Pictured above: The Northern store in Pauingassi, 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 Pauingassi First Nation, MB, are a testament to our commitment.

The name Pauingassi refers to nearby hills. The Anishinaabe First Nation is an inland community located approximately 280 km northeast of Winnipeg, MB and 24 km north of Little Grand Rapids, MB on a peninsula jutting southward into Fishing Lake, a tributary of Berens River.

Originally, Pauingassi was part of Little Grand Rapids First Nation but was granted reserve status in 1988 and became a separate First Nation in 1991. Nowadays, Pauingassi is home to 624 residents (according to the Southeast Resource Development Council Corp. website) who speak Salteaux/Ojibway and English. Community members still cultivate their teachings of the language and their economic base remains hunting, fishing, trapping and wild rice harvesting.

Pauingassi is a remote fly-in community, with float planes landing on the lake in the spring, summer and fall. During these seasons, the access via the Little Grand Rapids Airport is restricted is used only during the freeze/thaw period. Winter roads were built from Pine Dock to Bloodvein enabling access by snowmobiles.

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 Pauingassi, with our Northern store employing nine individuals. Our commitment to local talent is demonstrated through our workforce consisting of 55% Indigenous employees.*

2. Capital Investment: Northern has made a $787,754 capital investment in the Pauingassi store over a 10-year period.*

3. Annual Economic Impact: Northern is making a positive impact in Pauingassi, with $535,082 annual economic impact in the community.*

Pauingassi Northern Store Manager in relief, Matt Matthews, and his team are significant community supporters.

“I’ve been here a little over a month, after the wildfire, working hard along with the store team to get the store ready on time before everyone returned to the community. Everyone returned between October 2-9 and they are all thankful to be back home to start their daily lives. We are also glad to be back and to be able to serve the community,” said Matthews.

*For the year ending 2020