Economic
cooperation

By Dene Skylar

The NWT Aboriginal Business Conference: Establishing Economic Cooperation, a conference on northern business and workforce development continued its effort to provide common ground for industry, governments and organizations to advance their collective economic development interests. In the spirit of economic cooperation, Aboriginal youth, Elders, business leaders and governments came together with industry to share, learn and network their way into new economic cooperation understandings.

Yellowknives Dene First Nations Chiefs Eddie and Fred Sangris welcomed delegates to the conference which was held in Yellowknife (Samba Ke) on Akaitcho Dene Traditional Territory. Chief Fred Sangris, who took time out from his traditional fall harvest to attend the conference, stated, “….we want to be independent and work with Canada. We want to be able to pay our own way. There is one agenda for all of us and that is to get our economic development going.”

The Chiefs encouraged participants to explore relationships that advance economic development. Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem added, “Canada’s North is Canada’s future! This is one conference that gets better each year. It is good to see the youth involved.” Darrell Beaulieu, President and CEO of Denendeh Investments Inc., stated, “The whole purpose of this conference is to establish economic cooperation. We encourage everyone to share ideas, encourage the spirit of economic cooperation and help each other grow in prosperity.”

Tlicho Dene Drummers at 2008 NWT ABC.
Photo: Dene Skylar

The conference started with a Youth Pre-Conference Workshop that included facilitator Robb Campre, Aboriginal actor and motivational speaker Dakota House along with Aboriginal Best Selling Author Calvin Helin. The youth were inspired by these incredibly talented speakers to engage their inherent potential. The youth enjoyed first hand experiences and participated in hands on learning. Dakota House put on an incredible talk with hands on demonstrations that taught youth how to advance their inherent potential. Calvin Helin provided a phenomenally clear and heart opening picture of the historic experience of Aboriginal relations in Canada but grounded this experience on the hope of tomorrow, which to him is a new relationship built on respect, trust, acknowledgement of the past but more importantly meaningful engagement for a better future for all.

CKLB Radio broadcast the event across Denedeh (Mackenzie Valley) and the world via internet with the assistance of two Dene youth radio trainees.

Participants were treated to excellent northern hospitality and food. Some of the talented performers included: The Tlicho Dene Drummers, Inuvik (Inuvialuit) Drummers and Dancers, Métis Fiddle sensation Lee Mandeville, a Dene Hand Games demonstration and much more. The incredibly talented and beautiful Brenda Chambers of Brenco Media provided exceptionally professional service as a host during the conference sessions.

Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band and Cara Lenior, BC Hydro Aboriginal Procurement Coordinator at NWT ABC 2008.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Renee Goldtooth, Manager of Leadership and Management Programs, Native Nations Institute, University of Arizona. Renee shared some inspirational experiences that are revitalizing the cultural traditional leadership practices of the Dene peoples of Arizona. She used video technology to share first hand experiences of Dene youth actively engaging traditional and contemporary leadership practices. The success of these programs is compounded through action that is motivating, encouraging and promoting the inherent leadership talent of Dene youth -the leaders of tomorrow.

Calvin Helin, Author, Businessman and Lawyer also provided a very informative overview of the current state of Aboriginal affairs in Canada. He used the messages from his pivotal landmark book, “Dances with Dependency,” to explain how Aboriginal peoples across Canada were systematically taken from full self-sufficiency and independence to the dependency relationship that was created by federal policy as a launch pad to assist in helping people understand why the current situation exists but more importantly to talk about what it will take to restore the respectful relationship of self-reliance and cooperation.

Helin stated, “We have to be able to talk about this in a way that is respectful, honest and objective…and we must admit the problem. We have to own the problem because only then with our own self-interest can we make a difference. Money alone will not solve our problems. We have to engage in a national dialogue that has a long-term sustainable plan to measure success.”

Actor and Humanitarian, Tom Jackson, also delivered a passionate presentation encouraging people to engage economic cooperation as a base for advancing First Nations and Canada’s interests.

Catherine Twinn, Aboriginal Lawyer with the Sawridge First Nation, Treaty 8 provided a presentation that told the story of her peoples’ successes in engaging economic development. From hotels to a diverse range of business initiatives, the Sawridge First Nations are leading the way in creating economic development opportunities for their people and Canadians to benefit from.

Keith Martell, Chairman, First Nations Bank of Canada provided a presentation that demonstrated how the First Nations Bank of Canada is providing a full service financial institution developed by First Nations for the benefit of First Nations. From its founding in 1996 this unique First Nations Bank now has over 9000 customer accounts, branches in Saskatoon, Chisasibi, Walpole Island, Winnipeg, Whitehorse and one opening in Meadow Lake in 2008. Martell shared facts that were encouraging: 70% of their employees are Aboriginal, products are developed for Aboriginal people, there is a long-term commitment to the Aboriginal economy, Asset Growth is sound, profitable growth is continuing, 2007 actual results exceeded the forecast, 91% ownership in FNB of Canada is owned by “like-minded” groups of Aboriginal shareholders from across Canada, the Gwich’in Tribal Council is an important leading shareholder of the Bank and numerous other encouraging facts.

Ed Shultz, Executive Director, Council of Yukon First Nations also provided a current update on economic development initiatives in the Yukon. He expressed the importance of cooperation, collaboration and establishing solid economic development initiatives.

Northwest Territories Premier Floyd K. Roland addressed the Northern Aboriginal Business Association and encouraged all to continue in the spirit of economic cooperation. Premier Roland shared his experiences as a former owner of a small tourism business and reflected on how this helped him to understand the strong work ethic and commitment required to establish a successful business.

“I encourage you all to continue working together to share your ideas and to establish successful economic development initiatives,” stated Premiere Roland.

Minister of ITI Bob McLeod also addressed delegates – speaking to the growing track record cord of Aboriginal partnerships that are helping to build the economic foundations of the NWT’s future.

Aboriginal Pipeline Group LP, President Bob Reid provided an update on his groups’ business initiative to own the massive Mackenzie Gas Pipeline. Reid pointed out the challenges which include a long regulatory process, current market demand factors, and other factors but he remained optimistic that the MGP would move forward to provide long lasting benefits and opportunities to the Aboriginal owners and to Canada.

In a demonstration of the spirit of economic cooperation, Canadian Zinc Corporation and the Liidlii Kue First Nations signed a cooperation agreement to cooperate and work together with respect to the proposed Prairie Creek Mine. Chief Kenya Norwegian spoke to delegates about the importance of engaging economic opportunities for people and communities in the Dehcho.

On the final day of the conference a unique Town Hall open discussion meeting on Aboriginal Business Policies that featured Charlie Lyall, President and CEO of Kitikmeot Corporation; Bertha Rabesca Zoe, Legal Counsel, Tlicho Government Advisor and Tlicho Investment Corporation Advisor; Danny Gaudet, President, Deline Construction Ltd; and, Richard Nerysoo, President of the Gwich’in Tribal Council – provided a rare open dialogue on internal policy development and practices of First Nations and Inuit governments and corporations. This session demonstrated that democracy is alive and advancing towards transparency, accountability, trust and service to Aboriginal citizens.

Native Journal was front and center at the event and the only national Aboriginal media organization to cover the complete event. More articles on the NWT Aboriginal Business Conference will be coming in future editions. We salute the organizers of the conference and say mahsi cho to Chiefs Fred and Edward Sangris, Darrell Beaulieu and the Northwest Territories Aboriginal Business Association for their vision and action to make economic cooperation a reality in the north and across the nation. 

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