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Sometimes when the name says it all, the name says it all. This is true in a basic sense with Indigenous Economic Development Corporations. Namely a corporation (or group of corporations) formed to develop the economic activity of a community.

Economic Development Corporations (also known as “EDCs”) in short form are corporations formed under the laws of governmental regulation to manage the economic arm of the Indigenous community. They are becoming more and more commonly used in Canada and, more importantly, are becoming more influential in the overall Canadian corporate environment.

The first urban reserve in Canada was created in 1988 in the City of Saskatoon. The relationship between Saskatoon and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) was unique at the time but thankfully is no longer as urban reserves are becoming more common. Saskatoon now has five urban reserves and four Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) selections. TLEs are lands that have been selected and acquired with funds under the Treaty Land Entitlement (1992) Framework.

Paul K. Ledoux, Council Member, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation was a guest speaker at the Urban Reserves Forum in Winnipeg in early March 2016. Paul contacted us for permission to use some of the tips in our ebook 27 Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® Must Do’s as part of his presentation. Paul is so informed about developing and managing an urban reserve we wanted to learn more so here's our Q & A with him. Paul's' bio and a link to download a pdf of his presentation are at the end of the article.

Ramona Materi, MPA, MEd is the President of Ingenia Consulting. Ingenia consults on labour market and economic development issues. The firm has worked with First Nations, the natural gas, solid wood, mining and environmental sectors and developed workforce training strategies for Northwest and Northeast BC.

The myth that Indigenous People do not pay taxes is one of the more enduring misconceptions regarding how easy Indigenous People have it and generates a lot of resentment with non-Aboriginal Canadians. Other myths concern free education, free housing and others.

There is a new reality taking shape in the Canadian economy. More than ever before, First Nations are pursuing and achieving a greater share in the benefits and opportunities that come with being players in the mainstream real estate property economy.

Updated: February 2018

The time has come and we see action on the horizon in terms of change coming politically, legally and economically for Aboriginal Peoples. Improving First Nations economic development potential is desirable not only for the First Nation, but also for Canada’s mainstream businesses and the national economy. Business owners increasingly recognize the link between the success of First Nations economic development interests and that of their own. On their part, First Nations increasingly are actively pursuing economic development opportunities on reserve and within their traditional territory lands.

This presentation is called First Nations and Big Retail Outlets. I was inspired to do this while on a recent trip to Campbell River, BC when I noticed this Target Store logo with First Nations designs beside it. That’s when it dawned on me that the local First Nations were involved in a big way in the retail sector. Not only were they involved, but it was with an all star cast of some of the biggest names in retail like The Home Depot.

By Bob Joseph

I’m often asked this question in my workshops. My answer is, “It depends.” There are two considerations that come into play in evaluating a community’s views on development or conservation - belief structures and socio-economic conditions.

By Bob Joseph

Resource revenue sharing (RRS) and Aboriginal Peoples has been in the news a lot of late as it is one of the long-standing issues stirred up by the Idle No More movement. It is by no means a new issue, but just one of many mired in the murky waters of Aboriginal rights, title, treaties, equal education, self-government, the Indian Act - the list is long.