Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 19/99) - For the first time in several years, the Metis-Dene Development Fund board of directors will be meeting outside of Yellowknife.

The development fund supports opportunities for creative, visionary Dene and Metis people. Operating since 1992, the board of directors is finally able to make an aggressive effort to get into the communities they serve, meet the people and promote their programs. It's something they haven't had the resources to do as often as they would have liked in the past.

"Previously, we've kept a low profile because of financial constraints. Those restraints aren't as prevalent so we're getting more aggressive and more active in the NWT communities," general manager, Keith Hamilton, said.

"We want to be sure that the Metis and Dene people know we're here and that we have resources available for them."

The development fund was originally promised $4 million from the federal government. After seven years of operation, they've received only $3 million.

The organization loans the money, anywhere from a few thousand to $250,000, to Dene and Metis people who wish to start their own businesses.

"We've had to make due with less than enough money to be profitable so we've been as economical as we could," Hamilton said.

Last year, they took over the Aboriginal Business Canada Grants and Contribution program. Hamilton said the grants and contributions are designed to help those aboriginal people who do not have access to capital by offering them a certain amount of money to get a business started. By taking the program over, the development fund also benefited.

"For us, what it means is we have enough operating money to ensure a secure future. We've heard the grant program criticized for being too focused on Yellowknife, so we're very interested in getting that program out into the communities as well," Hamilton said.

Other steps the board has taken to become more accessible include setting up a toll-free number, securing listings in six NWT community phonebooks, and preparing television commercials to promote their organization.

"It's symbolic to have meetings outside of Yellowknife. To us, it's an important statement to make that we're willing to spend money to get out, talk to the people and get a feeling about what their needs are," Hamilton said.

"We've issued more than 90 individual loans, totalling over $6 million. About two-thirds of our loan fund has been put to work outside of Yellowknife. We're going to show how important that is by getting our regionally represented board out into the communities as much as we can."

The board of directors meeting is May 6 in Fort Smith. Hamilton will be in Fort Smith and Hay River several days in advance of the meeting to allow existing and potential new clients of the loan fund to meet directly with him.

"I look forward to meeting with as many of our current clients as I can, and also to meet with anyone who may be interested in accessing our programs," Hamilton said.

For more information, contact the board office in Yellowknife.