Minister of Industry Announces Appointments to the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board
OTTAWA, May 17 2001 -- The Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry, today announced the appointment of Chief Misel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation at Conne River, Newfoundland, and Micheline L'Espérance-Labelle of Montreal, Quebec, to the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board.
"Chief Misel Joe and Micheline L'Espérance-Labelle have earned their places as community and business leaders," said Minister Tobin. "These appointments bring unique expertise and vision to the Board's work of exploring innovative and effective approaches to Aboriginal economic development."
"Chief Joe's and Micheline L'Espérance-Labelle's experience and perspective make them excellent choices," said Chief Roy Whitney, Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. "They will be valuable additions to the Board and I look forward to working with them.
" In 1983, Chief Misel Joe was elected traditional Chief and in 1994 was elected traditional and administrative Chief of the Miawpukek (Mi'kmaq) First Nation in Newfoundland. Chief Joe is on the Executive Council, the All Chiefs Council and the Economic Opportunities Fund of the Atlantic Policy Congress. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the First Nations Trust Fund and is a member of the Central Newfoundland University Committee. He has received widespread recognition for his work with native medicines and traditional healing practices.
Ms. L'Espérance-Labelle is a member of the Montagnais Nation. A pioneer in multimedia, she is the President and Chief Executive Officer of International Boutiques Web (IBWeb), a leading Aboriginal business recognized as a leader in e-commerce. The site (http://www.webtamtam.com) offers Indian, Métis and Inuit-related goods and services as well as promotes Aboriginal cultures to consumers around the world. The business also aims at supplying Aboriginal peoples with goods and services at reduced cost. Previously, Ms. L'Espérance-Labelle founded Distribution internationale de logiciels (DIL), the first publisher and distributor of French language software in Canada, which has since been sold to Quebecor, and served as the company's President. She has also designed, authored and published teaching software that has been distributed in 22 countries.
Ms. L'Espérance-Labelle has been President of the Boards of Directors of the Canadian Association of Courseware Producers and the Quebec Consortium of Software Exports. In addition, she sat on the Boards of Directors of the Forum des inforoutes et du multimédia, and the Société pour la promotion de la science et de la technologie. In 1998, Ms. L'Espérance-Labelle was awarded the Mishtapew Award for creation of a new business by the First Peoples' Business Association. In 1996, she received a Certificate of Merit at the Nouveau salon des femmes presented by the Businesswomen Association of Quebec.
The National Aboriginal Economic Development Board consists of up to 20 private sector members, the majority of whom are of Aboriginal heritage. The Board works with Industry Canada through Aboriginal Business Canada to promote the growth of the Aboriginal businesses under the strategic priorities of Innovation, Trade and Market Expansion (including Aboriginal Tourism), Youth Entrepreneurship; and Strengthening Aboriginal Business and Financial Organizations. The Board also advises the Government of Canada on other matters related to Aboriginal economic development.
For more information, please contact:
Heidi Bonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001