Introduction
We are a non-profit organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by dedicated staff serving all of Haida Gwaii. We started operations in 1998 with the objective of working with Islands' people and organizations to create a vibrant Islands Community. Our core funding for this program is provided by Western Economic Development Canada.
We are a Community Economic Development (CED) organization. The CED approach recognizes that finding solutions to the islands' challenges in achieving sustainable economic well being is only possible if we recognize the inter-relatedness of the social, economic, cultural and environmental spheres and work towards holistic actions.
Our services include supporting community CED planning activites, assisting community organizations and social enterprises build the capacity to meet islands' needs, assisting budding entrepreneurs in all the steps to start up or expand a business, and to assist businesses, social enterprises and enterprising non-profits access financial capital. We have loan investment funds that are available to facilitate raising the capital needed for business and enterprise development.
Haida Gwaii Community Futures's Mission Statement:
Supporting entrepreneurial spirit to create a sustainable economic future for Haida Gwaii
Strategic Priorities:
Building the foundations of a vibrant islands community through Community Economic Development, building entrepreneurial capacity, investing in small and medium sized enterprises and maintaining organizational sustainability.
Meet our Staff
The staff at Haida Gwaii Community Futures is happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
General Manager: Art Lew
Email: alew@haidagwaiifutures.ca or future@island.net
Art has managed Haida Gwaii Community Futures since inception 14 years ago. He holds University degrees in Business Administration and in Community Economic Development (CED). He has held positions in management consulting, in senior management in a variety of business sectors and as an owner/manager of a small business. His CED experience has spanned the last 15 years on Haida Gwaii and in Vancouver. He is involved with many island organizations including:
- Mount Moresby Adventure Camp
- Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society
- Northwest Community College
- Haida Gwaii Youth Society
Business Analyst and Loans Co-ordinator: Skye Cantin
Email: scantin@haidagwaiifutures.ca or futures@haidagwaii.net
Skye began her career in finance over 30 years ago and originally moved to the islands to work for Northern Savings Credit Union but later became one of the Haida Gwaii Community Future staff - where she has remained for over 10 years. Skye is in the Skidegate office Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and in Masset Tuesdays and Fridays. Skye is or has been involved in the following local organizations:
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Board Member for the Heritage Housing Society - Since 2004
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Board Member for the Edge of the Word Music festival - 2004 to 2010
Accountant: Joan Husband
Email: accounts@haidagwaiifutures.ca
Joan works at the Masset office on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (all day).
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Office Co-ordinator: Charley Jolley
Email: office@haidagwaiifutures.ca
Charley has lived on Haida Gwaii 5 years now but started her career in the UK, where she is originally from. She has a background in computing including web design, communications and Project Management.
Charley works at the Masset Office Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm to 5pm.
Board of Directors
Our board volunteers are an integral part of our Organization. Our board is made up of ten members; 50% are representatives of the Haida communities while 50% represent the other communities on the islands. Local governments make nominations that are recommended to the board and four members - three Haida and one other are at large and are nominated by the board based on their expression of interest. Term of office is 2 years with half expiring each year at the annual general meeting.
In electing the directors the membership who are the board members consider the following criteria:
- Community involvement that brings a good understanding of the community's needs, aspirations and values.
- Commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of Haida Gwaii Community Futures
- Breath of Vision to see Haida Gwaii as one community and a commitment to work towards building a vital and sustainable community
- Sufficient time to participate fully
- Willing to play an active role in realizing on the CED initiatives that build the capacity of the Islands as a whole to create and maintain a vibrant local economy
- Understanding the necessity to avoid actual and perceived conflict of interest in any Community Futures activities
- Understanding the need for absolute confidentiality with respect to all client business development matters
- Understanding of the concepts underlying community economic development
- Understanding of small business operations and the environment needed to foster success of small business enterprises
Our current directors as of January 30, 2012 are:
Nominations from the Communities:
- Heron Wier - MIMC Representative - heron@heronwier.com
- Alfred Setso Snr. - Old Massett Representative - alfie.setso@mhtv.ca
- Natanis Hageman - Masset Representative - natanis333@mhtv.ca
- Thomas Urs - Port Clements Representative - u.thomas@portclements.ca
- William Yovanovich - Skidegate Representative - william.yovanovich@skidegate.ca
- Mark Yaroshuk - Queen Charlotte Representative - longhouse@hgqci.org
Community Members at Large:
- Patricia Moore - North - Haida Representative - pam@mhtv.ca
- Mike Racz - Haida Gwaii - Non Haida - mikeracz3@gmail.com
- Cecil Brown - Haida Representative - agcbrown@massett.ca
Financial Statements
Haida Gwaii Community Futures Audited Financial Statements as at, and for the year ended, March 31, 2010.
http://www.haidagwaiifutures.ca/images/uploads/docs/11760%202010%20Signed%20FS.pdf
Our Auditor is Tonja Horne located in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Contact Us
Masset Office
- 1730 Hodges Avenue
- Mail: PO Box 40, Masset, B.C. V0T 1M0
- Phone: 250-626-5594 Toll free: 1-888-328-5594 Fax: 250-626-5693
- General Manager: Art Lew - extension 22 (Monday,Wednesday and Friday)
- Business & Loans Counselor: Skye Cantin - extension 24 (Fridays)
- Accounting: Joan Husband - extension 21 (Thursdays & Friday)
- Office Coordinator: Charley Jolley - extension 21 (Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays - 1 to 5 pm)
Skidegate Office
- Skidegate Mall
- Phone: 250-559-4499 Toll Free: 1-877-559-4499
- Business & Loans Counselor: Skye Cantin (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Queen Charlotte Office
- 101 Causeway Street
- Phone: 250-559-2343
- General Manager: Art Lew (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
