Economic Partnerships

The AFN Economic Partnerships Secretariat addresses several policy areas which fall into the broad categories of Economic Development, Labour Force and Human Resources Development, Connectivity, and building Resource Revenue Options. This portion of the report will focus on the three first areas, and updates on additional areas will be provided in other sections of the Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) report.

In the recent past, over a dozen national resolutions have been passed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly dealing with portfolio interests ranging from federal strategies, economic trade cooperation, policy coordination, communications technology, taxation, certification processes and necessary economic infrastructures.

Key Issues and Activities

Economic Development

Since the July 2010 Annual General Assembly (AGA), the National Chief has spoken at a number of events and in-person meetings in support of First Nation economies. This includes a keynote speech at the September 16th Canadian Council on Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Gala Dinner in Vancouver and at a Chief Executive Officers meeting hosted by TD Bank Vice-President Frank McKenna on October 25th.

The Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCED) met at the July 2010 AGA and will meet again to continue discussions during the week of the December Special Chiefs Assembly. With funding for Secretariat activity having recently been approved, the Secretariat will be in a stronger position to bring forward items on economic cooperation, trade and policy options for CCED consideration

At the AGA, the Secretariat coordinated a First Nations and Taxation side event, as well as a First Nations and Gaming side event. Meeting summaries are available from these side events.

The Secretariat has attended a federal procurement meeting to begin exploring improvements needed for the federal strategic initiatives aimed at supporting First Nation access to contracts and provision of services. The Secretariat had a positive introductory meeting with senior federal officials playing a key role in program redesign of the procurement strategy and related programs. Since the last presentation by federal officials regarding the Federal Framework on Aboriginal Economic Development, where the CCED communicated concerns to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) on the federal framework’s development, there has yet to be a follow-up meeting. The CCED reminded INAC that with time remaining before federal designs on programs and related materials are finalized, there are still opportunities to work together to establish the necessary constructs to support First Nations economic growth.

Planning is underway for the AFN to host an Inter-Nation Mining and Energy Summit in June, 2011. The National Chief has met with Province of Ontario Ministers Brad Duguid (Energy), Michael Gravelle (Northern Development and Mines), and Chris Bentley (Aboriginal Affairs), on becoming major partners for this event. The meeting held a positive tone, and the Ministers indicated they would have their officials assess the AFN proposal. INAC has agreed to provide support to an event held this fiscal year. Private sector sponsors have also begun to communicate their interest to be involved in this event. Announcing major speakers will include highlighting the National Chief, along with Mike Holmes, Holmes on Homes, who accepted an invitation by the National Chief at the AFN AGA. The Secretariat has also begun exploratory meetings and searching for top caliber speakers and sponsors, at domestic events as well as at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) meeting in New Mexico on November 18, 2010.

The National Chief met with His Excellency Lan Lijun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Canada on October 22, 2010. The National Chief invited the Ambassador to address the Chiefs-in-Assembly at this SCA. The Ambassador expressed much interest for this invitation, however, acknowledged that he would be starting a new assignment soon. The National Chief and the Ambassador spoke of the need to begin exploring cultural exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, trade missions and creating more awareness about each other’s nations. The AFN has planned for a side event to further explore a trade mission to China and a trade mission of businesses representatives from China to First Nations.

In follow-up to the statement of partnership signed with the National Centre for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) at the AGA, the AFN and NCAIED have drafted an action plan, met monthly via teleconference and in person, identified primary projects, and drafted steering committee terms of reference. The four primary projects are focused on trade education, information development, scoping out trade policy, and a trade model. The AFN and NCAIED have begun to discuss a trade mission between First Nation and American Indian businesses.

First Nation Labour Force and Human Resources Development

As of November, 2010, First Nation Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA) holders have made the transition to begin agreements as Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) holders, with the exception of one First Nation AHRDA that continues its internal decision-making processes. ASETS was designed to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis people prepare for, find, and keep high-demand jobs into the long term. All distinct groups, regardless of status or location, may access its programs and services. These include: job-finding skills and training, programs for youth, programs for urban and Aboriginal people with disabilities, and access to child care.

 Since January 1, 2010, the AFN has been a partner on two national projects funded by the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund (ASTSIF). The objectives of these projects were to build partnering efforts and new relationships with sector councils and bridge cooperation more directly to the First Nation ASETS holders. The funding is a result of the federal government’s Economic Action Plan to stimulate the Canadian economy out of the current recession. Both projects will end on March 31, 2011.

The AFN and the Railway Association of Canada’s First Nation Railway Training and Employment Project will see at least 35 First Nation students enrolled in railway conductor courses that are being held at colleges in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. Both CN and CP have pledged to interview all graduates. In addition, 30 participants will be trained and hired into the track maintenance workforce, as well as seven Signals and Communications (S&C) workers. Railway Career Awareness kits for ASETS offices have also been developed. A website is now available at www.yourlifeontrack.ca. A Best Practices Guide for Recruitment and Retention of First Nation Railway Employees will be finalized by March 31, 2011.

The AFN and Mining Industry Human Resource Sector Council (MiHR) are developing a Ready to Mine: Mining Essentials Training Program for Aboriginal Peoples. Industry, educators, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), Métis National Council (MNC), and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) have also been involved in the development of the training standards. The AFN has taken a lead role in facilitating the research and design of the Trainer’s Guides and Learner’s Workbooks. A two-day Train the Trainer Workshop was held at the AFN on October 14-15, 2010. As of November 1^st, there are three pilot sites operating with a total of 40 students, located in Hazelton, B.C. and Pic River and Lake of the Woods, Ontario. A number of mining companies have committed to hiring the graduates. The 12-week pilot site courses will conclude by mid-February, 2011, at which time the program will be assessed and validated.   

First Nations E-Community

The Chiefs-in-Assembly mandated the AFN through Resolution 16/2008 to seek support for initiatives for the continued development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services at the community and regional levels until a comprehensive framework is in place. The AFN has continued to promote the need for a strategy on the First Nations E-Community.

On November 22-24, 2010, the AFN convened a First Nations ICT Ad Hoc Working Group meeting. The working group is comprised of First Nations ICT specialists. The meeting discussions focused on the further development of the 2007 National Strategic Framework into a First Nations E-Community Strategy. The strategy includes key components such as: First Nations infrastructure needs; sustainability of operations and maintainance; First Nations labour force/human capacity; and, corporate relations. The strategy will be presented to the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCED) for further consideration. A draft terms of reference for the ICT Ad Hoc Working Group has also been developed and will be formalized in the near future.

The AFN continues to advocate for greater attention to community connectivity requirements, and is monitoring the federal Dialogue on the Digital Strategy for Canada. The AFN also continues to monitor the recently held Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) hearings regarding connectivity and have submitted comments outlining key First Nation issues and concerns.

During the next few months, the AFN plans to develop and distribute communication materials promoting the First Nations E-Community concept amongst First Nations, federal and provincial governments, and private enterprise.

The AFN recently developed an ICT Historical Overview paper that examines information management – information technology (IM-IT) historical opportunities, connectivity issues, and barriers and sustainability issues that impede on services or show trends of impacts. The Secretariat has also developed profiles of regionally-based First Nation service providers.

Looking-Forward Agenda to Annual General Assembly – July 2011

• Coordinate economic policy planning meeting amongst organizations;
• Continue event planning and announce confirmed dates for the Inter-Nation Mining and Energy Summit;
• Coordinate activity for economic trade initiatives, research and proposals for trade missions with NCAIED and China business communities;
• Continue to work with the First Nation Technical Working Group on Human Resources Development (TWG);
• Coordinate technical meetings related to the First Nations E-Community portfolio;
• Continue to raise awareness of First Nations ICT policy issues;
• Follow-up on the First Nations E-Community Forum held in the fall 2010;
• Present business institute research/work plan to CCED;
• Continued monitoring and updates on the transition from AHRDS to ASETS; and,
• Provide an update on the projects with the MiHR and RAC.