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October 25, November 1 & 2, 2018, Edmonton Alberta

Indigenous Roundtable Report - November 2018
Location: CANDO Conference & Quality Inn Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta

 

Table of Contents
1. Background/content
2. Methodology
3. Workshop findings
Theme 1. what does success look like?
Theme 2. what business are we trying to support?
Theme 3. mechanisms for achieving success
Theme 4: registration and verification
Theme 5: how can governments, industry and western canadians work together to grow the regional economy?
Appendices


1. Background

The Western Canada Growth Strategy is a "made-in-western-Canada" plan that aims to position the West for success five years from now, 10 year from now, and beyond. The pan-western growth strategy will help set the foundation to ensure that the unique regional economies in Western Canada continue to grow and flourish by:

Western Economic Diversification (WD) has been hosting roundtables discussions throughout Western Canada to ask the following five questions:

  1. What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?
  2. What are the best ways to spur new growth in western Canada?
  3. What will help the Indigenous economy continue to grow?
  4. How can we improve economic participation in the west of underrepresented groups, including women, youth and new immigrants?
  5. How can governments, industry and western Canadians work together to grow the regional economy?

2. Methodology

WD hosted two Indigenous round table sessions on November 1st and 2nd in Edmonton, AB. Prior to these sessions, WD hosted a session to gather input from participants at the CANDO (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) conference that took place in Edmonton, Alberta on October 25th, 2018. CANDO is a national Indigenous organization involved in community economic development. The organization was founded in 1990 with a mandate to provide a national body that is aimed to focus on training, education and networking.  This session had 19 participants who were Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Feedback from the participants has been included in this report. This report is intended to provide an overview of the discussion, and does not imply consensus or agreement on the topics discussed amongst participants.

The Government of Canada developed five thematic questions, which were consistently asked at each of the Western Canada roundtables. At the Indigenous roundtables each of the five questions had three additional sub-questions which are outlined in the findings of the report.

Prior to participants sharing their input on the questions a PowerPoint presentation was provided by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Jim Saunderson from WD Alberta Region. Handouts of the presentation were provided to each of the participants.
WD hired Janene Wilson of Plan4ward Consulting who is an Indigenous facilitator with experience in economic development and employment and training to facilitate the two roundtables. A total of twenty-five participants were invited each day however, not all were able to attend. The first day allowed for 13 Indigenous leaders, CEO's of Tribal Councils, banking industry and government to provide input on the five thematic questions and fifteen sub-questions that were provided by WD in advance of the session. The second day hosted 11 persons that included entrepreneurs, banking representatives and government agencies that provide program support to communities and entrepreneurs as well as academia who work in the area of Indigenous economic development.

This report will encompass the findings from all three sessions and the input from all 43 participants in a consolidated format to avoid repetition and highlight key areas of concern. It should be noted that due to time constraints themes 4 & 5 were done as a large group discussion versus smaller breakout groups. It was agreed that a draft report would be shared with the participants for their final review and input. Additions would be made to the draft report based on additional comments received by the facilitator.  Participants also had the opportunity to send comments directly into the Western Canada Growth Strategy portal by November 16, 2018. Information on how to upload comments to the portal was provided at the CANDO and roundtable sessions.


Key highlights

There were a variety of comments from participants ranging from economic development funding to capacity development. The initial question of "What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?" was given a framework of issues that need to be addressed. The overall discussion was centered around building sustainable communities from an economic perspective by:


 

Workshop findings

Theme 1: What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?

Sub Question 1:

If you could paint a picture of the economy in your Indigenous community in ten years what would it look like?

Sub Question 2:

With 48% of Indigenous peoples in Alberta residing in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge, what does that vision look like in an urban setting?

Sub Question 3

What can be done and changed from current practices to foster stronger relationships between government agencies and Indigenous people, communities, and service delivery organizations as it relates to economic development?


Theme 2: What are the best ways to spur new growth in western Canada?

Sub Question 1

What has been working successfully in Indigenous communities as it pertains to economic growth (partnerships, leveraging funds, capacity assistance)?

Sub Question 2

How do you measure economic success in your Indigenous community or as an individual? (jobs created, greater income levels, more band-owned and individual-owned businesses)?

Sub Question 3
What have been the biggest barriers to economic growth in Indigenous communities and/or for Indigenous entrepreneurs? (access to capital, banking req's, etc 51% ownership requirements?)


Theme 3: What will help the Indigenous economy continue to grow?

Sub Question 1:

How can government agencies improve their procurement strategy for Indigenous businesses and communities and assist with industry partnerships in Western Canada?

Sub Question 2

Based on the programming already being offered to Indigenous businesses and communities, what can be added to allow for future growth? (less matching funds, more programming, easier access)?

Sub Question 3
What barriers are impeding economic growth? Are there any solutions that might mitigate these barriers?


Theme 4 : How can we improve economic participation in the west of underrepresented groups, including women and youth?

Sub Question 1

What are some of the challenges that Indigenous women and youth face when trying to participate in the economy? (racism, sexism, capacity)?

Sub Question 2

What programs or supports need to be developed to support women and youth? (i.e, Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurial Camp?

Sub question 3

Are there best practices that can be used in Indigenous communities to enhance youth and women's participation in the economy?


Theme 5: How can governments, industry and western Canadians work together to grow the regional economy?

Sub Question 1

What opportunities could the government provide to assist in the growth of the Indigenous economy? (i.e. bridge financing, institutional capacity, facilitating partnerships with industry)

Sub Question 2

Are there any current Indigenous organizations that could play a role in assisting in an Indigenous growth strategy for communities and their individual members?  (i.e. Western Canada Business Service Network, Indigenous Works, treaty area organizations).

Sub Question 3

How should government agencies engage with communities to seek their input on the growth of the regional economy? Who needs to be involved (Chiefs, Economic Development officers, tribal councils) and what resources does everyone need to bring to the table?

Other challenges identified during dialogue on this question:


Appendices

Rules of engagement

We are here today to work together and to work collaboratively.

All of us in the room represent a form of government. This is an opportunity to listen and to change how we work together.

To work together “the best way we can”, we are asking that we all observe the following behaviors:


WCGS – Indigenous Roundtables – 5 Thematic Questions and sub-questions

Standard WCGS Engagement Questions (5 Thematic Questions)

What do you think?

We want to hear from you. Help us build the pillars to shape the Western Canada Growth Strategy by answering the following five questions either online, through mail, or by leading your own group discussion:

  1. What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?
  2. What are the best ways to spur new growth in western Canada?
  3. What will help the Indigenous economy continue to grow?
  4. How can we improve economic participation in the west of underrepresented groups, including women, youth and new immigrants?
  5. How can governments, industry and western Canadians work together to grow the regional economy?

1. What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?

Additional Prompts/Sub-questions for Indigenous Participants

What can be done and changed from current practices to foster stronger relationships between government agencies and Indigenous people, communities, and service delivery organizations as it relates to economic development?

2. What are the best ways to spur new growth in western Canada?

Additional Prompts/Sub-questions for Indigenous Participants

3. What will help the Indigenous economy continue to grow?

Additional Prompts/Sub-questions for Indigenous Participants

4. How can we improve economic participation in the west of underrepresented groups, including women and youth?

Additional Prompts/Sub-questions for Indigenous Participants

How can governments, industry and western Canadians work together to grow the regional economy?

Additional Prompts/Sub-questions for Indigenous Participants


  Day 1 – Participants List - November 1, 2018
1. Daniel Cardinal, Métis Nation of Alberta 2. Cameron Alexis, Tribal Chiefs Ventures
3. Bruce Gladue,MNA 4. Darcy Dupas, Métis Settlement General Council
5. Stacey Sankey, NRCAN - CFS 6. Dixon Byrne, NRCAN - Devon
7. Chief Arthur Rain, Paul First Nations Band 8. John Rain, Paul First Nations Band
9. William Vu, Royal Bank of Canada 10. Joe Jobin, Alberta Indigenous Relations
11. Kevin Turner, PSPC 12. Dayna Jangejon, ISC
13. Paul Wyminga, Alberta Indigenous Relations    
  Day 2 – Participants List - November 2, 2018
1. Shannon Houle, Settlement Investment Corporation 2. Rocky Sinclair, Alberta Indian Investment Corporation
3. Marcella Mandeville, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs 4. Nicole Matos, Rivet Management
5. Kathleen Thompson, TradeWinds to Success 6. Gord Sawatzky, Business Link
7. Lorne Blesse, Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurs 8. Michael Hart, University of Calgary
9. Narinder Singh, Indian Business Corporation 10. Tarra Wright, Many Chief Indigenous Tourism Alberta
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