Indigenous Economic Development

Indigenous organizations and communities are finding unique partnerships around B.C. to grow their economies. Creativity and collaboration are key to their success. This section shares stories and resources to support First Nations and Indigenous communities reach their economic development goals.  

Renewing Indigenous Economies

Join Dr. Andre Le Dressay, Director of the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, for a presentation on renewing Indigenous economies.

First Nations have a long history of pursuing sustainable trade, markets, and economies. These activities were largely eliminated by the Indian Act over the last 140 years. Now, First Nations are leading the way in implementing a modern governance framework. Self-determination over their lands and finances is unlocking their economic potential.

Learn how institutional innovation is creating the conditions for sustainable Indigenous economies.

Presentation Slides:

• Tulo Presentation - Renewing Indigenous Economies slides (PDF, 3.1MB)

Watch the Renewing Indigenous Economies webinar.

Indigenous Self-Determination through Capital Financing

Join Ernie Daniels, President and CEO of the First Nations Finance Authority for a webinar on Indigenous self-determination through capital financing.
 
In 1992 it was an idea: A non-profit corporation that is First Nation owned and controlled. It would provide First Nations with the same finance instruments available to other levels of government in Canada. The vision was to build safe, healthy, and prosperous communities – “by First Nations, for First Nations.”

Now it is a reality. Learn how the FNFA is helping First Nations communities prosper through access to financing for capital projects.

Presentation Slides:

• Indigenous Self-Determination through Capital Financing slides (PDF, 3MB)

Watch the Indigenous Self-Determination through Capital Financing webinar.

Indigenous Self-Determination through Infrastructure Governance

Join Jason Calla, Technical Team Lead for the First Nations Infrastructure Institute (FNII), for a presentation on building Indigenous self-determination through infrastructure governance. 

The problems with the current First Nation infrastructure system are well known. Infrastructure takes too long to develop, costs too much to build, and does not last long enough. This reality contributes to poor social and economic outcomes. FNII provides the skills and tools for First Nations to plan, procure, own and manage infrastructure assets. 

Learn how FNII supports improved First Nations infrastructure outcomes.

Presentation Slides:

• Indigenous Self-Determination through Infrastructure Governance slides (PDF, 477KB)

Watch the Indigenous Self-Determination through Infrastructure Governance webinar.

Indigenous Self-Determination through Land Governance

Join Robert Louie, Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, for a presentation on Indigenous self-determination through land governance.

First Nations in Canada are regaining governance over their reserve lands and resources. This in turn is enabling community economic development and environmental management. Communities can make development choices consistent with their cultural knowledge and value systems. 

Learn about the benefits of First Nations achieving self-governance over their lands.

Presentation Slides:

• Indigenous Self-Determination Through Land Governance slides (PDF, 2.5MB)

Watch the Indigenous Self-Determination Through Land Governance webinar.

Indigenous Self-Determination through Fiscal Governance - First Nations Tax Commission

Join Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, to take a closer look at how First Nations communities are evolving and growing in B.C. and across Canada, expanding their tax jurisdiction, implementing property tax systems, and laying the foundations for building prosperous and vibrant communities. Explore how the First Nations Tax Commission helps its members achieve self-governance over taxation, and the benefits that flow from exercising those powers.

Find out how First Nations with tax jurisdiction are moving beyond dependency and setting their own policies and priorities and learn how these developments intersect with the Province’s commitment to reconciliation and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Presenters: Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner, First Nations Tax Commission

Watch the First Nation Tax Commission webinar originally broadcast on September 15, 2020

Indigenous Self-Determination through Fiscal Governance - First Nations Financial Management Board

The Indigenous Economic Development & Reconciliation Speakers Series is partnering with the BC Ideas Exchange Webinar Series for a three-part series of webinars on ­­­building Indigenous self-determination through fiscal governance.

In the first session of the series, Harold Calla, Executive Chair of the First Nations Financial Management Board, shares the story of how the First Nations Financial Management Board helps its members achieve self-governance over their finances, and the benefits that flow from the exercise of those powers.

This webinar takes a closer look at how First Nations communities are evolving and growing in B.C. and across Canada, regaining governance over their finances, and laying the foundations for community and economic development consistent with cultural knowledge and value systems. Find out how managing their own affairs enables First Nations to both move away from dependency and address barriers to attracting investments to their lands. Learn how these developments intersect with the Province’s commitment to reconciliation and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Presentation Slides: 

• First Nations Financial Management Board (PDF 3.5MB)

Watch the Indigenous Self-Determination through Fiscal Governance webinar originally broadcast on June 24, 2020

Economic Reconciliation: Charting the Pathway

As Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stated at the Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver: “We will never be truly reconciled until we achieve economic reconciliation.” 

What is “Economic Reconciliation” and how do we chart a pathway towards it without reinforcing broken patterns of economic colonization and control? 

This webinar will offer: 

• Reflections on some of the critical underlying principles needed to form the foundation for true economic reconciliation 
• Examples of economic reconciliation in action from B.C. communities to help de-mystify the process 
• An opportunity to engage in a conversation that focuses on specific actions you can take to decrease barriers and increase economic reconciliation momentum

Featured Guest: Paul Lacerte, co-founder of the Moosehide Campaign, managing partner of Raven Capital Partners.

Presentation slides:

• Economic Reconciliation (PDF, 455KB)

Watch the Economic Reconciliation webinar originally broadcast on June 7, 2018.

Indigenous & Local Government Collaboration on Economic Development: A Dialogue of Understanding

Local Leaders Series

Effective economic development requires regional cooperation and collaboration with all neighbouring communities. This webinar will provide a foundation for building strong relationships between Indigenous communities and local governments to realize mutually beneficial economic development opportunities. This workshop is designed to help facilitate relationship building through:

• Comparing the differences in opportunities for Local Government and Indigenous economic development
• Providing Local Governments a perspective on the Indigenous economic development context
• Strategies for determining mutual priorities and working together effectively
• Building strong relationships based on trust and respect
• Promotional Information (PDF, 1.2MB)

Watch the Indigenous and Local Government Collaboration on Economic Development webinar originally broadcast on March 23, 2017.

Working with Indigenous Businesses: Building Partnerships in Tourism

First Nations are stepping up and assuming a leadership role in all aspects of B.C. society, including business. In the world of tourism, businesses and First Nations have tested a wide range of approaches to working together. In this webinar, the owner of a leading West Coast resort and his First Nations neighbours discuss the special agreement they launched to help them work together for mutual benefit.

The session will include background on the major role tourism now plays in B.C.’s economy, the steps First Nations are taking to get into the tourism game in a big way, the practical lessons of a resort-owner working in a First Nations Territory, and some advice from a respected Indigenous leader on how non-Indigenous businesses can work successfully with First Nations to grow new and better tourism operations.

• Building Partnerships in Tourism Presentation Slides (PDF, 15MB)
• 'Wi'la'mola Accord Document (PDF, 141KB)

Watch the Building Partnerships in Tourism webinar originally broadcast on April 12, 2016.