Volume 8, Number 1, Fall 2012

EN:

This paper outlines the workings of two quite different contemporary approaches to settlements and agreements with First Nations by hydro companies and governments involved in hydro dam construction. The first is the equity approach used by Manitoba Hydro in negotiations with the Nisichawayasikh Cree Nation (NCN) in which the First nation is effectively offered joint ownership of the dam and a share in future income streams and in employment and construction benefits. The second approach is that by the James Bay Cree of northern Quebec who eschew dam ownership, instead negotiating an annual share in revenues generated by hydro, forestry and mining. Both approaches constitute major improvements over disastrous earlier approaches which can be summarized as 'flood now and talk later', but they carry quite different economic. Political and governmental terms as well as quite different potential benefits and risks. This paper examines the background behind each deal and the way in which they operate. It concludes by arguing that each deal was conditioned by circumstances and history. There is, however, clear merit in Aboriginal People seeking to secure maximum control over and benefit from all sources of economic development on their traditional lands.

EN:

Numerous historical and current factors have combined to influence the economic and social prosperity of Aboriginal peoples. This paper reviews the contrary governmental and Aboriginal perspectives of the history of the last few hundred years and provides an overview of the current situation in Aboriginal communities in North America. This is followed by a discussion of economic and social development factors taken from qualitative and quantitative studies found in the literature. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are provided.

EN:

Employment is an important indicator of economic development. The Aboriginal employment rate in Canada increased to 55.8 in 2011, from 53.7 in 2010. This was an increase of 19,700 jobs. It increased more for Aboriginal men than for women in 2011. The strong relationship between higher levels of education and employment highlights a clear path for improving employment rates. Ontario experienced the greatest increase in employment with 8,800 new Aboriginal jobs in 2011, with employment growing in every province except Prince Edward Island, where it was flat. It was basically stable in the three territories. The sectors experiencing the greatest increases in employment were in retail trade and in manufacturing.

EN:

This article focuses on the need for business education that is relevant to Aboriginal youth and senior leaders. It describes Ch'nook, an organization that provides support for post-secondary Aboriginal business education across three generations of participants. First, senior Aboriginal leaders and entrepreneurs who need business training (Aboriginal Management Certificate Program); second, post-secondary students enrolled in British Columbia (and soon Canada) by providing them with scholarships, bursaries, mentoring and internship opportunities (Indigenous Business Education Network/Ch'nook Scholars); and, third, it promotes business as a viable career option for Aboriginal high school students (Ch'nook Cousins). Ch'nook's efforts led to the signing of the British Columbia Indigenous Business Education Accord with the province's twenty-five colleges and universities and it has a cooperative agreement with four British Columbia universities. Ch'nook supports Aboriginal students in part by supplementing their studies with a strong Aboriginal perspective and context, which is often missing from their home institution's business programs. Working with community, business, and academic partners, Ch'nook promotes business as a viable career choice for Aboriginal participants and supports them in graduating from management and business education studies.