BC First Nations build innovative partnerships – BiV

April 28, 2015

Aboriginal communities open routes to economic mainstream

It’s approaching noon, and a lunchtime crowd has Lelem’ Arts and Cultural Café buzzing. Even among the funky aggregation of cafés, restaurants and retail shops that make Fort Langley one of the most distinctive communities in British Columbia, Lelem’ stands out. It boasts an organic West Coast fusion menu, jazz nights and, on the walls, paintings, carvings and other artwork celebrating the heritage of the café’s owners – the Kwantlen First Nation.

Brenda Fernie and Tumia Knott arrive together, shake the rain from their overcoats, sit down and present business cards to a first-time customer at Lelem’. Fernie, a former operations director for Coast Mountain Bus Co., is director of operations for Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group, a for-profit enterprise of the 250-member Kwantlen First Nation. Knott, who has a law degree, is president, as well as a 20-year band councillor.

Read More: http://www.biv.com/article/2015/4/bc-first-nations-build-innovative-partnerships/