SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FISCAL RELATIONS STRATEGY: BCAFN s BLACK BOOKS
ABOUT THE BCAFN: The British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) is a Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) representing the 203 First Nations in British Columbia. The Regional Chief provides the political leadership and activities for the BCAFN, and is elected by the BC First Nations Chiefs for a three year term. BCAFN is further governed by a Board of five Directors, elected to three-year staggered terms. BCAFN is one of ten regional organizations affiliated with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). The BCAFN Regional Chief sits on the AFN Executive Committee.
SESSION OVERVIEW: BCAFN s Sustainable Economic Development & Fiscal Relations Strategy BCAFN s Black Books Need, Intent, Expectations Discussion/Comments
BCAFN REGIONAL CHIEF TERRY TEEGEE: Economic Development Priorities Advocate for practical, on the ground revenue options for First Nations to sustain and grow their governance and operational needs Support community priorities regarding natural resource management, planning and decisions. AFN Economic Development National Portfolio holder Chair of Chiefs Committee on Economic Development
Why is BCAFN doing this? BCAFN Mandate: Develop and promote policies and resources for the benefit of First Nations people in British Columbia including, but not limited to, economic, social, education, health and cultural matters BCAFN Resolution 13/2017 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) TRC Call to Action # 92
UNDRIP [1/2] Article 5: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State. Article 20: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.
UNDRIP [2/2] Article 21 (1): Indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. Article 21, (2): States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities.
TRC Call to Action #92 We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation frameworkand to applyits principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following: i. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects. ii. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits fromeconomic development projects.
f SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FISCAL RELATIONS STRATEGY: Key Initiatives GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT: FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, MUNICIPAL DATA MODERNIZATION CLUSTERING OPPORTUNITIES BLACK BOOKS REGIONAL SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS BCAFN/BCBC MOU & CHAMPIONS TABLE ON-LINE RESOURCE CENTER & DIGITAL PORTAL INDIGENOUS BUSINESS FORUM
The Hybrid Economy Indigenous Indigenous Economy Economy Mainstream Economy Economy
BCBC BCAFN MOU Ongoing dialogue to discuss economic reconciliation Establish collaborative and constructive relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes Advance an agenda that supports shared prosperity and equality Jointly advance shared interests of economic development in BC
CHAMPIONS TABLE Membership: 11 BC business leaders and 11 Indigenous leaders. Initial members were chosen by BCBC and the BCAFN. Future vacancies will be filled by a sub-committee of the Champions Table Supported by a Secretariat, along with staff from BCBC and BCAFN f Develop concrete solutions Prepared to have the difficult conversations necessary to build relationships
Window of Opportunity New Fiscal Relationship with Canada BC Government committed to revenue sharing (gaming), implementing UNDRIP and TRC Calls to Action
LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM EXPECTATIONS In the long-term, where will this work be housed? Creation of economic development Council?
THE BLACK BOOKS A Comprehensive Economic Development Toolkit
BCAFN GOVERNANCE TOOLKIT Building on the Governance Toolkit A Guide to Nation Building Available on the BCAFN website Black Books
THE NEED: Research BCAFN Regional Dialogue Sessions Economic Development Community Survey 1) Chief and Council 2) Economic Development Manager (First Nation Staff) 3) Economic Development Corporation Manager 4) Community Member Entrepreneurs Diverse Responses Rural and Urban First Nations Varying level of economic development experience and capacity
Key Survey Results Key Economic Sectors or drivers in your community Mining; Forestry; Tourism; Construction; Retail; Services Identified Roadblocks/Shortfalls/Gaps Lack of Management Capacity to manage projects Capacity to design, plan, and assess feasibility of initiatives Lack of cohesive focus or priorities among leadership Training and mentoring Lack of funding for economic development staff Government support funding Lack of minimal land base
Key Survey Results (con t) How do you measure success? Create new community jobs Create new community enterprises Where do economic opportunities come from? From parties outside your community who approach you Proposed by Chief and Council Government or regional contracts or proposals and projects Heard from a number of respondents in the survey and in person that there is a need for a resource that has everything in one place and can be accessible by Chief and Council, Economic Development Corporations, Economic Development Managers, and Entrepreneurs
PURPOSE Provide information and tools for Indigenous communities, governments, staff, economic development corporations, and entrepreneurs to grow a First Nation s economy
BLACK BOOKS STRUCTURE Four Parts: Part 1: First Nations Economic Development Guide Part 2: Chief and Council Including Economic Development Officer/Manager Part 3: Economic Development Corporations Part 4: Indigenous Businesses and Entrepreneurs Each part will contain resources, templates and tools applicable to each audience
BLACK BOOKS CONTENT Part 1 First Nations Economic Development Guide History of Indigenous Economic Development Indigenous Economics: Investment Climate, Competitiveness Current Trends and Growth of Indigenous Economic Development Effective Vehicles for Indigenous Economic Development Marketing and Branding Financial Management
BLACK BOOKS CONTENT (con t) Part 2 Resource Toolkit for Chief and Council The Economic Development Process Vehicles for Indigenous Economic Development for Chiefs and Councils Measuring Progress and Success Learning from Successful Examples Roles and Responsibilities Opportunity Assessment Delivering Services
BLACK BOOKS CONTENT (con t) Part 3 Resource Toolkit for Ec Dev Corporations Design, Structure and Creation of an Indigenous Ec Dev Corp Roles and Responsibilities Investment and Partnership Lines of Reporting and Communications Funding Resources for the Ec Dev Corp Measuring Progress and Success
BLACK BOOKS CONTENT (con t) Part 4 Resource Toolkit for Indigenous Businesses and Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs Self-Assessment Identifying and Assessing Opportunities Planning and Due Dilligence Market Research Funding Entrepreneurship Operations Marketing and Promotion
NEXT STEPS Continue to incorporate feedback from Regional Dialogue Sessions and Economic Development Community Survey Currently undertaking the drafting of the Black Books content Engage identified economic development practitioners and experts in a Peer Review Finalize and publish online
BCAFN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PORTAL
BCAFN ONLINE RESOURCE CENTRE