Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)

"The youth panel was founded in 2004 as there was a need to recognize and honor young Aboriginal leaders from across Canada. Once again their voices will be heard, their achievements will be shared and their challenges will be revealed! Each year Cando selects six Aboriginal youth participants from numerous nominations. The Cando Board, Conference Committee and Cando Staff thoughtfully select the youth based upon their strengths, initiatives, accomplishments, entrepreneurial spirit of launching their careers, and participation within their communities."

"Cando recognizes that providing ongoing professional development opportunities is necessary to keep EDOs abreast of the current issues affecting the economic spheres they work within. An EDO is often the primary resource in dealing with prospective business partners, elected leaders and outside third parties. This represents a shift in the EDO role from focusing on assisting existing businesses to providing higher level advice and guidance on both existing business issues and a wide range of new opportunities.

"Professional Level Certification recognition is an indicator of capacity that expands on the 16 competency requirements, and incorporates on-the-job learning; an exploration of ethics, leadership, and communications; and a higher level of analysis and assessment of Aboriginal economic development theory and practice."

"Understanding the occupations is increasingly important in order to understand the results or outcomes Aboriginal EDOs are responsible for – and the skills and knowledge they require in order to perform their jobs well. This interactive tool, "Orientation to the Occupation of Aboriginal Economic Development Officer” will provide a better understanding of the Aboriginal EDO occupation."

"Following the release of the new Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development in 2009, CANDO has recognized the need to strategically align with INAC and the revised federal policy. Additionally, a comprehensive organizational review of CANDO was completed in early 2011 in which several improvement opportunities were identified. This strategic plan will address the key issues and opportunities CANDO faces as an organization, and provide a detailed guide for implementation."

"The National Indigenous Economic Education Foundation (NIEEF) provides scholarships, training and research funding for students involved in Aboriginal community economic development."

"The 11 competencies identified for the job of an Aboriginal EDO are not used only in that occupation. Some are transferable to other occupations or are used in other parts of one's life.

"To earn the Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate, candidate (student in the process) must demonstrate 16 competencies that can be earned either through post-secondary study (delivered through an accredited programs - universities and colleges across Canada), course by course match up and/or through prior learning assessment (PLA) that measures past learning and experience."

"Cando's National Certification Process is the first to be designed, developed and administered by an Aboriginal organization. The Certified Aboriginal Economic Developer Process is an education process specifically designed to meet the needs of Economic Development Officers (EDOs) working across Canada. It provides a uniform knowledge base and skill set for all individuals currently fulfilling or wishing to work in the field of Aboriginal economic development."

"EDOs say the 16 competencies are the ones they believe to be the most common and important to their work. They are the primary areas of knowledge and skills that are needed to do the job well. Although the majority of EDOs involved with developing this process feel capable of doing their jobs, almost all said that there are areas that they need to improve their competence in some areas. They felt that having a more detailed description of the competencies was a big help in thinking about their professional development as well as their job requirements."