Community Economic Development With Neechi Foods: Impact on Aboriginal Fishers in Northern Manitoba, Canada

Durdana Islam; Shirley Thompson

doi:10.29173/jaed298

Authors

Durdana Islam
Shirley Thompson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/jaed298

Keywords:

Business, Business And Economics, Commercial fishing, Community, Cooperatives, Customer satisfaction, Economic conditions, Economic development, Employees, Employment, Ethnic Interests, Feasibility studies, Fish, Fisheries, Fishermen, Food, Grocery stores, Handicrafts, Indigenous peoples, Informal economy, Manufacturing, Music, Native North Americans, Neighborhoods, Northern communities, Profits, Recessions, Rice, Sales, Training, Value added

Abstract

Neechi Foods Co-op located in the north end of Winnipeg, Canada is an ideal example of an Aboriginal community economic development initiative. This grocery store has been operating for over 21 years and is an associate member of the Federated Co-operatives Ltd. Neechi Foods is committed to providing quality products and services to ensure a high degree of customer satisfaction and retention, building a strong cooperative, and promoting community economic development and opportunities for Aboriginal peoples. Neechi Foods Co-op sells freshly prepared bannock, wild rice, wild blueberries, freshwater fish, and other Indigenous specialty foods, home-made deli products, conventional grocery items and Aboriginal crafts, books and music. The co-op has been commercially self-reliant and profitable despite severe economic crises in its surrounding neighbourhood. In 2009-2010 financial year, annual sales of Neechi Foods Co-op reached over $600,000. Neechi Foods Co-op is expanding its business and building the Neechi Commons Co-operative business complex which will start operation in 2012.