About Us
Our organization was federally incorporated in December 1987. Our first office was located on Main St. in Kenora but our head address has always remained at Washagmis Bay or what is known today as Obashkaandagaang. Kakina Economic Development Corporation, a company owned by our organization, acquired the 598 and 580 Lakeview Drive properties in 1989, which remains our office to this day.
Our name Bimose comes from the Anishinaabe word “to walk” and was given to us by an elder as a reminder to “always walk with all our Member First Nations”. This is reflected in our vision statement. Our office at 598 Lakeview Drive serves as a sacred location as well. The building is a sacred lodge, and through elder direction and teachings is kept by our Executive Director. These teachings and directions that we have received by elders throughout the years have been incorporated into our mandate, mission and vision statements.
Our Tribal Council is owned and directed by 10 Anishinaabe communities in Northwestern Ontario:
Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation, Eagle Lake First Nation, Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation, Lac des Mill Lacs First Nation, Obashkaandagaang First Nation, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Wabauskang First Nation, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
A Message from the Executive Director:
The Anishinaabe Student Success program continues to provide support to community schools tin student success, information technology and in language and culture. The Education Services Coordinator is reaching out to communities to complete work plans for the First Nations Student Success Program in order to work towards the planned transition of this program to the community level.
At the Bimose Tribal Council Administration side, membership services are being enhanced with status card services being delivered. Finance is planning to visit communities in the New Year to provide advisory services and guidance for community finance staff. Providing capacity development services to communities in accounting and financial management is a demand that continues to exist. We are committed to enhancing this support to communities. Economic Development continues to oversee Kakina LP, Makwa, and Kakina. Services provided to communities include assistance and guidance with proposals to various funders for economic development projects and assistance with economic development planning. The Economic Development Advisor continues to seek out for new opportunities for Bimose.
At the foundation of all that we do is our ceremony, traditions and Anishinaabemowin language. Our traditional knowledge-keepers of the communities provide critical guidance and direction in our cultural protocol by conducting fall and spring feasts; opening and closing Board meetings; and holding naming ceremonies for traditional items and of buildings for our facilities. As some of our employees may not have been exposed to teachings and culture, Core Bimose staff will also be participating in mandatory language cultural training on a regular basis to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our history, traditions, and protocol.
As we are about to come into a new year, we continue to work together as Anishinaabe people to better the lives of our community members. We look forward to continued guidance and support from community Chiefs and Council in delivering support services to community staff and membership.
Miigwech
