Transcript Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly

Economic
Partnerships Portfolio
Canadian Council of Churches
May 12, 2009
Economic Partnerships
Portfolio
• Portfolio includes:
– Economic Development
– Labour Force Development
– Connectivity
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Structure
• AFN Chiefs Committee on Economic Partnerships (national)
• AFN Chiefs Committee on Human Resources Development
(national)
– Committees as above are mandated by resolution from Chiefs in
Assembly and/or by the AFN Executive Committee; reports from
the Chiefs Committees are delivered to the AFN Executive
Committee and the Chiefs in Assembly during Annual General
Assemblies, and their Special Assemblies.
• Adhoc Technical and Mandated experts groups:
- First Nation Technical Committee on Human Resources
Development
- First Nation Economic Experts Advisory Group
- Making First Nation Poverty History Committee
- First Nation Connectivity (ITCs) Technical Committee
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First Nation Economic Blue Print
• AFN Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCED)
developed, with the advice of the Economic Experts Advisory
Group, the First Nation Economic Blue Print.
• The advisory group’s assignment was to respond to a very
broad question: if there slate were clean what would they
recommend? The experts considered a response that took into
account the possibility that there would be little funding, if any,
new resources to economic development – a normally low
funded area of activity.
– Suggested four key theme areas:
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Nation Building
Economic Infrastructure (First Nation government and physical)
Labour Force Development
Resource Revenue Sharing
– Complemented by two key initiatives to help advance the
four themes, which are a Corporate Relations Strategy and
an Economic Research Table – both of which are now
active.
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Corporate Challenge
• The purpose of the Corporate Challenge is to increase
procurement, investment, and employment opportunities
with First Nations communities, citizens and businesses.
• The Chiefs Committee is examining a report card method for
this initiative.
• Since 2007, the AFN has facilitated eight (8) work relationships
with the corporate community through Memoranda of
Understanding.
• To date, more than 400 jobs held by First Nation citizens have
been facilitated through the AFN Corporate Challenge.
• Corporate partners are identifying funds to be designated for
First Nation employee training.
• Royal Bank of Canada has supported Aboriginal water issues in
Canada, through Leadership Grants (2208) as part of the RBC
Blue Water Project, a 10-year, $50 million global philanthropic
commitment to help protect freshwater.
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Corporate Challenge
• The AFN and Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
discussed establishing a work relationship with AFN
for almost two years. A MOU was completed at the
Inter-Nation Trade and Economic Summit in March.
• Corporate partners include: Siemens Canada, Bell
Canada, Labourers’ International Union of North
America, and LIUNA local 92, Prospectors and
Developers Association of Canada, Royal Bank of
Canada, Forest Products Association of Canada, and
the Mining Association of Canada.
• There are ongoing efforts to explore opportunities
with the corporate sector, which include Enbridge,
TransCanada, CN, and others.
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Economic Research Table: Making First
Nation Poverty History Committee
• The National Chief established an academic
advisory committee in support of the AFN’s
work to make poverty history. The
committee’s mandate:
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Analysis of existing data on First Nation poverty
Develop a 3-5 year agenda of research
Advise the AFN on effective evidence-based strategies
Other special assignments as required (e.g., paper on
the State of the First Nation Economy for the Internation Trade and Economic Summit)
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Committee Composition
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Dr. Fred Wien, Social Work, Dalhousie University
James Hopkins, National Aboriginal Economic Development Chair,
University of Victoria
Dr. John Loxley, Economics, University of Manitoba
David Newhouse, Indigenous Studies and Business Administration,
Trent University
Dr. Lars Osberg, Economics, Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeff Reading, Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (CIHR) and the
University of Victoria
Dr. Wanda Wuttunee, Native Studies and Asper School of Business,
University of Manitoba
1st major outcome: State of the First Nation Economy Paper and the
Struggle to Make Poverty History (March 2009)
Research Agenda has been proposed as the next discussion topic
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Inter-Nation Trade & Economic
Summit
• Event held on March 9 -11, 2009 in Toronto,
Ontario
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a multi-proponent event;
current state of the economy;
labour force development;
connectivity;
Networking opportunities;
Highlighting work under the corporate relations strategy;
and,
• the launch of First Nations and the state of the economy
research paper by the CCED’s economic research table
(also known as the Making Poverty History Committee)
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…continued
• In addition to the State of the First Nation Economy Paper being
released, the event also introduced a cooperative trade efforts
by First Nations, New Zealand Maori, and North American
Indian representatives.
• Over 800 persons attended
• More than 50 speakers registered for the event
• More than 20 corporate sponsors
• The Government of Ontario was a key sponsor from the onset.
• The report will be completed in the next two weeks.
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New Federal Aboriginal Economic
Framework
• As a result of delays caused by the federal election and a
prorogued parliamentary, announcements related to the federal
framework were changed from December 2008 to the May-June
2009.
• Five federal engagement (dialogue) events held across the country,
along with a review of research papers, were considered a first
phase of work. A second phase of dialogues will be started in the
fall to bring detail to the framework’s proposed set up and
programs.
• Based on information being shared by INAC it appears that the new
federal Aboriginal Economic Framework is primarily focused on a
series of guiding factors to “coordinate the federal family”.
• It appears the framework will address efforts to facilitate, measure,
or focus federal departments’ programs and services to better
support Aboriginal Economic Development.
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…continued
• In the first series of events, numerous First Nations participants
communicated concern over the timing of events and limited
preparation opportunity. The events were interrupted by the
federal election. This approach is supposed to be corrected for
the fall series of discussions.
• Prior to any announcement on elements to support a new
federal framework, on December 30, 2008, the federal
government announced two pilot initiatives prior to its framework
being developed: Loan Loss Reserve Fund and the Major
Energy and Resource Program. Explanations that followed were
that the federal government was acting on resources announced
in the 2008 winter budget ($20M 2008-09; $50M 2009-10)
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Human Resource Development
– 50+ First Nation AHRDAs across Canada deliver First Nation
employment, training, skill development and labour force
support services (and are instrumental in the delivery of
330$M/year in resources)
– The current strategy ends on March 31, 2010; federal officials
are requesting policy authorities to design a new successor
strategy.
– National messages on prioritizing youth, skill development
and employment have been communicated at many forums.
– First Nation technicians have recommended focusing on:
• Employment parity
• Elevating the First Nation AHRDA and federal government
relationship
• Resources enhancement
• Private Sector Engagement.
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Human Resource Development
– The First Nation Human Resources Development technical
committee along with peers participate in a Joint HRD Table
with the federal government, namely Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada.
– First Nation technicians have raised strong concerns over a
Request for Proposals (RFP) process that was proposed for
a new strategy. It appears this message has been heard, as
the proposed process has been significantly diminished. ere
has been successful movement to reduce and potentially
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Connectivity
• An ad-hoc table of technology experts met in Toronto
on March 30-31, 2009.
• The technical services advisory group participated in
the meeting.
• Their work will be presented to the CCED which
presently includes key themes and issues, a terms of
reference, and elements of a national
communications strategy to address portfolio issues
on ITC coverage in communities.
• The CCED will also be advancing work on better
equipping the First Nation e-community.
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Federal Stimulus Announcements
• $40 Billion in federal budget Jan 27 aimed at stimulus
• $20B in tax cuts and $20B in investments
• $1.4 Billion identified for “Aboriginal” projects and programs
• Numerous general investments in which First Nations would have an interest
Planned investments toward the First Nation and Aboriginal community:
• $1.44 Billion identified includes $915 Million in infrastructure construction
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$400 Million for housing
$200 Million for school construction
$165 Million for drinking water
$135 Million for health facilities
$15 Million for policing
$1.44 Billion identified also includes $525 Million in program investments
$200 Million on skills development
– $100 Million for ASEP
– $25 Million for AHRDAs
– $75 Million for new program on skills development
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$305 Million for FNIHB
$20 Million for CFS
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