Economic Reconciliation
The goal of economic reconciliation is to ensure mutually beneficial opportunities that aim to enhance community prosperity. In tandem with Wood Buffalo’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous community, business partners and organizations, the RMWB strongly believes economic reconciliation is fundamental to further enabling economic growth and development with Indigenous communities and businesses. Within the Municipality’s reconciliation framework, actions to increase procurement opportunities on municipal projects for qualified Wood Buffalo Indigenous individuals and businesses will support and strengthen First Nations and Métis community socio-economic development.
Recognizing the unique contributions of the Indigenous business sector in Wood Buffalo to a thriving regional, provincial, and national economy will continue to improve overall community and business relationships with First Nations and Métis communities to advance economic reconciliation. Development of strong and effective partnerships is critical to advancing Indigenous procurement and other key Indigenous social and economic development initiatives in the RWMB.
Call To Action 92
The fifth of the TRC’s 10 Principles of Reconciliation states that “Reconciliation must create a more equitable and inclusive society by closing the gaps in social, health, and economic outcomes that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.” TRC Call to Action 92 states, in part, 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 from economic development projects.”
While the TRC has made Call to Action 92 the domain of business, the RMWB feels that municipal governments also have roles to play in addressing this Call. Equitable access for Indigenous Peoples to jobs, business, training, and educational opportunities is not only the responsibility of the Canadian corporate sector, but also has benefits for governments. The RMWB has formally adopted TRC Call to Action 92 and is working towards developing strong relations and partnerships with First Nations and Métis communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs to begin to act on this Call. Development of an Indigenous Procurement Policy and strategy, aligned with the Municipality’s Social Procurement Program, will provide regional and local Indigenous companies with increased business and contracting opportunities on municipal projects and long-term sustainable community and economic benefits.
Indigenous Procurement Policy
As a tangible commitment to economic reconciliation and Call to Action 92, the RMWB is committed to supporting procurement of goods and services from qualified Indigenous individuals and businesses. In July 2021, Municipal Council unanimously supported motions that would lead to development of an Indigenous Procurement Policy, as well as a Social Procurement Program for the RMWB. An Indigenous Procurement Policy will include consideration of regional Indigenous businesses and potential Indigenous community economic benefits in the Municipality’s procurement practices.
Initial engagement to develop an Indigenous Procurement Policy, in conjunction with Social Procurement Program engagement, occurred in July and August 2021 with the Indigenous communities and business representatives. Further collaboration with those partners and organizations such as the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA), and local Indigenous businesses will occur in the future. Municipal Council has directed that an Indigenous Procurement Policy, a first for the RMWB, be brought forward for consideration in the first part of 2022.
Small Business Indigenous Awareness Workshop
In another direct response to Call to Action 92, on June 28 & 29, 2021, the RMWB held a two-day virtual Small Business Indigenous Awareness Workshops for the region’s small business owners, employees, and entrepreneurs. The workshops were jointly coordinated by the Athabasca Tribal Council, in partnership with McMurray Métis, the Fort McKay Métis, NAABA, the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism, Community Futures Wood Buffalo, and the RMWB. Facilitated by renowned local Indigenous awareness consultant, Holly Fortier of Nisto Consulting, 74 Wood Buffalo and province-wide participants attended the virtual events. The workshops provided attendees education on Indigenous history and the legacy of residential schools, while offering participants training opportunities, and featured interactive dialogue and a question-and-answer session on how to grow businesses through greater Indigenous cultural awareness and learnings.
Marking the first time in the RMWB that all these business partners joined together to advance Call to Action 92, the workshops were successful in identifying respectful opportunities for businesses to thrive with improved Indigenous cultural awareness; incorporating diversity into businesses through a variety of means. The Municipality continues to engage with workshop business partners and others in the region to develop additional training and awareness opportunities to build and strengthen business relationships. It is intended that more workshops will be facilitated in the coming months.
“Economic Reconciliation - The Indigenous Entrepreneurs Perspective” (September 23, 2021)
A virtual Panel of four well-known and highly accomplished Wood Buffalo Indigenous Business Leaders, facilitated by the NAABA and including a Q & A session will be held on September 23 between 6:30 - 8 p.m. Visit our Facebook event for more information.
Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table
Canada’s Indigenous economy is growing at an exponential rate. Indigenous Peoples in the country currently contribute over $30 billion annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product. In Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table, author and Indigenomics Institute , founder, Carol Anne Hilton, estimates that Canada's Indigenous economy will increase to $100 billion by 2024. Indigenomics calls for a new model of development that advances Indigenous self-determination, collective well-being, and reconciliation. Recently published in the spring of 2021, the book is essential reading for business leaders and entrepreneurs, Indigenous businesses, governments, policymakers, economists and the public-at-large.
Indigenomics is a highly recommended foundational piece about economic reconciliation and the Indigenous-led economy for those participating in the Reconciliation Challenge.
Your Challenge
Participate in the September 23thd Panel, “Economic Reconciliation - The Indigenous Entrepreneurs Perspective”. We invite you to reflect and write in your Reflections in Reconciliation Journal on what the perspectives of these Indigenous entrepreneurs have shown you about the potential of economic reconciliation in our region?
Alternatively,
Given the information here, think about how equitable access to jobs, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous people in the region can contribute to long-term, sustainable Indigenous community economic benefits and to economic reconciliation in Wood Buffalo. Please record your thoughts in your Reflections in Reconciliation Journal .
Announcing the 2021-2022 Arts Council Wood Buffalo “Art of Reconciliation”
Brought to you by the Arts Council of Wood Buffalo, the “Art of Reconciliation” will inspire discussion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in the region on the 94 TRC Calls to Action as they create art that speaks to this dialogue and reconciliation overall. Artists of all disciplines will gather once a month in various locations throughout the region and all are welcome to participate.
"My people will sleep for 100 years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back." Louis Riel
Arts Council of Wood Buffalo will announce the initiative on September 30, 2021, and it will continue during this year and into 2022. Please check the Arts Council of Wood Buffalo’s website on September 30, 2021, for full details, as well as the Reconciliation Challenge Week 6 page for an update.