KOOTENAY KNITTING & NISGA’A KNIT & APPAREL CORP. KICK OFF HISTORIC BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

Vancouver, B.C. – Nisga’a Knit & Apparel Corp. announced today that it has purchased 29% of the shares of Kootenay Knitting Company Ltd. This historic business relationship is consistent with the Province of British Columbia’s high priority to improve the economic conditions of Aboriginal communities.

Nelson Leeson, President of the Nisga’a Lisims Government said that “we look forward to working with Kootenay Knitting in the creation of authentic and exciting products that will be proudly displayed on the world stage.”

Willard Martin, Chief Counsel of the Nisga’a Village of Greenville, said that “this economic venture will provide a welcome opportunity to engage the Government of British Columbia under its New Relationship Facility to support First Nations business and employment development. This is also a great opportunity for our people to become actively involved in the designing and manufacturing of high quality sweaters, hats and other apparel.”

”As an official licensee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we were inspired by VANOC’s commitment to unprecedented aboriginal participation,” said Cathy Rella, founder of Kootenay Knitting. “In many ways, VANOC’s goals helped lead us to this partnership with the Nisga’a.”

“This relationship embodies the spirit of the Olympics perfectly” says Colin Hansen, B.C.’s Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics. “This partnership is truly exciting. This alliance between small business and the First Nations community will have positive effects for years to come.”

Under the business arrangement, Nisga’a Knit & Apparel Corp. may purchase up to 100% of the shares of Kootenay Knitting.

“Currently, there is increasing consumer demand for 100% authentic Canadian made products,” continued Rella. “Our partnership with Nisga’a Knit & Apparel Corp. will strengthen our brand by including beautiful and distinctive Nisga’a designs.”

Ron Stickley, President of Kootenay Knitting said, “it has been our focus for the past year to build on Kootenay Knitting’s ‘local hero’ status. Being able to integrate Nisga’a designs into our product lines will greatly enhance our Canadian made ‘True North’ collections.”

Stickley further said, “the Nisga’a investment will also allow Kootenay Knitting to upgrade its knitting capabilities. With our Stoll technology, we will have a fully integrated design and production system between Cranbrook and the Nass Valley, which has been the home of the Nisga’a for thousands of years.”

For further information contact:
Ron Stickley
Cell: (403) 861-0039
rfstick@shaw.ca
Allan Rella
Cell: (250) 417-9541
allanrella@shaw.ca