The National Board achieved a number of important milestones from 2019-2021. The NIEDB addresses the importance of engaging Indigenous communities and businesses in all industries and sectors throughout the country to achieve economic reconciliation.

“As Indigenous practitioners of economic and business development at the community level, we fully understand that achieving  true reconciliation will not be possible without vibrant Indigenous economies, characterized by economic self-sufficiency and socio-economic equality with the rest of Canada."

Dawn Madahbee Leach, Chairperson

Key highlights from the report include:

• The release of the following reports: 2019 Recommendations on Northern Sustainable Food Systems, 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report, 2019 Indigenous Economic Reconciliation: Recommendations of Reconciliation and Inclusive Economic Growth for Indigenous Peoples and Canada report and the 2020-2023 NIEDB Strategic Plan

Special events and milestones:

• Collaboration with the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on their first-ever report on Indigenous economic development “Linking Indigenous Communities to Regional Development”
• Hosting a UN Permanent Forum Side Event to discuss activating the economic components of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

NIEDB 2019-2021 Multiannual Report

National Indigenous Economic Development Board: Opportunities For Future Board Members

The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) is currently accepting applications for future Board Members. Board Members must be Indigenous and may reside anywhere in Canada.

Who can apply?

Candidates applying for the position of Board Member must possess considerable and demonstrated experience as an Indigenous leader in the field of business and economic development. Governance experience within a national or regional organization and recognition for achievements in this role are essential. Candidates must also be recognized and respected for their leadership, integrity, and trustworthiness by their peers and by relevant communities of interest.

Deadline:

Applications for the role of Board Member will be accepted until September 1, 2023.

How to apply:

Please send the following items to the contact listed below: a detailed, up-to-date résumé that includes your contact information and an explanation of relevant experience.

Contact us:

National Indigenous Economic Development Board Secretariat
10 rue Wellington, Suite 1455

Mail Stop 17-7

Gatineau QC  K1A 0H4

819-775-1801
cndeaniedbsecretariat@sac-isc.gc.ca

In an article entitled, A business leader at home in a ‘trapper’s cabin and a corporate boardroom’, The Globe and Mail highlights the accomplishments of Dr. Marie Delorme as she discusses COVID-19 business challenges, leadership virtues, ally ship and the future of Indigenous business.

“There are more than 50,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada, spanning all sectors and contributing $32-billion annually to the country’s GDP. This contribution could grow to $100-billion through procurement, investment and partnerships with governments and industry. Those are a lot of reasons to be optimistic.”

Read the full article here

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) plans a celebration to honour Dawn Madahbee Leach as the 2023 Business Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Lesley Hampton, as the recipient of the Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award. Recognizing their contributions to the Indigenous economy at different stages in their careers, both are to be honoured and celebrated at an Awards Dinner following CCAB’s Central Business Forum on February 7th at the Marriott Toronto Eaton Centre.

Read the full article here

Victoria LaBillois, Vice-Chairperson of the NIEDB, participated as a witness in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) on December 5, 2022.

During this session, Victoria LaBillois spoke to the issue of diversity in procurement. The official recommendations put forth by the NIEDB are as follows:

• Significant investment is necessary for the establishment of a new Indigenous-led procurement institution at the national level;
• Very low current thresholds for non-competitive processes and sole-source contracting must be increased;
• The target for the total value of federal contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses should be proportionally higher than 5% where geographically warranted;
• Training on Indigenous cultural awareness for procurement officials should be mandatory; and,
• The government should monitor and report on an annual basis, distinct from other reporting processes, whether or not each federal department is meeting its mandated 5% Indigenous procurement target.

Additional witnesses:

• Philip Ducharme, Vice President, Entrepreneurship and Procurement, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
• Ray Wanuch, Executive Director, Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers
• Shannin Metatawabin, Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Read the full transcript here

ABSTRACT: Urban reserves offer a unique economic development tool for First Nation governments by providing access to markets and infrastructure unavailable on most reserve lands in Canada. Asimakiniseekan Askiy is Canada’s first urban reserve established on land previously owned by a city. The urban reserve was established in Saskatoon by the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988. Asimakiniseekan Askiy provides an example of the economic potential of urban reserves for First Nations and their members, as well as municipal governments and their citizens. The urban reserve is currently home to 60 First Nation and non-First Nation businesses and their 700 employees. In 2020, the urban reserve contributed $465,662 to the city of Saskatoon in service fee payments. However, before this economic potential could be realized, property taxation presented a sizable barrier in the path of taking Asimakiniseekan Askiy from an innovative idea to a successful reality. Establishing an urban reserve has significant property tax implications, since the process requires the transfer of property from the taxing authority of a municipal jurisdiction to the tax jurisdiction of a First Nation government. Agreements providing for the transfer of tax authority also include negotiations relating to the continued provision of services to the urban reserve by the municipality. This article first provides a summary of the statutory environment surrounding the formation and taxation of an urban reserve. A case study of the establishment and 33 years of operation of Asimakiniseekan Askiy is then provided, to illustrate the property tax implications and municipal service agreement process necessary for Canadian communities to achieve the economic benefits of urban reserves. The authors identify property tax challenges inherent in the establishment of an urban reserve and offer recommendations to improve access to urban reserves as an innovative economic development tool.

Full report

Dawn Madahbee Leach, Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), accompanied the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to Aotearoa-New Zealand from August 20 to 28, 2022, and was joined on Canada’s Indigenous delegation by Dr. Brenda Gunn, of the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, Gerri Sharpe, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and Sharon Nate, Executive Director (Education) of the Matawa Tribal Council.

During this visit (August 24), Minister Hajdu signed the Indigenous Collaboration Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Aotearoa-New Zealand. The Arrangement will promote and facilitate the socio-economic, political, educational, well-being, cultural and environmental advancements of Indigenous peoples in both countries.

“The deepening of the Canada-New Zealand relationship on Indigenous trade issues and inter-governmental collaboration is a powerful catalyst for change. Both Canada and New Zealand are beginning to understand the value and complexities of Indigenous knowledge and kinship. Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike prosper when Indigenous jurisdiction and authority, and cultural values and languages, are affirmed and celebrated, when fair solutions to land-related claims are implemented, and when reliable community infrastructure is realized.”

Dawn Madahbee Leach
Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

NIEDB Canada-NZ Press Release

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) proudly announces Dr. Marie Delorme as the recipient of the 2022 Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations.

CCAB’s Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is given annually to a bridge builder who has contributed to making connections between Indigenous people and Canadian society through their professional and voluntary commitments.

Full press release

“Defining Indigenous Businesses in Canada” is a report commissioned by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) on behalf of national Indigenous organizations who comprise the National Indigenous Procurement Working Group (NIPWG). It presents proposed definitions of Indigenous Businesses for use in Canada.

Drawing on various national and international descriptions, the definitions are comprised of three core elements:

1. The requirement for Indigenous business owners, directors of Indigenous companies, and in the case of cooperatives – voting members, to provide evidence of Indigenous identity as demonstrated through a legitimate Indigenous identity?issuing organization or entity.
2. Entrepreneurs and small business owners should also demonstrate that they possess the relevant expertise and credentials to own the business and the capacity to actively engage in operating the business.
3. A minimum of 51% Indigenous ownership. While it is recognized that there are many businesses that have Indigenous ownership or which provide social returns such as employment, the intent of the definitions presented is to provide competitive advantages to majority owned Indigenous businesses.

“More than 50,000 Indigenous owned businesses in Canada contribute $31 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product annually.”

These definitions are consistent with comparator definitions of Indigenous businesses sourced from a review of Canadian and international entities. A literature review contained within the report discusses the critical need for the ethical and effective engagement of governments and industry with Indigenous owned and operated businesses. Indigenous businesses create jobs, improve local communities, fuel innovation, and contribute to social and economic wellbeing.

Defining Indigenous Businesses Report

The following report entitled “Current status of Broadband Connectivity in First Nations Communities in B.C.”, prepared by Dr. Ruth Williams and presented to the National Board, illustrates how the pandemic has highlighted a major challenge for Indigenous communities to fully participate and flourish in the Canadian economy.

“The question isn’t ‘can we afford to connect our First Nations communities?’ It’s ‘how can we afford not to connect them?’”

The lack of reliable broadband infrastructure, affordability, and adequate connectivity, including the inability to receive virtual services, such as remote healthcare and remote education, has been a long-standing barrier faced by many Indigenous communities across the country.

Additionally, the lack of general infrastructure in many communities, notably remote and northern communities, needs to be addressed. Although some progress has been made, significant investments will be needed to increase broadband capacity overall. Urgent review and analysis of community needs is necessary, and long overdue, to close the digital divide.

ANTC Broadband Connectivity in BC - Dr. Ruth Williams