Overall Summary Of The Session:

Workshop Methodology

Each sectoral session provided that the majority of time be allocated to breakout group where the participants were organized into the three distinct Aboriginal groupings: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. There were approximately 44 participants in the First Nations breakout group; 25 participants in the Inuit breakout group; and 29 participants in the Métis breakout group. Each of the three distinct breakout groups addressed the policy priority identified by the planning subcommittee on the agenda, although in a slightly modified order as follows:

• improving access to capital and investment;
• improving economic opportunities from lands and resource development;
• improving governance and capacity; and
• improving regulatory/legislative frameworks to facilitate economic opportunities.

As noted in the session objectives, each breakout group was also tasked with applying the crosscutting lenses to ensure that the needs and concerns of Aboriginal women, Aboriginal peoples living with disabilities and Aboriginal peoples living in urban, northern/remote situations were addressed in the discussion of issues and development of recommended actions.

Launch questions for each theme were included on the distributed agenda and posted in the breakout sessions. These questions were a guiding tool to help focus discussion on issues that support achievement of the session objectives. Facilitators used the launch questions in tandem with other process questions to support the development of recommended actions.

Each breakout group was facilitated by two co-facilitators selected from a list recommended by the five National Aboriginal Organizations during the planning process. For each theme, facilitators used a variety of facilitation exercises to maximize input and output from participants. The exercises were adapted to fit the circumstances, such as time allotment, number of participants, size of the breakout room and theme subject. In most cases, the exercises asked participants to work in smaller groupings to gain greater participation from all.

It should also be noted that each workshop day was opened and closed by three Elders representing the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Their opening and closing remarks and invocations were often instrumental in setting the tone for the workshop and participants.

Overall Summary

A clear message from all groups is that economic opportunities in all communities will be furthered if the federal government could move forward on implementing the recommendations from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the signed agreements (particularly in the North) and working as advised based on recent Supreme Court decisions (including the Haida/Taku and Powley cases).

Improved governance and capacity

The desire for Aboriginal governance in all aspects of political and economic life was evident in the discussions. The awareness that capacity needs to be greatly strengthened was also clear. A human resource strategy is required that addresses the need for skill development, education and training in board governance, management of self-government institutions, establishment of micro and small businesses, developing community economic development plans, and negotiating and lobbying for national and international law that impacts on economic opportunities. The strategy is intended to facilitate and support diverse and sustainable economies being created in the communities. Policies and programs need to be flexible to address diverse needs and to ensure inclusiveness, in particular of youth, women and people with disabilities.

Improved access to capital and investment

All three breakout groups identified the need for a legal/legislative framework that would provide First Nations, Inuit and Métis with an operating ground based on treaty rights, constitutional rights and land claims agreements. Improved access to capital and investment requires increased Aboriginal control and shared partnerships with industry and governments which in turn supports investment in infrastructure, a clear separation between political and economic opportunity in the communities, access to technology (e.g. Internet and broadband), funding, appropriate training and education, and support services to sustain and support an investment once it has been made. Current government policies, funding levels and economic approaches need some amendments as diverse needs and approaches are required.

Improving economic opportunities from lands and resource development

In any discussion around land, the starting point was clarification of jurisdiction over the land, including rights and access to resources, sub-surface and water. The management and use of the land would need to factor in the triple bottom line (as described by the First Nations group) that balances social, environmental and profit responsibilities. As such, there needs to be a sustainable management policy that protects some resources and does not deplete others without compensation or re-investment. There is a requirement to establish a broader political framework that can allow for new governance and political structures that encourage partnerships between governments, industry and Aboriginal groups who can pursue economic opportunities within this broader objective.

The Inuit breakout group took the opportunity to expand their discussion beyond lands and resources and addressed the improvements needed for Inuit entrepreneurs and community economic development.

Improving regulatory/legislative frameworks to facilitate economic opportunities

As each Aboriginal group is currently operating within an overlapping but different set of regulations and legislation, the groups had distinct responses in this area. In addition to the legislative/regulatory ideas generated in discussion of other policy priority topics (see above), there was an expressed need for streamlining regulatory policies, implementing legislation that is currently in existence, and ongoing dialogue and resolution of areas that remain unclear.

Application of the crosscutting themes

Throughout the discussions, there was a consistent message that economic opportunities need to benefit all members of the community, including women, youth, people with disabilities and members who are displaced from their geographic area or residing in remote/rural/northern areas. It was proposed in two breakout groups that a gender lenses be applied in the development and implementation of all programs and policies. Specific supports were suggested to facilitate opportunities including: childcare, transportation, support for microbusinesses, mechanisms to support shared inventory and supply costs for small businesses, designated funding, and designing training and communication to reach out to specific constituencies.

The First Nations breakout group took the time to have a specific discussion using the crosscutting lenses. The question asked was, “How will we address the economic opportunities for access to capital and access to lands and resources for the crosscutting themes?

The clear intent of the suggestions is greater participation of women, people with disabilities and youth in the formal economy. It was seen in the Métis breakout group as a human rights obligation to ensure that the socio-economic situation improves for everyone.

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The documentation contained on this website does not necessarily represent the views of any government or National Aboriginal Organization. The purpose of this website is to share information related to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable: background papers, Facilitator's sectoral and final reports, agendas and media announcements.

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