Rockman Medical Supply Services Inc.

Rockman Medical Supply Services Inc. of Sarnia, Ontario began as a Canadian Red Cross First Aid - CPR Authorized Provider.

While facilitating courses, primarily on Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Ron Plain used the forum to express the issues and safety concerns which he was most passionate about. Throughout the course he would emphasize that if you did not have a good first aid kit in your home, automobile, RV, boat, camp and any other place your family frequented, you were being negligent. During one of these courses a participant said:"If your going to tell me to buy a first aid kit, you should sell them." And so began the creation of Rockman Medical Supply Services Inc.

Mr. Plain recalled seeing the name of a local industrial safety supply company on a first aid kit and decided to call them. They offered the opportunity to sell their entire line of products. The majority of the companies in the "Valley" have aboriginal purchase policies and therefore Mr. Plain had an in. Unfortunately the supplier was at the top rung of the supply chain. Mr. Plain couldn't compete in pricing and was not getting the business. He did some research and was able to find a supplier closer to the primary source and negotiated a favourable account with them. With this account in place it represented 10,000 medical products. Mr. Plain then negotiated a distributor agreement with one of Canada’s largest industrial health and safety company.

Upon the arrival of SARS in Canada, –95 masks, biohand cleaners, isolation gowns and personal protection items became items in high demands. Mr. Plain represented the largest companies in Canada. Their opening months were seeing sales of 3 or 4 SARS related orders a day to First Nations. Then the bottom fell out. SARS supplies where being sent to all First Nations free of charge. Mr. Plain was essentially shut down. He then travelled to Ottawa to meet with Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada representatives. With solid advice from both departments and a strong track record of their own demonstrating quality in service, Rockman Medical Supply Inc. was able to get back on their feet.

Mr. Plain spent every minute of his day trying to find the absolute best pricing for brand products. Clients who began purchasing from Rockman in their early days saw a dramatic price reduction in products they use everyday. Their first price list had Vinyl Medical Examination Gloves retailed for $14.00 today that same box of gloves retails for $5.23. Today Rockman Medical Supply Services Inc is in a position to sell to companies who want to sell to industry.

Rockman Medical Supply Services Inc is an approved supplier to the United Nations. The following is a quote from Mr. Ron Plain: “There are many people like Allen Frost in INAC working hard everyday to make PSAB works.There are many people like Bob Merrick of Health Canada working to see that PSAB works for their departments to all of these people I say Miikwhech, Thank you.

For more information, Mr. Plain may be reached at 1 (519) 383-0214

The Various Aboriginal Nations

How many Aboriginal communities is there in Ontario? Do you know? There could be one or two or maybe even three or more on your way to the cottage. You are bound to be near a First Nation anywhere in Ontario. There are 128 aboriginal communities in the province and some have been there for a long long time. Take for instance, the Algonquins of Golden Lake, they have been there since the start of the 17th century.

If you travel along the shores of the great lakes you will most likely run into Ojibway communities. There are 88 Ojibway First Nations along the portion of Ontario that borders the United States all the way from East to West. Their population in total (in 2001) was over 74,000.

In the Southern tip of Ontario there are two Delaware communities. Their combined population is 1,500 and some. Also in the same area are the Potawatomi with over 4,000 habitants divided into three communities.

On Manitoulin Island in the Georgian Bay there is only one aboriginal community, but their numbers are well over 6,000. This is the only place where you will find an Odawa First Nation and it is named Wikwemikon.

If you find yourself exploring the northern part of Ontario, you are likely not driving around in your car. In the far North most of the Cree First Nations are only accessible by air. A large percentage of the total Cree population does not seem to mind that at all. 85% of close to 24,000 Cree live in those communities. Also in the deep woods of the North you will find 8 Oji-Cree First Nations and their population is around 4,000.

Although Algonquin are mostly located in West Québec, two Algonquin First Nation are in Ontario. In addition to the Golden Lake community, the Wahgoshig First Nations is located east of Timmins. Combined together their total population is a little over 2,000.

Finally, the Iroquois find themselves spread out in the southern part of Ontario. Among the 5 Iroquois First Nations one shares it’s territory with Québec and New York. the biggest area being in New York.. They are the Mohawks of Akwesasne. Also to note that the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation is comprised of six “sub-families”: The Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora. In all the entire population of Iroquois in Ontario is roughly 40,000.

Spotlight on Standing Offers

In this issue, we spotlight the Aboriginal MSO’s dealing with:

Office Supplies

The following table contains the names and addresses of the Aboriginal suppliers with whom a MSO has been established in this category.

These companies will provide a service that is equivalent to some offered by non-aboriginal suppliers. Their products are also of equal quality and price value. When in need of office supplies of any kind take into consideration the possibility of doing business with these firms and at the same time reaffirming your commitment to the PSAB.

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