April 6, 2016

The Board of Directors of the Nuxalk Development Corporation is proud to introduce our new President and CEO, who takes over for Randy Hart effective from April 6, 2016.  Keith Hamilton is originally from Calgary, but has relocated to Bella Coola from NW Ontario.  Keith has been working in similar organizations in Western and Northern Canada since the early 1990's.  He is no stranger to the area, as he worked in Bella Bella for several years in the early 2000's, and was frequently in Bella Coola during that time.  Keith said "it is a great pleasure to be back in the Bella Coola Valley.  My wife and I have always enjoyed visiting here and this position allows us to make the valley our permanent home."We welcome Keith and his wife Ina to the community.

October 1st, 2015

Randy Hart, President & CEO announced his pending retirement.  Randy has worked for NDC since February 2012.  The NDC Board of Directors will commence a search for a new leader for the company.

June 5th, 2015

Copper Sun, BCVT and cooperation in Bella Coola

An article was published in today’s edition of the Coast Mountain News regarding Nuxalk Development Limited Partnership’s newest businesses “Copper Sun Gallery” and “Copper Sun Journeys”: http://www.coastmountainnews.com/news/306324061.html   The article will be also be published in an upcoming edition of the "Casual Country" supplement of the Williams Lake Tribune.

May 7th, 2015

The Nuxalk Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Jim Bennett, CA has been appointed the Chair of the Board of Directors and Spencer Siwallace, RPF has been appointed the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.

Jim’s business background includes 20 years with KPMG in Vancouver where he was a Partner and had exposure to a variety of resource based industries.   Jim’s role at KPMG involved advising boards of public and private companies with a focus on guiding audit committees with respect to their financial and governance oversight role.   Jim was raised in Courtenay, B.C. and has fond memories of visiting Bella Coola with his father on their boat.  Jim currently lives in New Westminster.

Spencer is a past elected Chief Councilor and elected Councilor for the Nuxalk Nation, and has served on numerous boards and committees including the NDC, Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning Society (Acwsalcta School), the Great Bear Initiative Society, and the Nuxalk Forestry Committee.   Raised as a commercial fisherman as well as being a Registered Professional Forester, Spencer brings industry knowledge to the NDC board.  Spencer is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in the Nuxalk Community

April 24th, 2015:
Nuxalk Development Corporation is announces the following personnel changes:
Maureen Leys has accepted the position of Accounting Coordinator; this is a full-time salaried position.  Maureen will be responsible for overseeing all bookkeeping and accounting operations for NDC and its affiliates.  We welcome Maureen to our team and look forward to her contributions to our company.  Maureen worked for the Nuxalk Nation Band Administration prior to joining the company.
Cynthia Khonje, Accounting Supervisor, is leaving the company to take a senior position with the Nuxalk Nation Band Administration.  Cynthia was instrumental in implementing new bookkeeping and accounting systems within NDC including the introduction of Xyntax Accounting Software.  Cynthia greatly assisted with developing systems for our new aboriginal walking tour business which is scheduled for roll-out this summer. 
We will miss Cynthia's contributions and we thank her for her dedicatedservice to the company and community.

March 19th, 2015

The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) has a newly appointed Board of Directors, including three members of the Nuxalk Nation and two experienced corporate leaders from outside the Nuxalk Nation.  The appointments will take effect on April 1st 2015.

The NDC is a wholly owned entity of the Nuxalk Nation, located in Bella Coola, BC. Starting in late 2014, the company issued a call for expressions of interest from people who had an interest in serving as Directors to lead the future of NDC and all its other companies (fisheries, port, sawmill etc.).  The NDC has a mandate to carry out economic development activities on behalf of the Nuxalk Nation in a manner that is consistent with social, environmental and cultural goals of the Nation. 

Several expressions of interest were received and 8 candidates were interviewed.  At their February meeting, the NDC’s Trustees appointed five individuals as NDC Directors. In alphabetical order, the new Directors are:

  • Garnet Andrews – Garnet’s business background includes several years of experience with annual investment strategy planning, project planning and strategy execution.  He currently fulfills the role of Director, Investment Management at Telus. He has served on both corporate boards and trust boards and their related subcommittees.  Garnet founded the Telus Eagles; a resource group created for the purpose of the engaging Aboriginal communities and improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal employees at Telus.  Garnet is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in Surrey, B.C.
  • Jim Bennett – Jim’s business background includes 20 years with KPMG in Vancouver where he was a Partner and had exposure to a variety of resource based industries.   Jim’s role at KPMG involved advising boards of public and private companies with a focus on guiding audit committees with respect to their financial and governance oversight role.   Jim was raised in Courtenay, B.C. and has fond memories of visiting Bella Coola with his father on their boat.  Jim currently lives in New Westminster.
  • Sharon Dawson – Sharon is an experienced Board Member having served as a Director on the Board of Nuxalk Forestry Limited.  Sharon previously worked for the Nuxalk Nation in the Band Office and currently works with the Williams Lake and District Credit Union as a Member Services Representative.   Sharon is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in the Nuxalk Community.
  • Nancy More – Nancy brings strong strategic planning experience to the NDC having worked on global plans that included up to 17 operating units in 8 countries, in the consumer goods sector. Nancy’s experience includes working with indigenous peoples in Africa, developing leadership and business skills.  Nancy has worked with several boards and steering committees including serving as the Board Chair for Vantage Point, an organization that develops leadership, governance, strategy formulation and other skills in the not-for-profit sector.  Nancy resides in Vancouver.
  • Spencer Siwallace – A past elected Chief Councilor and elected Councilor for the Nuxalk Nation, Spencer has served on numerous boards and committees including the NDC, Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning Society (Acwsalcta School), the Great Bear Initiative Society, and the Nuxalk Forestry Committee.   Raised as a commercial fisherman as well as being a Registered Professional Forester, Spencer brings industry knowledge to the NDC board.  Spencer is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in the Nuxalk Community.

The three Trustees of the NDC who are responsible for appointing the Directors were appointed in 2014 by the Band Council to oversee the governance of this important economic development vehicle on behalf of the community. The Trustees are: Violet Clellamin, Evangeline Hanuse and Sam Moody.

The Trustees sought candidates who offered a mix of the following attributes:

  • Business experience in accounting, finance, human resources, and/or marketing;
  • A strong ability to understand financial and non-financial performance reports;
  • Knowledge of, and experience in one or more of the following sectors: Forestry, Value Added Wood Processing, Tourism, Fisheries, Marine Development and others;
  • Previous board experience and training in business, finance or government relations;
  • An understanding of Nuxalk culture and/or experience in working with First Nations;
  • The willingness to devote time required to carry out Director duties and responsibilities;
  • The ability to be impartial, trustworthy and respectful of confidentiality that the role requires;
  • A positive attitude that promotes teamwork; and
  • Values similar to those of the Nuxalk Nation and its culture.

Between April 22 and 24, 2015, the three Trustees and the five Directors will assemble in Bella Coola for a formal orientation to their new roles, and their first face-to-face Board meeting. A community celebration is planned for the evening of April 22.

October 24th, 2014:
Totem Sawmill Limited Partnership announced that Louise Hopkins, Sawmill Site Coordinator, is leaving the company today.  Louise started as the Community Liaison Coordinator in December 2012 for Nuxalk Development Corporation and transferred to Totem Sawmill in November 2013.  We will miss Louise's contributions and thank her for her service to the company and community.
October 17th, 2014
Nuxalk Chief & Council today have appointed Violet Clellamin and Evangeline Hanuse, both members of the Nuxalk Band and both residing in Bella Coola, as new Trustees for the Nuxalk Development Corp (NDC) and all its subsidiaries.  Violet and Evangeline join Sam Moody, a Nuxalk Band member residing in Williams Lake, BC on the 3-person Board of Trustees. Concurrent with the appointment of the 2 new Trustees, Council today accepted the resignation of Theresa Brook from the Board of Trustees. 
August 29th, 2014:
Nuxalk Development Corporation announced that Dan Fuller, Operations Supervisor, is leaving the company today upon expiration of his contract, to pursue new interests.  Dan was instrumental in guiding company operations, especially at the sawmill, over the past three years.  We wish Dan well in all his future endeavors.
July 2nd, 2014:
Nuxalk Forestry Limited Partnership is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to our team.
Isaiah Edgar and Jerrel Nelson, Summer Students; these are seasonal (2 month) positions; both will return to high school in September.  Isaiah and Jerrel will be responsible for assisting staff and gaining experience in all facets of our forestry, dry land sort and sawmilling operations. We welcome Isaiah and Jerrel to our team!
June 16th, 2014:
Totem Sawmill Limited Partnership is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to our team.
Jamie Schooner, Sawmill Supervisor; this is a full-time position.  Jamie will be responsible for overseeing operations as well as safety management at the sawmill located on Saloompt Road in Hagensborg. We welcome Jamie to our team and look forward to his contributions to our growing company.
March 5, 2014:  
Chris Nelson, whose responsibilities include assisting development of fledgling aboriginal tourism opportunities, was recently elected as a Director to the Board of Bella Coola Valley Tourism where he will provide a liaison to the Nuxalk Development Corporation.

Nuxalk, Bella Coola Community Forests collaborate to increase economic opportunities

Common interests have prevailed with the collaboration of the Nuxalk Forestry Ltd. Partnership and the Bella Coola Community Forest at the Clayton Falls dry land sort.
The two companies have been operating independently of one another for over five years, but have recently come together to increase productivity and business opportunities in the Valley.
“We are two small companies facing the same challenges,” said Bella Coola Community Forest Manager Hans Granander. “But we also have the same goals: to create more local economic opportunities and employment from our forestry operations.”
The Bella Coola Community Forest (BCCF) has been operational since 2007, when it was first issued a five-year probationary license to harvest up to 30,000 cubic metres per year from six different areas around the Valley. Now operating under a 25-year renewable license, most of their operation has been based in the Nusatsum and Saloompt areas, and the company employs about twenty local people in different positions throughout the year.
The Nuxalk Forestry Ltd. Partnership (NFLP) is but one of many divisions of the Nuxalk Development Corporation, an independent for-profit company with interests in forestry, sawmilling, commercial fishing, and eco-tourism. The company has a 25-year renewable Community Forest License centred in South Bentinck Arm and has been logging there since 2009, with an allowable cut of 20,000 cubic metres per year.
“Most of our activity has been conventional ground-based logging in South Bentinck’s Camp Two area, but we also did some heli-logging in the Ickna River in 2012,” said Randy Hart, CEO of the Nuxalk Development Corporation. “In the 2012/2013 fiscal year NFLP generated just over $3.4 million in gross revenue and employed 48 Nuxalk people during that time. This is a huge boost to the Central Coast and Valley economies.”
Both Granander and Hart stated that the BCCF and NFLP are committed to growing the local economy by purchasing supplies and services from within the Valley whenever feasible.
Hart admits that there are some members within the Nuxalk community that oppose the logging, but he remains confident that the employment and economic activity generated is beneficial, not only to the Nuxalkmc, but also to the wider community.
“We have been employing about a quarter of our workers year-round while the remainder are seasonally employed,” said Hart. “The operation is selective patch cutting and it’s very sustainable. Our intention is to harvest timber in a manner that respects the culture and traditions of the Nuxalkmc as well as protect the important values and features of the Great Bear Rainforest.”
The two companies have come together at the dry land sort where they jointly process logs from both operations. While both companies use Vancouver-based company A&A Trading Ltd. to market their logs, there is desire on both sides to see the wood processed locally first.
“The dry land sort is where the logs are scaled and processed,” said Granander. “Previously, this work was done in Howe Sound, and we were missing out on this opportunity.”
A&A Trading owns the dry land sort, but the BCCF manages the day-to-day operations, contracts the required equipment such as the tug and boom boat and loaders, and deals with any issues that may arise. NFLP is now supplying the workers, including the log-buckers, log-scalers and log-bundlers as well as equipment and supplies.
This has taken the processing capabilities of the sort to a whole new level and both forestry companies are now hopeful that their new working relationship will enable them to attract even more business from the Central Coast and even the Chilcotin plateau.
“There are numerous advantages to this new relationship,” explained Hart. “For one, we need to be competitive within the industry, and this increased capability at the dry land sort is essential. Another is the community advantage. The trim ends from the processed logs are now available to the community for building, carving wood or as firewood. Obviously this can’t occur when the wood is processed out of town.”
Granander is confident that the collaboration is just the beginning of increased productivity for both companies. “Overall we are very pleased with how it’s coming together,” he said. “It’s a really good example of two entities working together with a common goal and enjoying a successful outcome.”
February 6th, 2014
By the passage of Band Council Resolution #1079 on February 6, 2014 (the “BCR”), the Nuxalk Nation Chief and Council, on behalf of the members of the Nuxalk Nation, authorized the creation of the Nuxalk Nation Amended Economic Development Bare Trust and the preparation and execution of the Nuxalk Nation Amended Economic Development Bare Trust Agreement.
By the passage of the BCR, the Nuxalk Nation Chief and Council, on behalf of the members of the Nuxalk Nation, accepted the resignations of Archie Pootlass and Lawrence Mack as the Trustees of the original Nuxalk Nation Economic Development Bare Trust and officially appointed Sam Moody, a member of the Nuxalk Nation currently residing in Williams Lake, BC and Theresa Brook of Bella Coola, BC to replace them as the new Trustees of the Nuxalk Nation Amended Economic Development Bare Trust.  Each will hold one share of Nuxalk Development Corporation in trust for the account and benefit of the members of the Nuxalk Nation. 

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

For Immediate Release via email and Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC website www.AboriginalBC.com

Nuxalk Community Continues Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Planning for Future

(Bella Coola, British Columbia – Nuxalk Territory) Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) representatives attended three days this week focusing on intense Aboriginal cultural tourism planning in partnership with the Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) and the Nuxalk leadership.

AtBC is currently in year 2 of the current five year strategy entitled The Next Phase 2012-2017. One of the key priorities in the strategy was a continued focus on regional planning. AtBC and approximately 27 First Nations worked to initiate a Cariboo Chilcotin Coast regional, Aboriginal tourism plan which was completed in September 2013. Since this completion AtBC has initiated a number of implementation steps which included this continued work with the Nuxalk community. 

AtBC CEO Henry stated; "I am extremely thankful to the leadership and staff of the Nuxalk community. AtBC was welcomed through proper protocol and an official welcome from a delegation of Nuxalk hereditary Chiefs. We met with elected leadership, numerous local artists and some current tourism businesses. The highlight was a community forum held Monday evening where over 150 community members attended to better understand AtBC and the key initiatives and work we are undertaking as a provincial sector organization. We provided a thorough overview of the current growth and what we are seeing for future demands.”

AtBC CEO Henry added; “Hereditary Chief Noel Pootlass took time to provide AtBC representatives some of the key history of the community and culture. He showcased his significant cultural art work and shared a number of stories about the land.” AtBC Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Regional Director, Douglas Green, stated; “I was thankful for the chance to let the community know about AtBC and my role as the regional representative. I shared my journey in Aboriginal tourism and assured the community that I was there to assist. I was also able to reconnect with family living in the Nuxalk community which made this work much more meaningful now and into the future." AtBC CEO Henry concluded; "Thank you to the Nuxalk Development Corporation led by President and CEO Mr. Randy Hart and his team, including Mr. Chris Nelson. They were gracious hosts and together we have committed to strong next steps. 

Going forward AtBC will further explore ways to market and support local Nuxalk artists, support operational and feasibility work for Nuxalk tourism priorities, and develop recommendations for future Aboriginal cultural tourism development. The Nuxalk territory is a beautiful area, rich in culture, and natural beauty. There is no question further respectful tourism development can support the local economy and bring domestic and international visitors a once in a life time experience. " 

 November 5 - 7, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) attended the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC Stakeholder Forum, Annual General Meeting (AGM), and Explore Aboriginal BC Travel Trade Event this week at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center in Whistler and the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver.  The events were well attended with Aboriginal tourism representatives attending from all parts of British Columbia.

October 25th, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) joined the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC as an "Associate Stakeholder".  NDC is fortunate to access AtBC's expertise to assist us in pursuing tourism opportunities within the Nuxalk Traditional Territory.  We are also excited to participate in AtBC's Plus Aboriginal BC campaign to encourage visitors to British Columbia that their trip is not complete without at least one Aboriginal tourism experience.  See www.aboriginalbc.com for more information.

October 15th, 2013: Six graduate and post-graduate students from the University of British Columbia have been finalizing their projects - which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.  One of the projects is to re-brand Nuxalk Development Corporation.  A community meeting and a number of focus group sessions were conducted to explore possibilities; recommendations for a new name and suggestions for a corporate logo will be forthcoming.

September 4th, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC), is seeking Nuxalkmc to serve as trustees who can commit to between one and three years in the role of trustee. We are in the process of reorganizing company activities and are looking for two people to hold shares in trust for NDC’s owners, the Nuxalkmc of Bella Coola.  Application deadline is 4:30 pm on Sep. 20th.

August 24th, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) is looking for Directors to lead the future of NDC and all its other companies (fisheries, port, sawmill etc.). We have a mandate to carry out economic development activities on behalf of the Nuxalk Nation in a manner that is consistent with social, environmental and cultural goals of the Nation. We are now in the process of reorganizing company activities and structure, and are looking for individuals to serve as Directors that can commit between one to three years in this capacity.  Application deadline is 4:30 pm on Sep. 13th.  For more information visit:
http://fnbc.info/sites/default/files/documents/2013.08.20%20Nuxalk%20Nation%20Seeking%20Company%20Directors.pdf  

July 26th, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to our team.

Cynthia KhonjeAccounting Supervisor; this is a full-time position.  Cynthia will be responsible for overseeing bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services, administrative support and office services, contract services management and safety management for the Company and its subsidiaries. We welcome Cynthia to our team and look forward to her contributions to our growing company.

 July 15th, 2013: Amy Pootlass, Administration Clerk, announced she is leaving the company, effective July 31st to pursue other interests.  The Board of Directors and management staff thank Amy for her dedicated service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

June 11th, 2013: The Nuxalk Development Corporation announced today that three Interim Directors have been appointed by Chief Wally Webber, NDC Trustee: Spencer Siwallace, RPF, Peter Tallio and Wanda Wilson replace outgoing Directors Andrew Andy, Archie Pootlass and Samuel Schooner.  The Interim Directors were installed to oversee the reorganization of the corporate business governance structure that MNPLLP is assisting the company with.  It is expected a new 5-person Board of Directors as well as a 2 or 3 person Trustee Board will be installed by late-fall 2013.

Mssr's Andy, Pootlass and Schooner were the founding Directors and it was their vision and leadership that created the company; we sincerely thank them for their service and dedication.

 

The Nuxalk Development Corporation has received support from FP Innovations, Western Region, to assist with development of an efficient method of tracking log inventory, production, sales and maintenance costs for NDC's sawmill and woods operations.

The Nuxalk Development Corporation  through a community led process developed a forest vision in June 2012 which  identified three main areas to invest resources in support of community goals. These areas are (1) Forest Management, (2) Economic and Business Development, and (3) the Nuxalk Community. As a result of this process (and resulting community-wide endorsement of the vision), NDC and the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have partnered to conduct applied research to action the above areas of work. 

The following research projects will be conducted between January and May of 2013 to advance economic development.  The scope of work for projects undertaken with the Faculty of Forestry at UBC, is to be defined through a collaborative process with the Nuxalk Development Corporation and involves the use of graduate student resources from top tier Canadian universities. Suitable projects include analyses of existing business units, industry sector opportunities or any realistically achievable research project that is suitable for a graduate student to perform, is beneficial to the Nuxalk Nation and fits within the research themes of the Faculty of Forestry. The broad research themes to be explored are timber management, non-timber forest management, wood product manufacturing & markets, and community planning. Approved projects are:

1.     Timber supply impacts from alternative plans under consideration (marine-use plan, comprehensive community plan, etc.)

2.     Wood manufacturing- waste stream option #1 – combined heat and power

3.     Wood manufacturing – waste stream option #2 – charcoal, biochar, fuelwood

4.     Non timber forest products – hemlock oil

5.     Housing the elderly – social needs assessment and a plan (researcher: Dallas Pootlass who is Nuxalkmc).

Funding for these projects is through collaboration with Nuxalk Development Corporation, Coast Opportunity Funds anMITACS (a national, not-for-profit research organization with an office on the UBC campus).  The research projects are expected to conclude by May of 2013.

 Nuxalk Development Corporation, with financial support from Coast Opportunity Funds, has retained MNP LLP, the 7th largest full service accounting, tax and advisory firm in Canada; MNP has extensive experience working with First Nations.  MNP will guide NDC in the development of a Business Plan and an Economic Development Strategy.  As well, they will provide expert advice on NDC's Business Governance Structure.  MNP will facilitate community-wide meetings to receive input from band members as to the make-up of the Board of Directors, criteria for how Directors are selected and remunerated, and expected credentials of Directors.  MNP will follow-up with training on the duties and responsibilities of executive staff and the Board of Directors.  The project is expected to conclude by October 2013.

December 11th, 2012: The Nuxalk Development Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to our team.

1.      Amy Pootlass, Administration Clerk; this is a full-time position.  Amy will be responsible for planning and overseeing administrative support and office services for the Company, including reception duties, shipping and receiving, basic bookkeeping & contract services management, supplies and stationery, and general troubleshooting.

2.      Louise Hopkins, Community Liaison Coordinator; this is a full-time position.  Louise will be responsible for connecting the Company with the community through one-on-one meetings, focus groups, school groups, and community-wide meetings, newsletters, public presentations, social media, and traditional media to ensure NDC’s practices are continuously aligned with Nuxalkmc governance, values and traditions

3.      Chris Nelson, Community Liaison Coordinator; this is a temporary position. Chris will be working with and assisting Louise for the month of December and on an as-needed basis after that.

Amy, Louise and Chris are band members of the Nuxalk Nation and join Dan Fuller (Operations Manager) and Randy Hart (President & CEO) at the Nuxalk Development Corporation.

Sep. 1st, 2012:  NDC's Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Daniel L. Fuller has been appointed as the Operations Manager.

The Operations Manager reports to the President and has responsibility for all the activities in the Corporation which contribute to the effective production of goods and services  He is accountable for processes, quality, quantity, cost control, inventory needed to produce the goods and services, safety, and the management of human resources.

Sep. 1st, 2012:  NDC's Board of Directors are pleased to announce that R.G. (Randy) Hart, RPF has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer.

The President and CEO reports to the Board of Directors and manages the business and affairs of the Corporation within the guidelines established by the Board.  He is responsible to operate a profitable business enterprise to meet the economic development aspirations of the Nuxalk Nation.  He is accountable for carrying through with the long term corporate strategy, financial management, new business development, and oversight of day to day operations.

Sep 1st, 2012:  NDC's Board of Directors are:

                              1. Andrew Andy - since 2011.  Andrew is currently the Nuxalk Nation's elected Chief Councilor.

                              2. Sam Schooner - since 2011.  Sam is an elected Councilor of the Nuxalk Nation and a certified professional tree faller.

                              3. Archie Pootlass - since 2011.  Archie is the Capital Works Manager and a former elected Nuxalk Nation Chief Councilor.

The Board is responsible for overseeing and directing the work of the corporation, including without limitation, the approval of all annual or multi-year work plans and accompanying budgets.