Pictured above: The Northern store in Sapotaweyak, MB
Our Community Promise
The North West Company Inc. is proud of the active role we play within the communities we serve, striving to make a positive, progressive difference. Our contributions within the community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, MB, are a testament to our commitment.
Sapotaweyak is located in west-central Manitoba, northeast of Swan River and along the south shore of Lake Winnipegosis. The town is primarily centered on either side of Shoal River.
The community is home to 810 residents (as per 2016 Census, Statistics Canada) where most of them are Cree but has a mixture of Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, Meti and Salteaux peoples’ languages. The community is accessible by air and road.
Did you know?
North West is proud of the positive impact we have on the community.
1. Employment: We are one of the most prominent employers in Sapotaweyak, with our Northern store employing 8 individuals. Our commitment to local talent is demonstrated through our workforce consisting of 100% Indigenous employees.*
2. Capital Investment: Northern has made a $244,395 capital investment in the Sapotaweyak store over a 10-year period.*
3. Annual Economic Impact: Northern is making a positive impact in Sapotaweyak, with $399,096 annual economic impact in the community.*
Sapotaweyak Northern Store Manager, Edwin Knott, and his team are significant community supporters.
“Sapotaweyak is a great community! Everyone in the community is very friendly and always offer us traditional foods. We also have been invited to go hunting – it was a great experience exploring their lands,” said Knott. “They have traditional gatherings every end of August where the community members go set up camp with tents and such, teaching and learning traditional ways of their culture. The school also has a program where they hire local hunters in the community to take the students camping and hunting – I think it’s awesome that the kids are learning at a young age on how to survive in the wild and provide for themselves in the future.”
*For the year ending 2020