In 1995, Membertou was operating on a $4 million budget with a $1 million operating deficit and had only 37 employees on staff. The community was poor with low morale and suffered from a high unemployment rate. Membertou decided it could not continue this way any longer; it was time for major changes. Membertou’s Chief and Council started recruiting individuals who were employed in professional disciplines such as law, marketing, finance and business, with special emphasis on enlisting community members of Membertou. With its new leadership established, financial records stable and major improvements made in its capital and resources, Membertou opened the Membertou Corporate Division in the fall of 2000 at Purdy’s Wharf in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. Membertou was able to position itself to play a more aggressive role in the business world with a goal of generating revenue. This would allow them to become more self-sufficient while lowering its dependence on federal subsidization. To achieve its goal, four main strategies were emphasized: Increase Membertou’s business profile with other major companies by launching its first corporate office. Establish new economic development while keeping in mind the indigenous knowledge based on principles of: conservation, sustainability of resources and respect for land, air and water. Create business partnerships. Initiate proactive education and career-related training programs for Membertou’s citizens in order to capitalize on employment opportunities resulting from newly established business partnerships and initiatives. In the fall of 2002 the Membertou Corporate Division opened a second corporate office in Membertou. This office is now located in the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. In January 2002, Membertou received official notification of its International Organization of Standards (ISO) status – establishing Membertou as the very first Aboriginal government in Canada and the world to be ISO 9001 certified. Membertou has established itself as a credible organization in the business world with its ISO certification. Since the creation of the corporate division, Membertou has seen the development of several businesses including the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre, the Membertou Entertainment Centre, the Membertou Market, the Membertou Gaming Commission, the Membertou Data Centre, Membertou Geomatics, Membertou Radio, Petroglyphs Gift Shop and Mescalero’s Open Grill Steak House. With its new standards and commitment to continuous development, Membertou is indeed embracing its motto: Welcoming the World! Our Mission "The Membertou Corporate Division is committed to creating and enhancing business relationships between the Membertou First Nation and the Canadian and international business community. The corporate strategy is built on the foundations of integrity and fairness, and a dedication to maximizing financial benefits for its partners and the Membertou Community." The Membertou Corporate Division also identified corporate objectives, which includes creating wealth and development for the Membertou community, define and develop relationships with potential partners in the corporate sector, promote efficiency and profitability within Membertou's current businesses as well as create partnerships with other Mi'kmaq First Nations to ensure that those communities share in Membertou's intellectual properties and corporate success. What is ISO? The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards. ISO is a worldwide federation that works to ensure consistency and quality in companies around the globe. The ISO standardization provides a foundation that, when followed, enables organizations to optimize their activities and confidently and efficiently work with other companies around the globe. The title "ISO" is derived from the Greek, isos, which in English means "equal". Its brand name is universal in every country and language. The certification that Membertou has, ISO 9001:2008 follows a set of generic management system standards. This means that this certification can be applied to any organization, large or small and can affect all areas of an organization, from production and delivery practices, through accounting and human resources. Visit www.iso.org for more information on ISO.