Photo Credit: JLH3Photography VOLUME 4: WINTER 2015

LETTER NEWS

CREEWEST

In this Issue:

P.3 Marketing / Projects: Willy Metat

P.4 Joint Ventures

P.5 JV: Spotlight Profile of the Month

P.6 Northern Skies Air Services &

Northern Airborne Maintenance

P.7 Mushkegowuk Annual Assembly

P.8 Employee Profile: Jordan Lysak

P.9 Ojibway & Cree Cultural Centre

P.10 Education Matters

P.11 CreeWest First Nation Education

Award

P.12 Community First

P.13 Community Success

P.14 Rosary Spence sings the National

Anthem

P.15 Board of Directors

Willy Metat joined our crew as a casual employee on April 2, 2014 as Assistant / Projects. He was then was promoted as Mar-keting / Projects on a full time basis on January 26, 2015. He has over 3 years experience in organizing events within the Timmins area. His skills include marketing, projects coordination, business development and numb chucks. If you would like to contribute a story or news article to our news-letter, please email Willy Metat @ willy.metat@creewest.ca

Wacheya. I would like to take this time to introduce myself and thank you for reading our Newsletter.

My name is Willy Metat from an iso-lated community called Fort Albany First Nation. The community is lo-cated on Sinclair and Anderson’s Island on the Albany River. It can be accessible via water and air trav-el during the summer months and has a winter road connecting to Moosonee and other near by com-munities during the winter months.

I currently reside in Timmins ON which is approximately 404 km south of Albany. There, I work as Marketing / Projects for CreeWest GP Inc. where I work on their news-letter and other marketing material.

I started working for CreeWest in April 2014 as a casual employee. Most of my time was spent at home with my newborn, Ember Metat (She is now a one year old who makes more of a mess than her mother). I stayed at home on EI for a good 8 memorable months before getting back into the work force.

As of January 26, 2015, I am a full time employee for CreeWest.

Since my start date with CreeWest, I have learnt so much about the avi-ation industry. CreeWest has seen so much growth in the past two years alone. We have come a long way from our one office in Timmins with two employees. We now have a newly acquired hanger in Sioux Lookout with two new air crafts. We have also acquired the shares and assets to both Northern Skies Air Services and Northern Airborne Maintenance. Both companies are now a division of CreeWest LP.

CreeWest still has a lot of room for growth in the future. We have our aim set for success and will contin-ue to move forward. We take pride in serving our clients and share holders. I would like to thank our community ownerships Weenusk FN, Kashechewan FN, Fort Albany FN and Attawapiskat FN. And thank you for taking the time to review our newsletter.

Willy Metat

P.3

Marketing / Projects: Willy Metat

CreeWest along with our present Joint Venture with Air Creebec that is now going into its 7th

year, CreeWest has diversified and expanded into “Joint Venture” agreements with Logikal

Code, Winmar Restorations Timmins, McCabe Promotional products and WiskAir Helicop-

ters, recognizing the potential for business opportunities for all parties.

With our JV partners being specialists in their field of work, they also realise to grow their

business and open up doors for more opportunities, joint venturing with a First Nations Re-

gional Organization would certainly assist this opportunity along.

CreeWest recognizes that these joint ventures will have its share of benefits as well for the

Limited Partnership communities consisting of Peawanuck (Weenusk), Attawapiskat, Fort

Albany and Kashechewan in agreement on sales promoted and obtained due to the Joint

Venture. CreeWest has diversified and expanded into these “Joint Venture” agreements

recognizing the potential for business opportunities for all parties.

Joint Ventures

P.4

CREEWEST

P.7

Joint Venture Partner:

Spotlight Profile of the Month!

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

Wisk Air is fully

equipped with a varie-

ty of rotary wing air-

craft that can operate

anywhere in Canada.

With thousands of

hours of flying and

over 33 years of expe-

rience within Northern

Ontario, Wisk Air is

known for profession-

alism and dedication

by providing premiere

quality services to in-

dustrial clients within

the region and

throughout Canada.

Visit their website at:

www.wiskair.com

Wisk Air Helicopters has joined CreeWest in a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and

joint venture to provide rotary services to north-

ern First Nations, including CreeWest’s four

ownership First Nation communities along the

James Bay and Hudson’s Bay Coast.

President of Wisk Air, Mark Wiskmann, under-

stands that this partnership will not only help

their company grow, but will also help

CreeWest’s ownership communities become

more self sufficient.

“We seek to engage and support these First

Nations in order to bring prosperity to these

communities,” Wiskmann says.

They are fully equipped with a variety of rotary

wing aircrafts that can operate anywhere in

Canada. Their helicopters include Bell 206LR,

Bell 206L3 and a Bell 407.

Services include:

P.5

General Charters Forestry Services

Aerial Tour

VIP Transportation

Forest Fires

Heli-Torch

Aerial Construction Specialty Services

Hydro Lines

Drill Moves

Remote Exploration

Heli-Claw

Aerial Photography

“We strive to deliver re-spectful, transparent services to First Na-

tions, and realize they are a vital component to the management

and development of all projects in their region.”

Mark Wiskemann President, Wisk Air

Photo: wiskair.com

In the Last year, CreeWest final-ized the acquisitions of Northern Skies Air Service and Northern Airborne Maintenance. Both now “Divisions” of CreeWest. CreeWest with NSAS & NAM employ approx. 13 staff at our Sioux Lookout Base of opera-tions. December 6th the Staff Christmas Party was held for both companies at Dick & Nellies Restaurant in Sioux Lookout.

The picture shows our staff of Aircraft engineers, Pilots, and Administration along with guests enjoying the Festivities.

P.6 CREEWEST

C-GCTH & C-GMOB (Sister & Brother) up in Red Lake No-vember 27 on Tikinagan Child & Family Services Charters

Northern Skies Air Services &

Northern Air Borne Maintenance

Introducing: Northern Airborne Maintenance new logo

The new logo was created and designed by Logikal Code (a Joint Venture Partner) with the guidance

of CreeWest. This logo was created to look very similar to the Northern Skies logo to provide a con-

sistency among both companies. The two companies are both owned and operated by CreeWest LP.

Before After

Mamowihitowin of the Omushkego

The Mushkegowuk Council held its 29th Mamowihitowin of the Omushkego (Annual General Assembly) in Kasheche-

wan First Nation from January 26-28, 2015. The event was held to collectively address issues relating to the communi-ties within Mushkegowuk territory such as health, education, housing, and economic development. It was also a place for the Mushkegowuk and other companies and organiza-tions to quickly report their activities. CreeWest was honoured to be invited to attend this great event.

CreeWest had the oppor-tunity to present the Mush-kegowuk Council of its busi-ness activities on January 28. Ron Basaraba, along with Mike Metatawabin, Hosea Wesley and Willy Metat sat on the panel to repre-sent CreeWest and its group of compa-nies.

“October 16, 2013 saw the deals closed and finalized with the acquisitions of Sioux Lookout Hangar, Chieftain Navajo PA-31 350 aircraft and the shares of Northern Skies Air Service which is now a Division of CreeWest LP.” says Ron Basaraba as he speaks at the AGA.

“Hangar Renovations Started in Novem-ber 2013 and completed Introducing a new passenger lobby and crew accom-modations mid- April 2014.”

“As well August 1, 2014 saw the deal close on the purchase of Northern Air-borne Maintenance which is now another division of CreeWest”

Ron continues saying, “Mid-April 2014 Northern Skies Air Service (a division of CreeWest) started flight operations in Charter and Cargo work. At this time we also started generating revenue with rental tenants in the hangar from the Sioux Lookout base.”

“November 2014 Northern Skies Air Service (a division of CreeWest) added a second Navajo aircraft to its fleet to ac-commodate the increased work load and demand for air charter services out of the Sioux Look-

out base of operations.”

“CreeWest and its two division companies employ 15 staff. 1 year ago we only had two staff. We are now officially an airline with our own Transport Canada Operating Certificate presently operating 2 Navajo PA-31 aircraft. We run a fully operational aircraft maintenance base for fixed wing wheeled aircraft as well as float opera-tions aircraft and are licensed and equipped for aircraft structural repair.”

P.7

Photo: Kashechewan

First Nation

“CreeWest and

its two division

companies em-

ploy 15 staff. 1

year ago we only

had two staff”

Ron Basaraba

Jordan Lysak: Captain

“My career allows me to see places and people that not everyone

gets to witness or even be educated about”

Employee Profile: Jordan Lysak

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

“I love the outdoors and Sioux

Lookout is the perfect venue for

that. Hunting, fishing, camping,

boating, hiking, most sports; it's all

available here.”

- Jordan Lysak

Jordan Lysak is a pilot for

Northern Skies Air Services

based out of Sioux Lookout

ON. He started in August of

2014.

“I chose CreeWest because a

few friends in the industry had

told me about this new up-and

-coming company (Northern

Skies) that would be a great

opportunity to advance my ca-

reer” Jordan says in our inter-

view.

“When I was younger, I was

very fortunate to be taken on

many trips with my parents

that required air travel.”

Jordan went to school at Con-

federation College in Thunder

Bay and graduated from the

Aviation Flight Management

Program in 2011.

He continues to say “My par-

ents got me a framed certifi-

cate from the first airline flight I

took when I was four years

old. Fifteen years later to the

day I received my commercial

pilots licence.”

I asked Jordan what is the

best thing about his career, he

responded by saying “I'm a

people person and love to

meet new people everyday.

My career allows me to see

places and people that not

everyone gets to witness or

even be educated about. Be-

yond that some perks are of-

fered in the industry to travel

at discounted rates, allowing

me to see the world”

P.8

CREEWEST

Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre:

Our Culture, Our Traditions, Our Language Shall Survive

Historical Notes on Weenusk

WWW.OCCC.CA

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

The Ojibway and Cree Cultural Cen-

tre is a non-profit organization that

was established in 1975 under the

direction of Grand Council Treaty #9,

now known as the Nishnawbe Aski

Nation (NAN). The Centre is funded

through Indian and Northern Affairs

Canada (INAC) Cultural Education

Centres program. The Centre is man-

aged by a board of directors who rep-

resent each Tribal Council area of the

NAN territory.

Contact Details

150 Brousseau Avenue, Unit B

Timmins, ON

P4N 5Y4

Tel:(705) 267-7911

Fax:(705)267-4988

In 1986, the community was

forced to move from Winisk

(mouth of Winisk River) near

Hudson due to

ice and flood-

ing that de-

stroyed the

whole commu-

nity. Hudson

Bay Co. trad-

ing post and

Roman Catho-

lic Church (RC

mission) Mis-

sionary out-

posts where

the first hous-

ing accommodations to be build

in the area during the fur trading

days. Peawanuck (AKA

Weeusk) is the additional re-

serve land and its separate from

the WN Reserve #90 located at

Asheweig junction. Like Pea-

wanuck, Asheweig is a name of

a place, not a name of a river.

Peawanuck

and Asheweig

existed before

European

contact. The

former com-

munity of

Winisk was

located 32 km

downstream

on a flood

zone. The re-

location of

Peawanuck

took place after another major

flood at Winisk on May 16, 1986.

P.9

About the OCCC

Great Study Habits

don’t come Easily

Some people believe that suc-

cessful students are just born

that way. That they get good

grades and know exactly how to

do things in class. That is not the

case at all. We all have that abil-

ity to be completely focused on

a single task. The assignment is

going to be done only when you

choose it to be done. The hard-

est part is getting into the mo-

tion of studying is actually sitting

down and telling yourself “now

is the time”. Once you get that

out of the way, you then have to

develop work habits for school

and studying. Here are two

items to becoming a better stu-

dent.

Choose the right Environment:

When it comes to studying or

working on that big project

that’s worth 25% of your final

grade, one of the most im-

portant things for you to do is

focus. This means getting rid of

all distractions. One of the first

things to do is to find a place to

study. Some people enjoy music

while studying, but I personally

hate it. I like to find a nice quiet

place where I can focus on the

reading at hand. That means

going to the library, locking

yourself into a room, going to

one of the college’s study rooms

or even locking yourself into a

car! By all means, find that area.

Another thing to consider is to

only have what you really need

to study. Are you going to be

checking your phone every five

minutes to see if your photo got

two more ‘likes’? Maybe you

want to tweet “studying really

hard today.

#okforsurethisismylasttweet”.

Get rid of the phone if it’s not

needed. Only bring what is really

needed. For example, when I

had to study accounting, the

only items I brought with me

was my accounting book, a note-

pad and a pen. That is all. Laptop

closed, phone is off.

Right state of mind:

This means becoming passionate

about what you do. Finding that

love for work. Once you love

what you do, it won’t seem like

work at all. It will not feel like a

task but rather an enjoyment.

Become a fanatic about what

you’re studying. Let the joy of

learning become the spark that

really gets the juices flowing.

Allow yourself to become what

you study. This is for you or

whoever you’re doing it for.

Also, always have your goal in

mind. Write it down on a piece

of paper and read it every time

you get the chance. Read it once

when you wake, a couple of

times during the day, and once

before you go to sleep. This goal

can be written down on any

piece of paper. What should you

write on that paper? Write what

your heart wants. For example,

write “I’m in school to make

more money for my future”, or

“My dream is to become the

best at my field.” or even “I’m

going to get this degree so that

my children can have a better

life than I had at their age.”

Write down your goal. Remind

yourself constantly and always

believe you can achieve it. Your

goal is to finish school, but the

fuel to get there comes from

your belief system.

In conclusion, I’d like you to fol-

low Nike’s advice and “Just Do

It”. Don’t take your time for last

minute studying. Make it hap-

pen now. Work on that assign-

ment. Get your reading out of

the way right now. Make it ur-

gent! Set your own deadlines

and follow them. Become a fa-

natic in your area and every-

thing you want will come knock-

ing at your door.

Happy studies.

Education Matters “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

CreeWest First Na-

tion Education award

Priscilla Nakoochee was selected

from our CreeWest bursary award

committee as the winner of a $500

bursary in September 2014.

Each year, four students are

picked (one student from

Weenusk, Kashechewan, Fort Al-

bany and Attawapiskat) to receive

this award. The bursary can be

used towards tuition, textbooks,

supplies and living expenses.

Don’t miss out on this great oppor-

tunity.

Call Tanya Smalls at 705-268-

2733 for more information.

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

P.10

“Someone is sitting in

the shade today be-

cause someone plant-

ed a tree a long time

ago.”

Warren Buffett

CREEWEST

Attawapiskat • Fort Albany • Kashechewan • Peawanuck

Attawapiskat • Fort Albany • Kashechewan • Peawanuck

CreeWest First Nation Education Award

CreeWest is commit-

ted to supporting

First

Nation post-

secondary educa-

tion. To this end, we

have created the

CreeWest First Na-

tion Education

Award.

Eligible First Nation

students entering or

currently undertaking

their post-secondary

education can apply

for one of four edu-

cation awards.

www.creewest.ca

CreeWest First Nation

Education Award Dear Student,

The CreeWest First Nation Education Award was launched to assist First Nation students to complete post-secondary education, and provide an opportunity for CreeWest to strengthen its relationship with our shareholder communities. Selected students are awarded up to $500 to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies and living expenses.

We award four scholarships annually for students majoring in disciplines related to Busi-ness Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Commerce, and Aviation. One scholarship is awarded to each of our four First Nation shareholder communities (Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, and Peawanuck) on an annual basis.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible to apply to the CreeWest First Nation Education Award Program if you meet these criteria:

You are a member of the Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, or Weenusk First Nations

You have been accepted to or are currently attending an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada

You maintain a full course load that leads to a recognized degree, certificate or diplo-ma

You require financial assistance to pursue your education

If you are already receiving partial funding from other sources, you may still apply to the CreeWest First Nation Education Award to cover additional educational expenses.

How to apply

Please send your completed application by August 15th for the Fall Semester and Janu-

ary 9th for the Winter Semester to the address below. Do not submit more than one

application per year.

Postal Mail Fax

CreeWest GP Inc. You may fax your application to (705) 268-2737. P.O. Box 248 Faxed applications must be followed up with an Moose Factory, ON original by postal mail. P0L 1W0 E-mail

Applicants may submit their application by e-mail. However, it is incumbent upon the applicant to ensure receipt of their application.

Applications can be addressed to: tanya.small@creewest.ca

If you think this program is for you, we welcome your application.

For more information, please contact Tanya Small at:

(705) 658-2110 or tanya.small@creewest.ca

Community First

Santa Claus makes a quick visit to Weenusk First Nation on

December 19, 2014.

Santa Claus landing in Weenusk

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

Upper Photo:

After handing out gifts, Santa

takes a group photo

Lower Photo:

Willy and his daughter, Ember, sit

together as he hands her a gift.

She had no idea who he was.

Santa Claus visited Weenusk

First Nation this past holiday

season. He went to the local

Ma-Tah-Ha-Mao school to

hand out gifts to the children

of Weenusk.

The children all cheered as

Santa Claus entered the gym

holding his bag of gifts and

jingle bells.

Micheline Hunter, Healthy Ba-

bies Healthy Children worker

in Weenusk First Nation, co-

ordinated and hosted this

great event with donations

from Weenusk First Nation

and partial donations from

Evelyn Turner.

As she called out the names

of the children, you can see

the smiles on their faces.

“The smiles alone made this

trip worth while” says Santa.

Before leaving Weenusk,

Santa made another stop at

their community hall to hand

out another bag of gifts.

“Although this audience was

a little older, they still had an

amazing time.” says Mr.

Claus.

Overall, it was great to have

Santa Claus visit the children

of Weenusk First Nation.

“It was amazing to see the

excited smiles and faces of

joy as I entered the school

gym. You could hear the chil-

dren quite down as I started

ringing the jingle bells and

slowly making my way to the

gym. It was the highlight of

my visit to Weenusk.” says

Santa AKA Willy Metat

P.12

Community Success

“I accepted the past and never looked back just kept moving forward because there’s

nothing there for me anymore. Today I am at peace with myself.” Bernice Scott

P.13

Bernice Scott, a community member of

Fort Albany First Nation, has come a long

way in her own personal development.

She has, like many people in reserves,

been dealing with an alcohol problem that

has not only affected herself, but has also

affected her family and friends. She has

been through both physical and mental

abuse as a result of her addiction. Dealing

with alcohol in her twenties became un-

manageable, and at times, overwhelming.

“I was so lost and confused” Bernice says.

“but something, someone was watching

over me and showed me that I have a

purpose on this earth today and that it’s to

help people who are going through what

I’ve gone through.”

A mother of four children and one grand-

child, she had decided to change this for

the better. Seeking treatment was one of

her first options but it didn’t work at times

saying that she felt that she wasn’t ready.

She goes on to say that one of her siblings

and his friend had both encouraged her to

live a healthier life style. They invited her

to join them in a sweat lodge and she ac-

cepted. Although she still had a drinking

problem following the initial sweat lodge,

she stayed committed to change. Bernice

continued to pursue ceremonies such as

sweat lodges, fasting, and the yearly sun-

dance.

“I saw them living a good life and being

happy” Bernice says, “I was so grateful

that my bro and friend introduced me to

these ceremonies. They were there for me

by being supportive. And I also started go-

ing for long walks to have that peace of

mind because quitting my addiction was

very hard because it stayed with me for a

long time. That’s all I knew. That awful un-

healthy life I lived was hell. And today I am

happy. I am healthy. I have learned to let

go and let god. I have learned to forgive

those people that did me wrong.”

“Today, I can say that my life is great and

I am happy and grateful for everything

that I have accomplished.” Bernice has

been sober for 27 months. Lost 45

pounds. Started her fitness journey two

years ago. She eats healthier and drinks

6 to 8 glasses of water a day. She has

been 3 months smoke free. And lastly,

she is now taking academic upgrading to

go to college and become a social work-

er.

She continues to say, “I did this for my

children and grandson. They are my life.

They are very proud of me today. They

see me as a role model. They are following

in my footsteps. They want to eat healthier

and exercise.”

“I am a whole different person today. I am understanding, forgiving, caring, kind, hon-est and a better mom and grandma. I am still growing and learning every single day! I still have my bad days and good days. No one is perfect. We’re human. Just trying to be better than I was before. I am grateful to still have my life and children today.”

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

Rosary Spence sings the National Anthem

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business held its 17th

Annual Toronto Gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

CCAB’s 17th Annual Toronto Gala

On February 3, 2015, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

(CCAB) hosted their 17th Annual Toronto Gala honouring their 2015

Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

Upper Photo:

Rosary Spence sings her heart

out to the National Anthem.

Lower Photo:

Rosary Spence and Kendal Net-

maker pose for the cameras dur-

ing the VIP networking sesson.

Kendal Netmaker, founder and

CEO of Neechie Gear, received the

National Youth Entrepreneur Award

for his business excellence.

CCAB posted via Facebook “We

are proud to celebrate Kendal’s en-

trepreneurial spirit, his tremendous

success, and his inspiring story.”

They also posted a video promoting

the award and showcasing Neechie

Gear and its social considerations.

“Neechie Gear gives back every

quarter of the year. Every quarter

we evaluate our sales and our prof-

its and then we take 5% of our net

profit and give either to a local char-

ity or to people who have applied

through us and so on. So we distrib-

ute it based on that.”

To read Kendal’s inspiring story, go

to http://www.neechiegear.com/

pages/our-story

Rosary Spence, from Fort Albany

First Nation, was also in attendance

at the Gala.

She sang our National Anthem in a

room full of quiet listeners. You can

hear the room become silent as her

voice started to echo throughout the

gala. She did an amazing job.

Rosary is a well recognized Indige-

nous singer. She has performed at

public events such as the

ImagineNative Film Festival, Planet

IndigenUS, and World Pride, as an

opening act for various events and

conferences, and has also per-

formed as a special guest at private

functions.

Her most recent album was a col-

laboration album with various artists

titled “Woman’s Voices for Atta-

wapiskat”

View Rosary’s full bio:

http://www.rosaryspence.com/

P.14

Photo: CCAB’s Facebook page

CREEWEST Limited Partnership

Northern Skies Air Service

&

Northern Airborne Maintenance

Board of Directors:

Chair - Michael Fox (Weenusk)

Vice Chair - Ignace Gull (Attawapiskat)

Director - Hosea Wesley (Kashechewan)

Director - Michael Knapaysweet (Fort Albany)

Secretary Treasure - Tanya Small

(office and Finance Manager)

Board Advisor - Mike Metatawabin

Board Advisor - Pat Chilton

Chief Executive Officer - Ron Basaraba

Contact Us CreeWest Limited Part-

nership

P.O. Box 248

Moose Factory, ON.

P0L 1W0

PHONE:

(705) 658-2110

TOLL-FREE:

(888) 658-2110

TIMMINS OFFICE:

(705) 268-2733

FAX:

(705) 268-2737

WWW.CREEWEST.CA

CREEWEST

P.15

Limited Partnership

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook

/CreeWest GP Inc.

Advertise with CreeWest!

Take advantage of this great opportunity to advertise your

company or organization with our ever growing audience!

Help us help you reach your target market with our news-

letter and together, we can change the world!

Email willy.metat@creewest.ca for details on our highly

competitive rates and to book advertising space. Don’t miss

out on this huge opportunity to get noticed and contact us

today!