Attawapiskat launches camp service business

Attawapiskat Catering Limited Partnership has secured the contract for catering and operating services at the De Beers Canada Victor Mine near the community.
The catering company is a new venture for the community. It announced the deal Jan. 4.
“This is an exciting, positive development for our community,” said Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence. “Not only will the service company now be 100 per cent First Nation-owned and operated, but we have partnered with the forward-looking Outland Camps organization to bring in expertise and future training opportunities for employees.”
Victor Mine general manager Rory Greyvensteyn is happy with the agreement.
“The De Beers Canada Victor Mine is committed to responsible, sustainable development in the communities in which we operate,” he said. “Attawapiskat Catering is an example of the community, the mine and business working together to help our local partners reach their goals.”
The catering company has already met with employees of the firm which had been handling the service for De Beers. Those employees are being welcomed by Attawapiskat Catering, said Bob Dickson, CEO of Attawapiskat Resources Inc. and Attawapiskat Catering Limited Partnership.
“Clearly, a venture like this will provide long-term work for our members,” Dickson said. “It will all help maintain the good relationship we have with De Beers.”
Every effort is being made to ensure the transition to the new service provider is seamless, with little or no disruption to the operations at the mine, according to the catering company.
Should there exist a need to expand and bring in more staff, the catering company will continue the hiring approach already in place, drawing employees from surrounding communities.
Attawapiskat Catering will formally assumed the contract Feb. 2 and will be fully operational at that time.
Under the three-year deal, Attawapiskat Catering will also be responsible to monitor air and water quality, bringing in quality foods and fresh fruits and vegetables, waste water removal, incinerating waste and laundry at the 300-member Victor Mine camp.
“There are significant logistics involved in this agreement,” Dickson said.
Catering staff will be working on the same schedule as mine employees on a two weeks in, two weeks out basis.
“Staffing can be challenging,” Dickson said. “Leaving families behind for two weeks can be difficult. We have to prepare people for what to expect.”
Dickson is hopeful through the life of the contract, community members will pick up new skills and seek promotions to higher ranking positions.
He said a lot of band members are in maintenance positions.
The agreement with De Beers is just the start, Dickson said.
“We intend to bid on more contracts,” he said.
Added Steve Hookimaw, chairman of Attawapiskat Resources Inc.: “This model of full management and control is precisely the direction we are pursuing in ARI business ventures. We consider (the Jan. 4) announcement a stepping stone for more commercial enterprises we are planning in the future.”