Canadian Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy

"This volume explores Indigenous measures of economic development in First Nations Atlantic Canadian communities that are of relevance for First Nations peoples. Many of the challenges faced by these communities and their local, regional and national leaders in advancing economic development relate to experiences of diverse and complex issues - most of which clash with federal policies that increasingly call for centralization, standardization and uniformity. This volume illustrates the key challenges in establishing and maintaining socially responsible economic development that is beneficial for Aboriginal communities."--Pub. desc.

Wuttunee states: "As Aboriginal peoples, we may not want to completely mirror mainstream business choices. We may choose to bring emotion, spirit, and caring in addition to strong business skills. We may choose a package of strategies that in the end provides balance in ways that vary across Aboriginal nations but maintains an integrity that is not often seen in the business world."

The Program is designed to work in partnership with aboriginal entrepreneurs to help them develop independent and viable businesses in all parts of Canada. This document explains how to access and take advantage of the opportunities afforded under the Program.

Outlines an approach to Australian Aboriginal economic development based on the Canadian experience; overview of the broad historical similarities between the Canadian and Australian indigenes.

Indigenous peoples are an intrinsic part of countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, USA, India, Russia and almost all parts of South America and Africa. A considerable amount of research has been done during the twentieth century mainly by anthropologists, sociologists and linguists in order to describe, and document their traditional life style for the protection and safeguarding of their established knowledge, skills, languages and beliefs. These communities are engaging and adapting rapidly to the changing circumstances partly caused by post modernisation and the process of globalization. These have led them to aspire to better living standards, as well as preserving their uniqueness, approaches to environment, close proximity to social structures and communities. For at least the last two decades, patterns of increased economic activity by indigenous peoples in many countries have been viewed to be significantly on the rise. Indigenous People and Economic Development reveals some of the characteristics of this economic activity, 'coloured' by the unique regard and philosophy of life that indigenous people around the world have. The successes, difficulties and obstacles to economic development, their solutions and innovative practices in business - all of these elements, based on research findings, are discussed in this book and offer an inside view of the dynamics of the indigenous societies which are evolving in a globalised and highly interconnected contemporary world.

This study examines the historical context of aboriginal (Indian, Métis, Inuit) socio-economic development in Canada, depicts current trends and future developments, offers models for the formulation of successful development strategies and looks at longterm prospects, and serves as a text for those studying the field for the purpose of professional training.