ASSEMBLY OF
GENERAL CHIEFS ASSEMBLY
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY REPORT
May 8, 9, 10, 2007
VETERAN’S HALL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DAY 1 – May 8, 2007
............... Opening
of Meeting .......................................................................................................... 3
Address by Premier Gary Doer,
Opening Ceremonies.......................................................................................................... 4
Review of Agenda & Assembly Rules............................................................................ 4
Welcoming Remarks........................................................................................................... 5
Host
Chief Ken Whitecloud,
Vice
Chief
Grand
Chief
Overview of
DIAND Aboriginal Economic Development Update.................................................... 6
Address by Hugh McFayden, Progressive Conservative Party
Leader.................... 7
Resource Based Economy and Treaties.......................................................................... 8
First Nation Energy Company Concept (Manitoba First
Nation Energy Co............. 10
DAY 2 – May 9, 2007
............... Opening
Ceremonies.......................................................................................................... 13
Recap
and Review of Agenda.......................................................................................... 13
Economic
Sustainability “Generating of Wealth and Creating Jobs”........................ 14 Economic
Opportunities in First Nations Housing 14
Manitoba
Commercial Inland Fishers Federation Inc. Report/Update…................... 15
The
Mining Association of
Aboriginal
Chamber of Commerce Presentation............................................................ 17
Employment
Equity Presentation..................................................................................... 17
Personal
Care Homes......................................................................................................... 18
DAY 3 – May 10, 2007
Opening
Ceremonies.......................................................................................................... 19
Recap of Previous Day’s Agenda.................................................................................... 19
Bi-Pole III Presentation...................................................................................................... 20
Review of Agenda.............................................................................................................. 21
Tribal Council Investment Group..................................................................................... 22
Provincial Election Strategies by First Nations.............................................................. 22
Ceremony to Honor First Nations Leadership............................................................... 23
Ceremony in Selecting the Elder Advisor to AMC Grand
Chief................................. 23
Address by Dr. Jon Gerrard, Liberal Party Leader......................................................... 23
National Day of Action – A
First Networks – 2008 Advanced Wireless Spectrum
Auction................................... 25
Closing Remarks................................................................................................................. 27
Closing Ceremonies............................................................................................................ 27
Assembly of
General Chiefs Assembly on Economic
Development
DAY 1 – TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007
PIPE
CEREMONY
Pipe
Ceremony by Elder Frank Tacan,
OPENING OF
MEETING
Chairman
David Spence, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation stated that Premier Gary Doer was present
and scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. presentation. Opening Ceremonies would be dispensed with at
this time and called AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans to introduce Premier Doer.
Grand
Chief Ron Evans welcomed and introduced Premier Gary Doer.
ADDRESS BY
PREMIER GARY DOER,
He
thanked Grand Chief Evans and Chief Whitecloud for the invitation to attend the
Chiefs Assembly in the beautiful lands of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. That he
is looking forward to attending future Chiefs Assemblies. Issues that he looks
forward to working on with First Nations include:
- Residential Schools
– congratulated former Manitoba Leader Phil Fontaine for ensuring success
on Residential Schools;
- Canadian Human
Rights and ensuring that First Nations history is recorded and documented;
- Various Programming
such as the healthy baby program, Tele-Health, Dialysis, Diabetes
prevention programs; that his government has opened Renal Dialysis in two First
Nations to date, Garden Hill and Peguis and expect opening a few more shortly;
- Training of more
Doctors – the NDP platform is to train more Doctors in
- Eight Student
Bursaries have been established for First Nations;
- That the NDP government
reinstated AMC’s core funding once they were in power;
- Developing economies
and partnerships – working towards the AJI recommendations, such as the First Nation CFS Authorities to be
mandated by First Nations people, NFA, mineral rights agreements, TLE
including the commitment of 150 acres per year and ensuring the federal
government resolves the outstanding TLE agreements;
- Ensuring that the
Treaties are respected and understood as they are meant to and respecting
of s.35 of the Canadian Constitution;
- Movement and
commitment to economic development and equality i.e. Wuskatim Dam in Nisichawayasihk
Cree Nation to implement their agreement, Eastside and tourism; that the
government is committed to partnerships in future hydro development;
- In regards to partnerships,
First Nations have the right to decide what to do on their own land; and
- We believe that all
Canadians have to have economic and training opportunities including construction
of roads and availability of clean water.
Discussion, Questions & Answer
Session
Concerns
were raised by a number of Chiefs on the smoking ban on-reserve and bylaws
created by First Nations and what the government’s position is on bylaws
developed by First Nations.
Premier
Doer stated he is prepared to respect First Nation bylaws and regulations and the
Province did challenge the Court decision by Justice Clearwater.
The
Premier was asked to clarify the province’s position on section 6.08 of the VLT
Site Agreement.
Premier
Doer stated that the Agreement deals with gaming. He would respect the jurisdiction of the
Chiefs.
The
issue of access and resource sharing to the natural resources by the First
Nations was raised and it was stated that most First Nations receive very
little from their natural resources from the Province and must develop new
ideas to generate economic opportunities for their communities or they must
reinstate good programs that worked in the past such as Wild Rice Harvesting,
Manitoba Indian Agriculture programs.
Premier
Doer stated that their approach would be to try and move more resources back
through TLE Agreements, and within the Treaties and Title Rights, more needs to
be done. It is a big issue and an area
that he would be willing to further look into.
MKIO
Grand Chief Sydney Garrioch spoke to four areas of concern: the 2006 AIP on Natural Resources, a western
route and accessibility to remote communities, the outstanding issues on hydro
claims that still need to be dealt with along with destruction and damage of
traditional territories in Fox Lake First Nation and Cross Lake issues on NFA (and extended an invitation
to Premier Doer to attend a meeting on NFA); and railroad lines within the First
Nations and their traditional lands.
Premier
Doer stated there is representation on the Hydro Board which ensures First
Nation concerns and issues are addressed.
The destruction and disturbing at Fox Lake First Nation will be addressed. Due to the Party Leaders Debate scheduled for
May 10th, he can’t attend the meeting regarding
Concerns
regarding changes for the Dakota-Ojibway Police Service and management of Regional
Health Boards and their predetermination of decisions and limited access to health
services in rural areas do not take into account the population increases.
Premier
Doer agreed more should be done on Diabetes Prevention Programs and there
should be more dialysis unit centres. Regarding
the Regional Health Boards, his government inherited what was established. There is a 10 Year Review of the RHB and he welcomed
feedback. Regarding policing, he
supports more policing on First Nations and an extension on existing Agreement.
Comments
were expressed on resources and revenue sharing and Treaties 1-11 covering a
vast area of land in
In
closing, Premier Doer thanked AMC Grand Chief for the invitation to address the
Manitoba Chiefs-In-Assembly and thanked the Chiefs for this opportunity.
Grand
Chief Ron Evans thanked Premier Doer and presented him with tobacco and wished
him well on the campaign.
OPENING
CEREMONIES
- Grand Entry by the Dakota
Hotain Drum Group,
- Opening Prayer by Elder
Albert Taylor,
REVIEW OF
AGENDA & ASSEMBLY RULES BY CHAIR DAVID SPENCE
- Review of Agenda. Recommended changes include:
o
Day 1: Liberal Candidate Address by Clarice Wilson,
Rolling River First Nation during Lunch;
and 4:00 p.m. Jurisdiction and By-law discussion by Chiefs
o
Day 2: Personal Care Homes & Licensing by Chief
David Crate
o
Day 3: 10:30 a.m. Eastside Transmission (Bi-Pole
III) Presentation by Elijah Harper; Pickerel Narrows Presentation by Headman
Leslie Baker; Tribal Council Investment Group Presentation by Chief Roger Ross;
First Nations Strategic Position Paper for Provincial Election – AMC
- Review of
Chiefs-In-Assembly Rules & Procedures
Moved
By: Chief
Billyjo De La Ronde, Pine Creek Anishinabeh Nation
Seconded
By: Chief David Crate,
Motion #1 – to adopt
the agenda for the AMC Chiefs-In-Assembly on May 8-10, 2007 as amended and
rules and procedures as reviewed.
Motion
Carried.
WELCOMING
REMARKS
Host Chief Ken Whitecloud,
Greetings
and welcome to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.
Regional Chief
Good
morning to the Elders, Leadership, citizens of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and
the youth. She thanked Elder Frank Tacan and Dakota Hotain Singers for the
beautiful song and honor provided to the Leadership for the work they do on
behalf of our people. The Flag Song
means a lot to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation - the song is based on what the warriors
contributed to our country. The theme of
this conference is “Economic Development” and as Leaders we will be talking
about how to move ahead and what we can do on economic development both at home
and outside of our communities. We hope to
see all of the leadership at this evening’s Networking Reception at the
Keystone Centre. She attended a function
on behalf of Chief John Thunder of Buffalo Point First Nation and there are exciting
things happening on economic development.
Grand Chief Ron Evans, AMC
Good
morning Elders, youth, Regional Chief Whitecloud, Grand Chief Garrioch and all
of the Chiefs. He thanked the Elder for the
pipe ceremony, the Elder for the opening prayer and the Dakota Hotain Singers
for their songs. It is crucial for the Chiefs
of Manitoba who are faced with issues affecting the Treaty Rights and it is
Leadership who must ensure the federal government upholds their fiduciary
obligations to First Nations people. He thanked
the AMC staff for organizing the Chief’s Assembly and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
for hosting.
OVERVIEW OF
Grand Chief Ron Evans, AMC provided a power point presentation on the First
Nations role in the development of past and present economies that focused on 4
topics: First Nations History; Manitoba
Economic History; First Nation Economic Development; and Future Economic
Development. First Nations have an
important role within the traditional trapping territory, fishing industry and agriculture
industry. It is important to develop
programs for business development, training, environment, management, finance
and marketing. Within agriculture there
must be a review and analysis of the current agriculture programs at the
federal, provincial and private sector levels.
First Nations must establish working relationships with governments and
other partners to address the historical and contemporary issues and concerns. INAC must reinstate the First Nation
Agriculture Program and commit to new and substantial dollars. It is important for First Nations to get
involved in the Mining industry, Hydroelectric Development Projects, Forestry
industry. The overall benefits to First
Nations would include employment, training, paved highways and all weather
roads. First Nations will need to
develop strategic plans for effective education and training programs,
management skills programs, financial and technical services training, economic
occupational skills training, planning for successful businesses, resource
development projects, land use plans and identifying new products and
services. It is crucial to work together
as stewards of the land and ensure First Nations have access to the Natural
Resources as envisioned by our forefathers.
He
concluded his presentation by inviting all Chiefs and official delegates to
attend the Networking Reception this evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Pioneer
Lounge, Brandon Keystone Centre. The
reception allows opportunity for Chiefs to network with
DIAND
ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
John McKennirey, ADM-INAC HQ provided a power point presentation focusing on four
topics: current resources annual grants
and contributions, investments, status of aboriginal economic development, reports
and studies and themes.
Current Resources is a total of $120.5 M with the following breakdown: $25 M ABC for First Nation Metis & Inuit for Business Development and
$13 M (First Nation, Metis & Inuit) for AFIs; $54 M to INAC for (CEDP-CEDOs)
and $28.5 M (First Nation, Inuit) for CEOP/CSSP proposals.
ABC Investments – National contracts allocation is 69% for
off-reserve and 31% for on-reserve and the
Status:
In
Reports and Studies and Themes: Based on the comprehensive review, they conducted an analysis
of what is happening at the federal, provincial and First Nation levels including
an analysis of all studies and the outcome is many were referred to education,
governance and leadership, capacity development; lands and resources, Indian
Act problems which all required to be sorted in different categories and
establish key themes called Economic Enablers
that includes Assets {consultation
& accommodation, claims, lands and resources} Employment/Learning {education, training/HR development} Infrastructure {economic infrastructure,
housing, water, etc.}; Economic Climate
Issues that includes Regulatory
Context {Indian Act, First Nation CIDA, First Nation MA}, Fiscal Policy {FNFA, FNTP}. There are nine major studies (i.e. RCAP,
Senate, etc), nine important studies (venture capital, business costs) and
other reports with a total of 362 recommendations with total findings of 481. These reports and studies are available upon
request.
Discussion, Question & Answer
Session
A quote
from the 1971 book Wahbung “without economic regeneration, the tasks of
education and development face almost insurmountable barriers as the rest of
society stretches its lead to even greater lengths than presently exist.”
It is important for the Manitoba Indian Agriculture Program and Northern Lodges
Association program to be reinstated to First Nations to assist with economic
development programming.
Concerns
were expressed with INAC’s pan-Aboriginal approach and questions were raised on
how INAC’s new sector would ensure there is ongoing funding specific to First
Nations.
Mr.
McKennirey stated the ABC program will operate according to same terms and
conditions and this program was never First Nation specific. AFN and the Senate Committee report advocates
for different channels of funding for different groups.
A
comment was made in the 1990’s, there was a CEDO report completed and the ADM
was questioned if he familiar with the report and its findings and if he was
aware of increases to CEDO dollars.
Mr.
McKennirey stated there are no changes to funding of CEDO’s with $54 M for programming
and how the dollars are managed is up to First Nations. It is important for the First Nations to
strengthen community capacity to develop an investment strategy. Funding is limited. He is not familiar with the 1990 CEDO report or
the recommendations but will respond at a later time.
Concerns
were expressed on the limited resources for CEDO’s and suggestion was made that
perhaps dollars should be enhanced at the Tribal Council level so they can assist
First Nation CEDO’s.
A
question was posed as to the amount of economic dollars targeted for First
Nations goes to the Province.
Mr.
McKennirey stated he is unsure, however,
A
question was asked if a data base is available for all incoming proposals and
identification of the funded and unfunded proposals.
Mr.
McKennirey stated they do track all proposals and yes there are proposals not
funding due to lack of dollars and yes we do keep a history of incoming
proposals and HQ is informed of this.
A concern
was expressed on the allocation for Treaty Indians for economic development as
compared to the amount for social assistance programs and those in power must
make positive changes so there is an equal balance. Minister Prentice’s absence was raised as Economic
Development should be one of his priority areas.
Mr.
McKennirey apologized for the Minister not being present and stated Minister
Prentice is committed to developing a new strategy and plan of action for
economic development for presentation to his Cabinet.
Grand
Chief Evans thanked the ADM for attending.
Lunch
Break – Blessing of Food by Elder Albert Taylor
ADDRESS BY
HUGH MCFAYDEN – PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER
Mr.
McFayden thanked the Manitoba Chiefs for allowing him the opportunity to
address Chiefs during the provincial election campaign. The PC Party is in the process of developing a
framework and is committed to working with First Nations on education, skills
training, economic development, healthy communities, including every area in
regards to housing. First Nations must
have the same opportunities as any other Manitoban. Should we form the next
Discussion and Question & Answer
Session
A
concern was expressed on the lack of respect shown by the former Filmon
government in regards to the historic Treaties and jurisdictional issues.
Mr.
McFayden stated with any new incoming government, they must be prepared to work
in cooperation with First Nations to ensure Treaties are respected, including
implementation of all other agreements such as TLE.
Comments
were made on the issues of jurisdiction, sovereignty and the PC Party’s position
on the Appeal launched by the Doer government regarding smoking on First Nation
lands.
Mr.
McFayden stated to govern as per the rules of law and where there are decisions
to be made, they should be done in accordance with law.
David
Harper, the First Nation candidate running in the Swan River Riding was wished well
in his campaign.
A
concern was expressed on the historic Treaties that are bilateral and are agreements
between two Nations, the First Nations and the Crown; the province must stay
outside of those Treaties and must honor and respect discussions between the
Indians and Minister Prentice.
A question
on the PC Party’s position on repeat offenders – 70% are in the institutions
are of Aboriginal descent.
Mr.
McFayden stated that organized criminal activity – major or minor (will have
access to legal aide); agree we need legal aide assistance but must use monies more
wisely.
In
the Island Lake area there are many social and economic issues with many needs
for increases to Policing, Elders Care
homes, Treatments Centres, etc. and if they have looked to other Regions i.e. the
NAN model in Ontario for effective changes and what was their position on the Accord
signed with the current government.
Mr.
McFayden stated he toured the
Grand
Chief Evans thanked Mr. McFayden for his address.
CLARICE
WILSON – ROLLING RIVER FIRST NATION – LIBERAL CANDIDATE (RUSSELL CONSTITUENCY)
Expressed
greetings to the Elders, Chiefs and citizens.
She is a member of the Rolling River First Nation and works as the Healthy
Community Coordinator. She urged the
Leadership to mobilize their citizens to vote on May 22 in the Provincial
Election. She especially thanked Elder
Taylor for his wise words this morning and comments to support and work
together. She is here to listen to the
Manitoba Leadership speak on their concerns and plans for their communities. A major goal for her is to teach the Liberal Party
about First Nation issues, the true history of First Nations people and ensure First
Nations have a voice. In closing she thanked
everyone for their hard work in their respective communities with a special
thank you expressed to Chief Shannacappo in supporting the youth and ensuring they
succeed at
RESOURCE
BASED ECONOMY AND TREATIES
Grand
Chief Evans introduced Paul Fritz, Lawyer who made a presentation to the January
2007 Chiefs Assembly at the request of Chief Nelson and due to time constraints,
his presentation was cut short. AMC has
been in discussions with him on how to implement the resolution passed at the
Executive Council of Chiefs meeting of April 4, 2007. The Rally held April 24th did not have
as good as a turn out as hoped and thanked those who attended. By the lack of attendance of the Manitoba
Leadership, it appears we don’t demonstrate unification as Manitoba
Chiefs. The resolution speaks to how we
implement economic leverage, develop a strategy using our Treaty Rights to our
advantage and how we move forward and make strong economies. We need to collectively deal with the issues
confronting us and develop and implement a strategy that works for all Manitoba
First Nations.
(BIO) Paul Fritz is a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River,
In
Summary, Mr. Paul Fritz presentation included the following points:
- Treaties do not
extinguish Aboriginal Title;
- First Nations have
jurisdiction on the way lands and resources are exploited;
- With Aboriginal
Title you can assert governance and governance interests and proprietary
rights;
- First Nations have
to take their rights and take a position that includes revenue sharing;
- First Nations don’t
have absolute sovereignty with regard to their lands and resources because
they must still have a permit to hunt, fish, etc.
- The governments –
the Executive Level (comprised of Ministers) have the power to consult and
accommodate because of s. 35;
- First Nations can
now regulate and set standards on environmental issues, which projects can
happen on traditional lands and create regulatory procedures and policies
– Courts will not overrule
- With all past grievances
on land claims in the past 15 years, there is a new day for accommodation
and consultation and this can be used on land claims. Both levels of governments must treat us
in accordance to these Court Cases and if not, go to court.
Discussion, Question & Answer
Session:
Discussion
was held on Aboriginal Rights and clarified that the governments must consult
and accommodate First Nations.
Mr.
Fritz was asked if he could assist First Nations in moving forward with the
concept of resource sharing as it has never been challenged in a Court of law
and it was stated that revenue sharing and respecting traditional land use is Aboriginal
title.
Chief
Nepinak provided a power point presentation that consisted of an overview of:
- Project Review
Committee – mandate, terms of reference, organizational structure &
members,
- Community Support
Services Program (CSSP) – in 2006, INAC introduced a new initiative to
economic development to increase economic development capacity.
- Overview of MEDAC activities.
- MEDAC will review
the three reports and prepare a Summary Report for all Chiefs
- The Report will
provide recommendations within four distinct sections:
- Making Economic
Development a Priority
- Developing
Organizational Capacity
- Improving Access to
Financial Resources
- Improving Access to
Lands and Resources
- Next Steps:
- MEDAC will meet in
May to review the findings in the three reports
- MEDAC will prepare
Summary Reports for the Chiefs
- The Committee will
develop a list of recommendations for moving forward on the initial
findings of the First Phase
Discussion Questions & Answer
Session:
A question
was raised if there will be a strategy devised to get more dollars for EDOs. The location, study of market analysis, and
hopefully the
Mr.
Cramer agreed to the comments. That you
need marketing, management and money (three M’s of business) or it will
fail. In terms of the EDO’s, everyone
acknowledged there is not enough dollars for qualified
A
question on whether or not there will be specific programs designed for the
computers?
Mr.
Cramer stated initially there will be standard software. New printers and computers were purchased for
each First Nation and are on route. It
has been a hectic three months. The
issue was we got word of the new funding CESP last summer and the Committee met
to decide on the course of action to ensure there was a benefit to all First
Nations and it was decided on the 4 priority areas. INAC asked for a proposal and once approved
it was mid-November and we moved from there.
This is the first year of the new program introduced in the middle of
the new fiscal year with $395K for the Project.
We were lead to believe that the money was to be used in a collective
fashion for future development to better improve things. MEDAC decided to do the workshops and get
feedback from the grassroots on what was happening. The funding for this fiscal year was at the
same level.
FIRST NATION
ENERGY COMPANY CONCEPT (MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS ENERGY COMPANY INITIATION - MFNEC)
Ian
Cramer, Senior Business Advisor, AMC provided a power point presentation
focusing on:
- Energy as a Business
in
- Examples of First
Nations Energy Businesses – New & Planned
- Potential 33%
ownership in 200 MW, Wuskatim hydroelectric project
- $1 B project
- One of the largest
projects with First Nation ownership to date
- A few advantages of
First Nations working together:
- Collectively, more
influence on the Province and Crown Corporations
- Combine knowledge
and strengths of all owners
- Combine financial
and other resources
- Stronger voice
- Develop a
reliable stream of own source revenue for economic development growth
and development
- Concept for First
Nations Energy Co. for
- Opportunities,
Business Possibilities and Economics
- Electric Energy
Generation, Wind Energy, Bio-mass, Transmissions, Bio-diesel, Oil and gas
pipelines, Energy Conservation, Ethanol/Nuclear/Solar/ Hydrogen
- Benefits of MFNEC
- A strong, unified
entity to lead First Nation participation in energy projects, greater
participation in more projects that are sound and long term investments,
employment, economic development, increase influence on policy
directions, leadership and direct involvement in environment management,
develop a critical mass of skills and expertise;
- Prerequisites for
Success; and
- Next Steps
- Investigate/establish
- Best legal
structure, ownership, governance model and policies, business model and
initial opportunities
o
Move forward – it
is for consideration
RESOLUTION
MAY-07.01 RE: MANITOBA FIRST NATION
ENERGY CO. – AMC PRESENTATION DATED MAY 8, 2007
Moved
By: Chief
Harvey Nepinak, Skownan First Nation
Seconded
By: Chief
David McDougall, St. Theresa Point First Nation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AMC Chiefs-In-Assembly direct the Grand
Chief and the AMC to access funds to develop this Energy Concept into a formal
business plan including more detailed investigation of short, intermediate and
long-term business opportunities; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the AMC provide more detailed information on
the progress of the business plan of the Manitoba First Nation Energy Company at
a future AMC Chiefs’ Assembly that an equitable profit sharing formula be
included in the business plan within the 2007-08 fiscal year; and
FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED, that AMC will table the Business Plan for the
Chiefs-In-Assembly consideration “when it is ready” to ensure it does not
negatively impact other First Nation energy partnerships or initiatives.
Discussion and concerns on the
Resolution:
- Competing for the
same resources;
- A First Nation entity
deciding on which First Nation receives resources;
- A percentage of the dividends
be allocated to those First Nations who are in support;
- First Nations as
stewards of the land must remember the importance of purification
ceremonies and respect for the land and environmental concerns;
- AMC should not create
“their own entity” as this can create another potential “runaway” entity;
- AMC must lobby on
behalf of First Nations or Tribal Councils for economic opportunities and
enhancement of funding;
- $4 K was already
spent on this concept;
- AMC is taking
economic development dollars away from First Nations;
- Where will the money
come from for the development of a Business Plan and Feasibility Study.
Resolution passes with 19 in favor, 5
against and 1 Abstaining.
Mr.
Miles provided a power point presentation focusing on the following areas:
- Increasing training,
employment and career opportunities for Aboriginal people;
- Promote and pursue
business relationships with Aboriginal companies;
- Income opportunity;
- Opportunities existing
with the new projects of Wuskwatim, Keeyask and Conawapa;
- Purchasing of Wind
Power (300 MW) to develop wind farms in
- Review of Partnership
Structure on the Wuskwatim Project Development Agreement.
- Important Factors
and outcomes include strong leadership and vision, strategic community
economic development plans, access to capital, markets and management
expertise, good governance and management, transparency and accountability
and positive relationships between a community’s business and political
leaders.
- Advice in pursuing
economic development activities include early in the planning stage, First
Nations should sort out their own interests in Aboriginal economic
development activities, desired outcomes, preferred processes, develop
strategies for improving intercultural communications and relationships,
identify challenges and promote understanding and respect of Aboriginal
cultures and world views.
- Manitoba Hydro
employs 5,500; 700 are of Aboriginal ancestry with 240 in the North and is
38%.
Discussion, Question & Answer
Session:
A question was asked on the status of the Point