner Office and Patio, open to Partnership staff, board members, investors of the

Cape Breton Partnership and members of the community.

The Summer Social’s purpose was to bring everyone together for a relaxing afternoon of light snacks and refreshments with an opportunity to network and socialize with each other and formally welcome the new president and CEO, Carla Arsenault.

During the Summer Social, the Highland Village’s Director, Rodney Chaisson was presented with two WestJet Flight Vouchers to anywhere WestJet flies as part of a contest held by the Partnership over the previous year. The Cape Breton Partnership would like to thank everyone who came out to the Summer Social for their continued support of the Partnership and its events.

The Cape Breton Regionall E Enterprissse Netwo ork (CBREN) would like to welcome o Membertou First Nation, o , Eskasoni ni First Natio atio ation, on,, and We’koqma’q First Nation between n the Province ovince eo off No in joining the collaborative effortt b Novaa S Scotia through the Department of Municipal Affairs and the eM Municipaliit ities of Inve ver ern rn ne e ess ss, Ric ss Richmond, mo d, an and Victoria Counties.

The CBREN activities are delivered on Partn Partnership m a private sector Board of Directors. d byy the Cape B Breton Par nersh ership ip with oversight from

CBREN AREAS OF FOCUS REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LEVERAGE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

CHAMPION BUSINESS GROWTH

LAND & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

For more information about the CBREN and d it’s acctivities, s, visit visi the Cape p pe Breton Bret Partnership website at CapeBretonPartnership.com/cbren.

CapeBretonPartnership.com | info@CapeBretonPartnership.com PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

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UPDATE FROM THE CAPE BRETON REGIONAL ENTERPRISE NETWORK

Partners for Progress CONTRIBUTED BY Cape Breton Partnership

T

he Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN) is a partnership of the Province of Nova Scotia, the First Nation communities of Eskasoni, Membertou and We'koqma'q and the Municipalities of Victoria, Richmond and Inverness counties. The network is governed by a private sector Board of Directors and is administered by the Cape Breton Partnership.

The Network’s primary goals are to lead regional economic strategies, to support the development and attraction of new businesses and promote the retention and expansion of existing businesses.

2018 PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS CONFERENCE On September 6, 2018, the Regional Enterprise Networks of Nova Scotia held their 2018 Partners for Progress Conference at the Digby Pines Resort and Golf Course.

The 2018 Conference was facilitated by consultants Tim Merry and Tuesday RyanHart of The Outside and was hosted by the Western Regional Enterprise Network. Attendees included representatives of the regional enterprise networks, municipal units, government departments, economic and

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Morgan Murray, Innovation Director for Creative Island speaks at the 2018 Partners for Progress Conference in Digby.

community development organizations and the business community.

Conference participants took part in discussion groups and exercises while hearing from various industry partners including Angelique LeBlanc, Western REN President & CEO; Emily Pond, Department of Municipal Affairs Director of Governance; Jennifer Angel, Develop Nova Scotia President & CEO; Todd Coombs, NSBI Regional Business Development

Chartered Professional Accountants

Director; AJ Bird, Raven Sky Clean Technology President; and Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth.

The day-long conference was topped with a keynote speech from Morgan Murray, Innovation Director for Creative Island, an initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership. Murray’s presentation asked participants to consider some important questions and discussion pieces on the impact and capabilities of innovation and creativity

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CBREN UPDATE

OCTOBER 2018

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STRAIT AREA CHAMBER UPDATE

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

#WonderWomen of rural Cape Breton Speaker series designed to support women in developing full potential CONTRIBUTED BY Strait Area Chamber of Commerce Over the last year, the Strait Area Chamber has set a priority to bring together talented and engaged women from across rural Cape Breton. What started as an idea to share experiences through local consultations in 2017, culminated in the April 2018 launch of a #WonderWomen Speaker Series.

The series was designed to support women in developing their full potential whether they are involved in business, communities, families — or all of the above, as we see in so many busy women across the Island.

The stars aligned in planning and the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce was able to dovetail the #WonderWomen theme with the Chamber’s Small Halls | Big Ideas events, an initiative to bring more business development content to communities across Cape Breton. Small Halls events are generally held

in at least four communities, repeating the content in each so that local businesses have better access to information and services. When the Chamber began planning for women’s leadership development, it only made sense to hit the road for small halls to reach as many women as possible.

The first #WonderWomen Speaker Series kicked off with a bang in Port Hawkesbury in April. The inaugural speaker was Eleanor Beaton; she attracted a large crowd in the Town, followed by events in St. Peter’s, Baddeck, Inverness that same week. Eleanor is a women’s leadership mentor and founder of Fierce Feminine Leadership, an organization that helps ambitious professional women and business owners develop the confidence and influence they need to smash the glass ceiling and take their seats at the tables where the big deals and big decisions are made. She offered practical career/community accelerators, from mastering the fine art of follow up to setting effective boundaries. Those who

attended will recall five little words that were a particular hit, “That doesn’t work for me!”

August 2018 saw a repeat roadshow when international best-selling author Beth Wilson landed in Cape Breton to speak in Port Hawkesbury, Arichat, Baddeck and Inverness. Beth’s books have sold more than 1.4 million copies and have been translated into 12 languages.

As a life-long advocate for women’s equality, Beth delivered workshops in four communities to help women understand various communications styles and perspectives.

Next up in rural Cape Breton is the 100 Women Who Care event scheduled for October 18, 2018 at the Strathspey Performing Arts Centre; through this event, over $10,000 will be raised for a local charity in just one night!

During the initial consultations we held with women in 2017, every group we spoke to identified “giving back” as a core pillar of their own personal development. Started by a small group of women

STRAIT AREA CHAMBER UPDATE

in Inverness County just over a year ago, 100 Women Who Care Rural Cape Breton was a perfect match for the Chamber’s overall women’s development efforts and we have become a proud supporter of their work (www.100womenruralcapebreton.com).

To date, more than 250 women have participated in the #WonderWomen Speaker Series, with more content planned for early in the new year. Our goal is to attract topquality speakers to bring their strategies for advancing women in leadership to rural Cape Breton. Attendees have ranged from stay-at-home moms, to business owners, to community volunteers and all points between. There is a strong appetite across the Island for women to get together, share experiences and develop their leadership skills — we’ve discovered that there are #WonderWomen to be found in every community! For more information on Strait Area Chamber programs and services, visit www.straitareachamber.ca.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

‘Hard-working, independent, adaptive’ Small company benefits from hiring recent grads

By HEATHER LAURA CLARKE Thanks to a provincial government initiative to put recent graduates to work in their chosen field, it was easier than ever for Certispec Services Inc. to hire the new employee it needed.

“We wanted a recent graduate with a fresh chemistry background, and the graduate we hired has been extremely hard-working, independent and adaptive,” says branch manager Theresa Maclean. “He takes a lot of initiative to get things done.”

The independent inspection/testing company in Sydney, Cape Breton needed to hire more employees to keep up with the demand after the Donkin coal mine opened.

One of their new hires is Robert MacIntyre, who was raised in Sydney and hoped to remain there to build a career and a family.

He graduated from Cape Breton University with a degree in Health Science, and landed a permanent full-time position as a lab technician at Certispec Services Inc within three days of graduating.

Many of MacIntyre’s university peers left Nova Scotia to pursue jobs elsewhere. But the Graduate to Opportunity program enabled Certispec Services Inc. to create a job for a fresh grad.

Other small businesses, start-ups, nonprofits and social enterprises operating in Nova Scotia are also eligible for the funding — which offers up to 35 per cent of the grad’s first year salary and 12.5 per cent of the grad’s second-year salary.

The GTO program has helped more than 680 graduates get jobs in their fields in Nova Scotia over the past three years alone. For the first time in 32 years, more youth are moving to the province — or moving back — rather than leaving.

MacIntyre spends his days preparing, testing and analyzing incoming coal samples.

He also calculates data and reports results to clients. When the day’s work is finished, he’s happy to have a short drive home to his young family.

“You never sit idle here, which I really like,” says MacIntyre. “Cape Breton is home to me, so having a job here that I enjoy is very rewarding.”

Learn more about how GTO can help you hire fresh talent by visiting novascotia.ca/ programs/graduate-to-opportunity.

Ross was well-trained at school and came here hitting the ground running.

MICHEL COMEAU VICE PRESIDENT CAMPBELL COMEAU ENGINEERING The Graduate to Opportunity Program provides salary contributions to small businesses, start-up companies, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations to help hire a recent grad. To breathe new life into your workforce, visit NOVASCOTIA.CA/GTO

Ross Whyte, Architectural Engineer, Campbell Comeau Engineering

SPECIAL FEATURE

OCTOBER 2018

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