NEDC 40th Anniversary

You are specially invited to NEDC’s 40^th Anniversary, November 7^th, 2024 @ 5pm. This special event will take place at the Tigh Na Mara Resort in Parksville, BC.

A Brief History of NEDC

The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) was established in 1984 to provide the Nuu-chah-nulth people with access to commercial financing and a stable lending environment. Its Board of Directors initially included one representative from each of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations and one from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Early investments featured significant projects such as the Nuu-chah-nulth Smokehouse Ltd. and the NTC Tree Seedling Nursery.

Over the years, strategic partnerships have enhanced NEDC’s ability to finance and support its clients, empowering entrepreneurs on their path to socio-economic independence. In November 1988, Al Little joined NEDC as the Southern Region Field Officer, later becoming General Manager in April 1996—a position he still holds. The organization has benefited from several key staff members who have remained long-term, contributing to its ongoing success.

Construction on NEDC’s building began in March 1999, with local contractors Les Sam (L. Sam Construction) and Cliff Braker (Braker Electric) overseeing the project. NEDC officially opened its new facility on September 22, 1999, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the late George Watts.

From its humble beginnings, NEDC has expanded its focus beyond the Nuu-chah-nulth community to support all Indigenous entrepreneurs with viable businesses on Vancouver Island. While the early years were dominated by start-ups, NEDC now fosters a diverse range of businesses, including expansions and acquisitions.

Tribute to George Watts (Ha-shilth-sa)

“George Watts was a pioneer in our community’s economic and business development. His leadership was characterized by extraordinary vision, focus, and determination, as well as transparency, accountability, respect, honor, and social equality. George advocated for the incorporation of NEDC to provide commercial financing to Nuu-chah-nulth entrepreneurs and to serve as a conduit for accessing and delivering government programs. His vision enabled NEDC to become one of the most successful Aboriginal Financial Institutions in Canada. George served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors from 1984 to 1989 and as Chairman of the Loan Review Committee from 1987 until his passing in 2005. His contributions laid the foundation for NEDC’s expansive reach across the island.”