"This paper focuses on the interaction between social capital and entrepreneurship in Aboriginal communities in Canada. Using statistical and interview data from three First Nations communities in northern Ontario, I examine if and how bonding networks turn into tangible resources for business development. The paper also highlights ways in which community relationships hinder entrepreneurship and turn into barriers to economic development.
"There are few works on economic development among Canada's Aboriginal. Living Rhythms offers a current perspective on indigenous economics, planning, business development, sustainable development, and knowledge systems. Using a series of cases studies featuring Aboriginal communities and organizations, Wanda Wuttunee shows that their adaptations to economic and social development are based on indigenous wisdom and experience.
"For me, it is most important that we honour the things that we as Aboriginal people can bring to the business table. I do not think that the mainstream has a lock on the best way to do business. The best way is for us to learn and share together. We have to take time to reflect on our decisions to enter into the mainstream economy. The costs and implications must be clearly understood for us in relationship to our visions that we have for our communities. That was really very nicely set up at the beginning of the conference.
"In keeping with the goal of sustainability, the First Nations of Manitoba identified a need for an investment vehicle that would allow them to participate in economic initiatives on a larger project-level than could be achieved by individual communities. By working together, they could access the capital necessary to build a capital pol that would then be available for further investment. The profits return to communities for use in whatever way they choose. The vehicle formed to meet these goals is Tribal Councils Investment Group (ICIG)"
"Seeking understanding of Aboriginal peoples' place in today's society and ultimately for the future means understanding the history that has brought us here. It is not the history that solely acknowledges the Euro-Canadian perspective that will bring this understanding but it is an holistic approach that also respects the Aboriginal world view. This strategy draws on "ways of knowing" that honor written and oral traditions and is blended with a spiritual element that promotes a full appreciation for both approaches.
"This paper provides an analysis of policy discourse as it concerns Indigenous labour market development in Northern Alberta. In the process, the authors unearth the manner in which current federal and provincial government policy obscures a long history of attempted colonial domination with respect to Indigenous peoples in Canada more generally. Typically, economic booms are spoken of as an opportunity to democratize labour opportunities, through the discourse of “partnership” and “social inclusion” in particular.
"Despite the initial impression that ecotourists are an ideal market for indigenous tourism developers, a closer examination suggests that these groups do not necessarily share similar views of the relationship between humans and nature. Conflict is likely to arise between these groups unless a greater understanding of these differences is achieved and successfully used in the planning and management of indigenous tourism developments."
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB)
Year of publication:
2006
"Research in indigenous entrepreneurship as well as women and entrepreneurship is growing. This paper presents 11 case studies on women Aboriginal entrepreneurs in Quebec, Canada. For Aboriginal peoples, small business and entrepreneurship is intimately linked to community and cultural survival. Within these communities, women assume major roles and are active participants and leaders in politics and in business. This research examines several models of entrepreneurship – traits, behavioural and environmental.
"In this article, I argue that labor researchers in North America need to engage more thoroughly with Indigenous studies if they hope to advance social and environmental justice. First, I suggest that researchers approach Aboriginal peoples’ relationships to the environment by supporting Aboriginal rights to lands and resources. Second, and related to this point, I raise the issue of the need for Aboriginal-controlled development in northern Aboriginal communities.
"This study examines employment segregation by gender and by Aboriginal ancestry within Canada's forest sector in 2001. Results show that while gender segregation was principally by occupation, segregation by Aboriginal ancestry was principally by industry sub-sector. White women were over represented in clerical occupations and Aboriginal men were over represented in woods based industries. Patterns of employment for Aboriginal women differed from those of both Aboriginal men and white women."
