The people associated with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation franchise will make every effort to ensure the success of this franchise both on and off the ice. The catalyst for this will be through the development of solid community support. We want to make our entire organization a true part of the community. We will strive to make a long lasting relationship for years to come. We know that the City of Thompson and our outlying communities will embrace Junior Hockey. Partnering with these communities will enhance the overall impact this franchise will have on the North. We will work with the existing hockey organizations to promote hockey development. We specifically want to work with the local Minor Hockey and AAA Midget executives to solidify their existing programs. We will also reach outside Thompson to our outlying communities and provide support where possible.
The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is located only 45 minutes north of the City of Thompson along the north shore of the Footprint Lake. The community is one of five First Nations whose community was affected by the hydro developments in the Nelson River System and is covered by the provisions of the North Flood Agreement. The community is signatory to the 1908 adhesion to Treaty #5 and our people speak both Cree and English. The community is home to nearly 2000 people with another 1800 members living off reserve and is fully accessible by a paved road and air. The community has a volunteer fire department and employs five band constables with assistance from the RCMP detachment in				Nelson House Northern Store
Thompson. A Health Care unit with an fully equipped Ambulance service is available. Our community facilities include, our administrative buildings, a community hall, NCN Housing Authority, Fannie Hart Medical Building, Family & Community Wellness Centre, Community Day Care, NCN Medicine Lodge, NCN Communications Corporation, Gaming Commision, Footprint Engineering, NCN Trust Office, the Gilbert McDonald arena, recreational facilities, personnel care home, pool hall, Northern Store, two gas stations and a very modern school with education housing for all the teachers. Economic activities include fishing, hunting, trapping, a service shop, forest industries, a Northern Store, logging, milling, taxi services, and Future Development office.
		NCN, along with Manitoba Hydro, is currently considering two hydro-electric development opportunities within the NCN Resource Management Area - the Wuskwatim Generating Station at Taskinigup Falls and the Notigi Generating Station near the Notigi Station Control Structure. Both projects would require new transmission lines to connect to the rest of Manitoba’s Hydro’s transmission system. The Wuskwatim Generating Station would also require a new access road in which the camp of approximately 400 employees will be situated. At present, it is anticipated that, when approved, construction of the proposed Wuskwatim Generating Station would begin in 2003, with an in-service date for the generating station of 2009. Construction of the Notgi Generating Station is not expected to start until 2009,
with the completion date in 2014. A signed agreement-in-principle(AIP) has been done with Manitoba Hydro. Under the AIP, NCN interest in the project(s) would be at least 25 per cent, with NCN and Hydro to consider increasing this amount, perhaps as high as 33 per cent. NCN has also expanded their economic development by purchasing the well-known Mystery Lake Hotel in the City of Thompson. The community has managed their 40 million dollar settlement with hydro under the Nelson House First Nation Trust Office. Of the dollars identified, 4 million dollars of interest funds is disbursed annually as the community sees fit through a community approval process that strives a better lifestyle for our people and facilitates sound economic practices.				Mystery Lake Hotel
The City of Thompson is Manitoba’s Third Largest City and is best known as the “Hub of the North”. It is a contemporary city located in the northern region of our province. The city is located 739 km (443 miles) from Winnipeg, which is only 136 km further than Winnipeg-The Pas. The city is accessible by a fully paved and well maintained highway, three air services and railway (VIA train service from Winnipeg-The Pas to Churchill). (Please see Appendix 10.1 for Map of our Province & 10.2 Mileage Chart) The giant mining company, INCO, carved this Northern City. The company discovered the second largest Nickel ore body during the late 1950's, resulting in Canada’s first fully integrated nickel mining and processing company. The Mine currently leads the world Nickel Market in sales and exploration.				The City Of Thompson
INCO		Since then, Thompson has grown into a thriving community with close to 15,000 people. The city has seventeen churches, five shopping malls, over twenty-five(25) restaurants and food services, six hotels/motels with many other facilities to hold guests, a fully licenced and top notch golf course, Safeway & Giant Tiger Food Store, Canadian Tire, Walmart, Men’s Work Warehouse, McDonald’s, A&W, KFC Restaurants, Ford, GM & Chrysler Dealerships, many gas stations and a regional Hospital. Grey Goose bus lines operates a Northern Office in Thompson, which offers daily and weekly bus services. It also provides bus tours and charter services throughout the province.
There are five elementary schools that service the city with a high school that occupies 1,200 students from the city and surrounding area. Students come into the city from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Split Lake, Wabowden, Oxford House, Gilliam, and further north including other jurisdiction that fall under the umbrella of Keewatin Tribal Council and Frontier School Division. There are many great reasons to visit and live in Thompson, a few highlights of some main attractions include: Pisew Falls: Manitoba’s highest road accessible water falls. A five minute board-walk leads one to an outlook platform overlooking the spectacular falls. Pisew Falls are located between Thompson and Wabowden.				Pisew Falls
Norplex Swimming Pool		Fishing & Hunting: Nothing compares to the potential of cold northern water that comes to landing the “big one.” One can fish for Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Bass, and Lake Trout. The northern Boreal forest is also second to none when it comes to game hunting. Black Bear, Moose, Grouse, Caribou, various birds and numerous mammals are all plentiful in the Thompson area. Every spring countless Americans make their way to our region to experience what fishing and hunting is all about. Mystery Mountain Winter Park: Experience the best skiing in the north and one of Manitoba’s best kept secrets with 18 runs including glade runs, two poma lifts and two tow ropes. A full service 4,000 square foot chalet with a large view licensed lounge, ski shop, first aid quarters and a ski school for instructions. There are also 25 km of groomed cross country skiing trails that
begin and end at the chalet. Mystery mountain Park is open mid November until mid April and is located just 22 km from the city. Recreation: Visitors and residents alike, can enjoy such activities as badminton and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, bowling alley, basketball courts, curling rink, stock racing, indoor Olympic size swimming pool & slide with a weight room on deck, racquet ball and squash courts. Festivals and Events: The Thompson Nickel Days event takes place during the third weekend in June of every year. Other events include; Winterfest during the second week in February, Northern Pike Fishing Derby in June, CHTM Trade Show in May, Annual Women’s and Men’s Curling Bonspiel in March and April, and the historic Munn Cup Easter Week.				C.A. Nesbitt Arena Inside The C.A. Nesbitt Arena
The Gilbert McDonald Arena, located in the community of NCN, was completed and operational in 1990. The ice surface is modern in style with dimensions of 85' x 200', with the penalty/timekeepers box in the middle of the two player benches. The new clock is located on top of the zamboni entrance at the east end of the facility. A press box is located in the middle of the facility on the opposite side of the boxes. Fans also have the opportunity to stay in the lobby and watch games from the bleacher area. The washroom facilities are rated to accommodate up to 1,000 fans comfortably. A mezzanine is located above the lobby area for office use and common area for watching. The Recreation Department presently occupies the office space in the facility.				Gilbert McDonald Arena