Capacity Building

The First Nations-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), funded by Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, is a joint initiative between Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) that is designed to improve the relationships and enhance the capacity of participating First Nations and municipalities to engage in joint community economic development planning and initiatives. This webinar provides an overview of the CEDI program and the Stronger Together Toolkit.

"This paper will focus on the human resources challenges that face First Nations communities and their governments in rebuilding their capacity for good governance and in meeting their sovereign obligations. The vision that First Nations people see where they are self-sufficient, autonomous and significant contributors to society requires a paradigm shift for the federal government in its Indian policy.

"This report is a summary of the second of a series of symposiums organized by the Sustainable Communities Directorate of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). The purpose of the symposium was to stimulate discussion between community development experts from across the country and to explore strategies to integrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit community development principles and approaches with government programs and policies."

"Economic development is believed critical to improving quality of life in the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Utshimassit, where substance abuse, low literacy rates, and living conditions far below national standards persist. The establishment of Innu Development Limited Partnership in 1998 was a decisive move by the Innu to generate business ventures. An impact benefit agreement associated with the Voisey Bay mine project and compensation from a land claim settlement will result in needed resources and business opportunities for the Innu.

"This report provides evidence that Aboriginal women and other marginalized women can be supported more fully to participate, lead and grow self-employment initiatives and entrepreneurial enterprises in Canada."

"This study explores the question: how can Aboriginal communities foster a supportive climate for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and business start-up? The literature review finds a high degree of compatibility between the characteristics and strategies of community economic development and Aboriginal economic development. The unique aspects of Aboriginal economic development are further examined, including the history of Aboriginal communities, challenges faced, the importance of long-term approaches, cultural issues that impact Aboriginal economic development, and critical success factors.

"Post-secondary resources in this scan have been divided into three topics: Fisheries, Business, and Arts, Social Sciences and Integrative Science. The scan documents an immense number of university and college programming, Aboriginal support services, research centres, research reports and projects, and key knowledge holders who can potentially contribute to capacity building in the First Nations fisheries.

Economic development in Aboriginal communities and the social impact of economic development in those communities is of great interest to Aboriginal communities and organizations as well as government agencies interested in ascertaining which policies and practices enhance or prevent development.

"Provide training programs for young people; Increase knowledge capacity in the community; Provide long-term employment option for our future generations"