First Nations financial planners make plans to gather in Rupert

Tricorp is making its plans to host the annual general meeting of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association in June.

It's an ambitious project, providing for a gathering of some 150 economic developers from First Nations groups from across Canada. One which Tricorp claimed after a presentation that brought the gathering westward over competition from Edmonton.

Scheduled for the Crest hotel from June 26 to 28, Tricorp is expecting the conference to provide great exposure for the local agency and Prince Rupert at large.

The background on the planned meetings was the main article of the front page for Monday’s Daily News.

REGION’S PROFILE ATTRACTING FINANCIAL GURUS TO TOWN
Canada’s premiere aboriginal financial experts are set to converge on city
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, April 23, 2007
Pages one and three

Tricorp will be hosting 150 experts in aboriginal economic development from the four corners of Canada during the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA) annual general meeting this June.

Peter Lantin, Tricorp’s chief operating officer, said they put forward their interest in hosting the event at the NACCA annual general meeting last year. Given the economic growth expected to happen in Prince Rupert, NACCA members agreed.

“There’s a lot of things that are going on in Prince Rupert that when you go to these type of meetings people talk about. You always hear about the port project. Every time we get out of Prince Rupert and talk to our network, it’s the first thing people talk about,” said Lantin.

“I think it’s great exposure for Tricorp and Prince Rupert.”

The meeting will take place in Prince Rupert from June 26 to 28, mostly at the Crest Hotel, with all the general managers and chairs of aboriginal financial institutions across the country invited to attend.

NACCA is the national organization representing aboriginal financial institutions across Canada, with some 53 member agencies including Tricorp. The organization is dedicated to promoting economic growth across Canada through the Aboriginal communities it serves.

Tricorp operates a revolving business loan fund and provides support services for aboriginals in the Northwest. It’s four shareholder members include the Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a and Gitksan Wet’suwet’en.

When Tricorp put forward its bid to host the event, Edmonton’s aboriginal financial institution also put forward a bid. “You get your opportunity to address the group and literally it’s a vote. They gave us a 10-minute window to promote ourselves and we beat out Edmonton,” said Lantin.

“For us, it wasn’t a hard sell. Edmonton has the casino, West Edmonton Mall and all the amenities that cities have. What we have is all about the Northwest – fishing, seafood and culture. It wasn’t even close.”

Speakers attending the event are still being arranged. However, they usually include the funders of NACCA – Indian and Northern affairs – among other dignitaries.

Lantin said they are still in the process of organizing the vent details. However, they hope to hold a cultural night that reflects the shareholders of Tricorp – the Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a and Gitksan Wet’suwet’en. They would like to get a dance group from each to perform for that night.

“We are kind of just working out the details right now,” he said.

Tricorp provides loans to 38 communities in the Northwest and has contributed more than $25 million to the region during the last 15 years.

Among the success stories locally are Shear Pleasure, Mudpuddles, Rainforest Books, Friendship House, Adanac Construction, Dog House, Race Trac Gas, Talin Construction, Haida Fishing, Silverback Fishing Adventures and H20 Adventures.