Economic Development

“More than 300,000 jobs will need to be created for Aboriginal people in the period to accommodate the growth in the Aboriginal working-age population and to bring employment levels among Aboriginal people up to the Canadian standard.” (RCAP, 1997, 275)

“Entrepreneurship is the primary engine driving job creation in the Economy.” (RCAP)

Self-Government and Economic Self-reliance Inter-relationship- Self-government and control of lands enable Aboriginal socio-economic development and Economic self-sufficiency is an essential foundation for true self-government.

Chapter Question “The most effective way (probably the only way) for First Nation communities to address their current socio-economic challenges is to create wealth through business activity.” 1. What does this statement mean? Do you agree or disagree?

self-government control of resources business development Economic development Self-reliance Self-determination Aboriginal Development Cycle

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council developed a 20 year plan with Community input.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Guiding Principles: 1. Self-reliance as communities, families and individuals, rather than dependency on welfare programs, 2. Sharing, 3. Community decision-making, 4. Respect for the environment, and 5. Consultation with Elders

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Barriers Identified: Accessible education/job training. Alcohol-free and drug-free society. Equality and fairness in job distribution. Availability of permanent jobs. Community members working together supportively. Self-sufficiency and self-reliance versus welfare. Funding and financial programs for small business.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: What were the key roles of: Individuals? Family? F.N.?

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: What were the key roles of Individuals? Having positive attitudes and motivation Striving for self-sufficiency Obtaining education and training Starting small businesses

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: What were the key roles of Family? Having positive attitudes and motivation Striving for self-sufficiency Obtaining education and training Starting small businesses Providing healthy family lifestyles Providing support (moral, emotional, and financial) Preserving language, culture and traditions.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: What were the key roles of First Nation communities? 1.Providing effective and responsible leadership with a particular focus on ensuring community- based long-term economic development intended to provide members with a good standard of living.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: 2. Providing and encouraging education, training and Wellness programs. 3. Encouraging self-reliance through business planning and marketing assistance, offering workshops and training programs, providing information on funding and providing loans for small business.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Overcoming Barriers: 4. Direct involvement in economic development through business development initiatives as individual Nations and in partnerships with others. 5. Protecting the environment.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Elders Role? Why was the input of the Elders important?

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Elders Role? Traditional values identified by Elders were: Self-reliance Self-sufficiency Protection of environment Sharing economic benefits Community decision making Respect for wisdom of the Elders

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Elders Role? “In the future, hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering will not provide the self-sufficiency that is required. Young people will not live the same as the Elders live. The people cannot go back to the old days. We cannot turn back. We need to look ahead and know where to go next.” (MLTC, 1995b: II-15)

The Eight Characteristics of First Nations Economic Development 1. Individual First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities exhibit a predominately collective approach to economic development that is closely tied to each group’s traditional lands, its identity as a Nation and its desire to be self-governing. (Robert B. Anderson, 2002)

Chapter Question First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities have a collective approach to economic development. It is closely tied to traditional lands, identity as a Nation and a desire to be self- governing. This approach is intended to serve four purposes, what are they? 1.The attainment of economic self-sufficiency in support of self-government, 2.Control over activities on traditional lands 3.The improvement of socioeconomic circumstances, and 4.The preservation and strengthening of traditional culture and values.

Chapter Question What distinguishes this approach from other Canadian communities? The collective approach with a national focus and the emphasis on Culture and values.

The Eight Characteristics of First Nations Economic Development 2. Attain economic self-sufficiency as a necessary condition for the realization of self-government. 3. Improve the socio-economic circumstances of First Nations peoples. 4. Preserve and strengthen traditional cultures, values and languages and reflect them in development activities.

The Eight Characteristics of First Nations Economic Development 5. Create and operate businesses in order to exercise control over the economic development process. 6. Create and operate business that can compete profitably to support self-government and improve socio-economic conditions.

The Eight Characteristics of First Nations Economic Development 7. Form alliances among themselves and with non-First Nations partners to create businesses that can compete profitably in the global economy. 8. Build capacity through education, training and institution-building, while realizing treaties and First Nations right to land and resources.

Group Discussion: 1. Identify obstacles that your community needs to overcome to achieve economic independence. Do the obstacles change if you look them from different perspectives? For example: a single parent compared to a counselor. 2. What are the steps you would recommend to address your communities obstacles? 3. In addressing each of these obstacles, how will entrepreneurship assist your community in getting ready for self-government?