ISO9001:2000 runs native

Nic Name · 01-31-2002, 12:03 AM

Mi'kmaq band wins ISO certification

By KEVIN COX

Globe and Mail Update

Wednesday, January 30 – Online Edition, Posted at 5:08 PM EST

A Cape Breton Mi'kmaq band hopes that becoming the first native government in North America to achieve ISO9001:2000 certification will open corporate doors and create jobs.

The band announced Wednesday that it has met the internationally recognized quality-assurance standards for financial management and decision-making and is eager to use the certification to attract businesses for joint ventures.

"Now that we have ISO9001:2000 most of them (prospective businesses) will know we have top management, quality assurance and professional systems in place and they can feel safe doing business with us," Bernd Christmas, chief executive officer for the Membertou First Nation said in an interview this afternoon.

He said the band of 1,000 people is already involved in joint ventures in the fishery and mining projects and is anxious to get contracts in the burgeoning oil and gas exploration industry.

He said that as word gets out about the designation other bands across Canada are approaching Membertou for assistance in setting up their financial management systems.

The move comes as many bands across Canada are under scrutiny by auditors from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development over allegations of fiscal mismanagement.

"We didn't want to be painted with the same brush and the government of Membertou takes pride in running their operation as a business," Mr. Christmas, who spent several years as a Bay Street lawyer before returning to Membertou in 1995, said.

The band's 14 months of work to get the ISO certification was praised by Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault, who said the Membertou band was a leader among First Nations for establishing high standards of governance and financial management.

[The only remaining question is whether Arthur Andersen will audit Mi'kmaq blackjack.]

jaguar · 01-31-2002, 01:27 AM

band?
as in music band?
what the hell?

:whofarted

thanks for the new faces UT

01-31-2002, 12:03 AM	#1
Nic Name retired Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,930	ISO9001:2000 runs native Mi'kmaq band wins ISO certification By KEVIN COX Globe and Mail Update Wednesday, January 30 – Online Edition, Posted at 5:08 PM EST A Cape Breton Mi'kmaq band hopes that becoming the first native government in North America to achieve ISO9001:2000 certification will open corporate doors and create jobs. The band announced Wednesday that it has met the internationally recognized quality-assurance standards for financial management and decision-making and is eager to use the certification to attract businesses for joint ventures. "Now that we have ISO9001:2000 most of them (prospective businesses) will know we have top management, quality assurance and professional systems in place and they can feel safe doing business with us," Bernd Christmas, chief executive officer for the Membertou First Nation said in an interview this afternoon. He said the band of 1,000 people is already involved in joint ventures in the fishery and mining projects and is anxious to get contracts in the burgeoning oil and gas exploration industry. He said that as word gets out about the designation other bands across Canada are approaching Membertou for assistance in setting up their financial management systems. The move comes as many bands across Canada are under scrutiny by auditors from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development over allegations of fiscal mismanagement. "We didn't want to be painted with the same brush and the government of Membertou takes pride in running their operation as a business," Mr. Christmas, who spent several years as a Bay Street lawyer before returning to Membertou in 1995, said. The band's 14 months of work to get the ISO certification was praised by Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault, who said the Membertou band was a leader among First Nations for establishing high standards of governance and financial management. [The only remaining question is whether Arthur Andersen will audit Mi'kmaq blackjack.]

01-31-2002, 01:27 AM	#2
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	band? as in music band? what the hell? :whofarted thanks for the new faces UT __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

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