Economic Outcomes Improved Overall for Indigenous Peoples in Canada but Are Not on Track to Meet 2022 Targets of Economic Parity
Closing Socio-economic Gaps would boost Canada’s economy by $27.7B annually
Goose Bay, NL, June 10, 2019 – The 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report released today by the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) concludes that while the overall economic outcomes for Indigenous peoples are improving in Canada, this is only to varying, and sometimes small degrees. Given the pace of improvements, outcomes are not on track to meet the 2022 targets of economic parity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
“We’ve seen some of the greatest gains being made in the area of college and trades completion by Indigenous students, who now surpass the non-Indigenous population by 2.6 percentage points in 2016,” said Chief Clarence Louie, NIEDB Chairperson. “The deficit gap in median income levels has also significantly narrowed by 9.3 percentage points and the gap in high school completion rates has narrowed by 4.5 percentage points.”
The report finds that not all indicators have shown improvements, however, and not all improvements have occurred equally across the three Indigenous identity groups.
“The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment rates has remained essentially unchanged at 8.4 percentage points in 2016 and, for university completion rates, the gap actually grew to 18.8% with a 1.7 percentage point increase,” said Ms. Dawn Madahbee Leach, NIEDB Vice-Chair. “First Nations populations on reserve also continue to demonstrate persistent and sometimes worsening outcome deficits in terms of employment rates, income, and educational levels.”
The Indigenous Economic Progress Report presents a thorough, in-depth analysis of the economic realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Using 13 measures, it assesses three core indicators: employment, income and community well-being. Using 19 additional measures, it also examines five underlying indicators of economic success: education, entrepreneurship and business development, governance, lands and resources, and infrastructure.
Eleven measures are new to the 2019 progress report, such as workforce representation, enhanced income and educational attainment measures, crowding and condition of housing, and community financial certification. The 2019 report also presents the results of gender analysis and introduces two new NIEDB composite indices on Economic Development and Infrastructure.
“The gender analysis reveals some interesting findings,” said Dr. Marie Delorme, NIEDB member. “We found that Indigenous populations demonstrate greater gender parity than non-Indigenous populations. We also determined that Indigenous women would benefit more from support in the areas of employment and income, while Indigenous men would benefit more from support in education.”
The 2019 report is the second progress report issued by the NIEDB since its foundational Aboriginal Economic Benchmarking Report was published in 2012. The benchmarking report set bold targets on which to track the economic progress of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada. This includes the target to achieve economic outcome parity by 2022.
“While gaps are closing, we found that they are not on track to meet our 2022 goal,” said Chief Terrance Paul, NIEDB member-at-large. “We urge government to respond to our recommendations so we can meet these targets over the next three years.”
Among its recommendations, the NIEDB advises that policies and programming should target First Nations populations on reserve in the areas of infrastructure, employment and education. It also recommends the development of youth-focused educational supports to help Indigenous peoples finish high school and continue on to post-secondary education, as well as skills development programs to help Indigenous employees of high-wage industries increase their earning potential in higher-paying roles.
“Indigenous economic development offers huge potential to improve lives, fuel Canadian economic growth, advance reconciliation, and provide a growing young workforce to Canada’s aging labour population,” said Chief Louie. “Closing this gap would boost Canada’s economy by $27.7 billion annually.”
Inuktitut media release
Infographics:
Past Reports:
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board
Established in 1990, the NIEDB is a Governor-in-Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Composed of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Indigenous Economic Progress Reports
The NIEDB has produced two previous Indigenous Economic Reports to identify trends in the Indigenous economy in Canada over a 10-year period and to make recommendations. The 2019 report compares data from the 2006 Census and the 2016 Census. The final report is expected to be released in 2023.
National Indigenous Economic Board Appoints Co-Chair, Introduces Two New Members
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Victoria LaBillois, who on June 17, 2021, was appointed as the Board’s new Vice-Chairperson.
Ms. LaBillois has been a member of the Board since June 18, 2018. Ms. LaBillois holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick and is currently the President of Wejuseg Construction Inc.
Victoria serves as mentor for the Coady International Institute’s Indigenous Women in Community Leadership and New Brunswick’s JEDI Aboriginal Business Accelerator Program. She is bilingual and teaches financial literacy to Indigenous youth.
We would also like to welcome two new Board Members to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. On December 10, 2021, the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, confirmed Mr. Dana Soonias and Mr. Robert Dickson in these roles.
Dana Soonias is the Director of Economic Development and Employment Training Services at the Saskatoon Tribal Council. He is a former Chairperson of AFOA Canada and the Aboriginal Entrepreneur Committee of National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), as well as a previous member of the First Nations Financial Management Board. Mr. Soonias has over twenty-five years executive leadership experience overseeing organizational restructuring, developing strategic and investment diversity in economic portfolios, leveraging partnerships to build capacity, and creating stability and long-term growth in the profit and not for profit sectors.
Robert Dickson is the Chief Executive Officer of Attawapiskat Enterprises INC., group of companies, and one of the Founders of the Aboriginal and Visible Minority Supplier Council. Mr. Dickson, who has had executive leadership roles in the profit, not for profit and public sectors, is known as a strong leader with excellent negotiation, interpersonal, presentation and public relations skills. He is committed to renewal and on-going change. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University.
Under the leadership of our Chairperson, Dawn Madahbee Leach, and our Vice-Chairperson, Victoria LaBillois, and energized by the addition of our new members, the NIEDB looks forward to continued progress on a number of priorities, including the next iteration of the National Indigenous Economic Progress Report in 2023 to measure Indigenous inclusion in the economy.
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National Indigenous Economic Development Board Applauds Canada’s Endorsement of Precedent-Setting Indigenous Trade Arrangement
The NIEDB welcomes news that Canada has endorsed the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA), heralding it as a precedent-setting step for Indigenous business development.
NIEDB IPETCA Press Release
Dawn Madahbee Leach Appointed as Chairperson of the NIEDB
The Board would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Dawn Madahbee Leach, who on April 30, 2021, was appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.
Ms. Madahbee Leach has been a member of the Board since 2002, and has been an advocate for Indigenous economic prosperity for many years. Ms. Madahbee Leach possesses that rare combination of vision, fairness, and understanding— crucial qualities for an effective leader.
Under Dawn’s leadership, the Board has identified four priority areas to inform engagement efforts and advice to the federal government:
o Developing a National Indigenous Economic Strategy;
o Advancing Economic Reconciliation;
o Regional Economic Development for Indigenous Peoples; and,
o Closing the Data Gap on Key Indigenous Economic Indicators.
These objectives include targeted and strategic deliverables that aim to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Board is looking forward to Ms. Madahbee Leach’s continued leadership in her new role, and the contribution she will make towards the growth and success of Indigenous economic development priorities in Canada.
A Thank You to Chief Clarence Louie
After more than 20 years of service, Chief Clarence Louie has retired from his position as Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.
Chief Clarence Louie has proven to be a dedicated and passionate leader for Indigenous economic development. His insight and experience has been marked by unsurpassed efficiency and excellence, and he continues to be an inspiration to many Indigenous economic development leaders across the country.
The Board extends its sincere thanks to Chief Clarence Louie for his great leadership over the past 20 years as a member and as Chairperson of the Board.
Welcome to our New Board Members
We would like to welcome our three new Board Members to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. In October 2020, we welcomed Danielle Levine, Michael Bonshor and Andy Moorhouse to the Board.
Danielle Levine BA, MBA is a Métis business educator, program designer and facilitator originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Danielle is an independent consultant that provides skill development, coaching, and ongoing support in entrepreneurship for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and beyond.
Michael Bonshor, CPA is a member of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet. Michael has worked with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to advance self-governance through economic development the past 20 years. He is President and CEO of Visions First Nations Financial Services/Ki’mola Indigenous Capital and Managing Director of First Nations Business Development Association (BC).
Andy Moorhouse was born in Montreal, and grew up in the northern village of Inukjuak and currently resides in Inukjuak, Nunavik. At the age of 20, he was elected in 1999 as a member of the municipal council of Inukjuak, in 2003, became the Mayor for one term from 2003 to 2005, then he gradually rose through the ranks to his most recent post of vice-president of the Makivik Corporation in charge of economic developmentAll three new Board members have extensive amounts of knowledge in Indigenous economic development and will contribute greatly to the Board’s work.
National Indigenous Economic Development Board: Opportunity for Position of Chairperson
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) is the only national, non-political organization of its kind mandated to provide strategic policy advice and guidance to federal government on issues of Indigenous economic development. Board Members are appointed for various terms and may reside anywhere in Canada. The principal role of all NIEDB Board Members is to provide strategic policy and program advice to the federal government on all matters pertaining to Indigenous economic development.
Who can apply?
Candidates applying for the position of Chairperson must possess considerable and demonstrated experience as an Indigenous leader in the field of business and economic development. Governance experience, in a chair role, within a national or regional organization and recognition for achievements in this role are essential. Candidates must also be recognized and respected for their leadership, integrity, and trustworthiness by their peers and by relevant communities of interest.
Candidates proposed for appointment must comply with the requirements of the Conflict of Interest Act as well as the ethical and political activity guidelines for part-time public office holders.
The Government is committed to ensuring appointments are representative of Canada’s regions and official languages, as well as employment equity and diversity with respect to women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities.
Deadline:
Applications for the role of Chairperson will be accepted until September 15, 2020.
How to apply:
Please send the following items to the contact listed below: a detailed, up-to-date résumé that includes your contact information and an explanation of relevant experience.
Contact us:
National Indigenous Economic Development Board
10 Wellington Street, 17th floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
Email: aadnc.cndeanaedbsecretariat.aandc@canada.ca
National Indigenous Economic Development Board: Opportunities for Future Board Members
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) is the only national, non-political organization of its kind mandated to provide strategic policy advice and guidance to federal government on issues of Indigenous economic development. Board Members are appointed for various terms and may reside anywhere in Canada. The principal role of all NIEDB Board Members is to provide strategic policy and program advice to the federal government on all matters pertaining to Indigenous economic development.
Who can apply?
Candidates applying for the position of Board Member must possess considerable and demonstrated experience as an Indigenous leader in the field of business and economic development. Governance experience within a national or regional organization and recognition for achievements in this role are essential. Candidates must also be recognized and respected for their leadership, integrity, and trustworthiness by their peers and by relevant communities of interest.
Candidates proposed for appointment must comply with the requirements of the Conflict of Interest Act as well as the ethical and political activity guidelines for part-time public office holders.
The Government is committed to ensuring appointments are representative of Canada’s regions and official languages, as well as employment equity and diversity with respect to women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities.
Deadline:
Applications for the role of Board Member will be accepted until September 30, 2020.
How to apply:
Please send the following items to the contact listed below: a detailed, up-to-date résumé that includes your contact information and an explanation of relevant experience.
Contact us:
National Indigenous Economic Development Board
10 Wellington Street, 17th floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
Email: aadnc.cndeanaedbsecretariat.aandc@canada.ca
Launch of the 2019 Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Report
The National Indigenous Economic Board (NIEDB) launches its 2019 Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Report.
Ottawa, ON – December 10, 2019 – To inform a path forward on addressing the socio-economic gap for Indigenous peoples in the context of reconciliation, the Board hosted a three-part series, in 2017 and 2018, on economic reconciliation and inclusive growth in Canada. The series was called “Expanding the Circle: What Reconciliation and Inclusive Economic Growth Can Mean for Indigenous Peoples and Canada?” These events were organized in partnership with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), the Public Policy Forum (PPF), and the former Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
The interest in the Expanding the Circle series stems from the Board’s 2016 research which indicated that if all opportunities were equal and the Indigenous labour force was fully mobilized, it could lead to a $27.7 billion annual contribution to the Canadian GDP.
The Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Report and its recommendations are the result of what the Board heard during these forums and is informed by the Board’s 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report which indicates that economic outcomes have been improving overall for Indigenous peoples in Canada, but are not on track to meet 2022 targets of economic parity. The report concludes that the Government of Canada must take immediate, significant, and clear steps towards closing the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of The Honour of the Crown, based on the existing Aboriginal rights upheld and recognized in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Yet, reconciliation is not solely the government’s responsibility; all Canadians must be involved.
The report is divided into two main sections. The first part focuses on four key recommendations based on common themes and issues raised during the three forums:
The second part provides an overview each of the three forums. For instance, the First Nations forum focused on concrete actions to move away from the Indian Act. The Métis forum outlined the significance of Métis rights to economic reconciliation. Finally, the Inuit forum highlighted importance of properly implementing land claims. While there were common themes across the three events, some of what the Board heard at each event was unique from the perspective of First Nations, Métis and Inuit, which speaks to the importance of providing for distinctions-based approaches to economic reconciliation.
The Board anticipates hosting three follow-up forums in 2022, as well as a follow-up report on economic reconciliation will be released in 2023 which will include data from the 2022 NIEDB Indigenous Economic Progress Report. The Board will use these tools to track, monitor, and assess the state of economic reconciliation in Canada. The Board will keep economic reconciliation and these four key areas as an ongoing topic of discussion during its meetings with ministers and government officials. The report will also be linked to a broader National Indigenous Economic Development Strategy. The Board calls upon Indigenous organizations to share this report within their networks, upon corporate Canada to concretely commit to reconciliation, and upon Canadians to educate themselves on these issues and to disseminate this information.
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board
Established in 1990, the NIEDB is a Governor-in-Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Composed of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Victoria LaBillois and Sandra Sutter named one of Women’s Executive Network 2019 Canada’s Most Powerful Women
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (the Board) would like to extend its most heartfelt congratulations to Victoria LaBillois and Sandra Sutter for being named two of the Women’s Executive Network 2019 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award.
Victoria and Sandra were both named in the RBC Champions category which highlights women who have made a describable difference to the advancement of women in the workplace.
Victoria LaBillois is a Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listuguj, Quebec, Victoria owns Wejipeg Excavation; owns rental properties; co-owns Wejuseg Construction, and is an active partner in other joint ventures. Sandra Sutter, a Cree Métis woman from the Prairies, is the Aboriginal Partnerships Manager for PTW Energy Services and CGT Industrial and the Executive Director for the Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR) Society.
They are both active members of the Board, providing valuable advice to the Board’s upcoming Strategic Plan and sitting on the Board’s Indigenous Procurement and Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Subcommittees.
We are grateful to have them on the Board and benefit from their great knowledge and experience as Indigenous women and entrepreneurs.
To learn more . . .
2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report
Economic Outcomes Improved Overall for Indigenous Peoples in Canada but Are Not on Track to Meet 2022 Targets of Economic Parity
Closing Socio-economic Gaps would boost Canada’s economy by $27.7B annually
Goose Bay, NL, June 10, 2019 – The 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report released today by the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) concludes that while the overall economic outcomes for Indigenous peoples are improving in Canada, this is only to varying, and sometimes small degrees. Given the pace of improvements, outcomes are not on track to meet the 2022 targets of economic parity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
“We’ve seen some of the greatest gains being made in the area of college and trades completion by Indigenous students, who now surpass the non-Indigenous population by 2.6 percentage points in 2016,” said Chief Clarence Louie, NIEDB Chairperson. “The deficit gap in median income levels has also significantly narrowed by 9.3 percentage points and the gap in high school completion rates has narrowed by 4.5 percentage points.”
The report finds that not all indicators have shown improvements, however, and not all improvements have occurred equally across the three Indigenous identity groups.
“The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment rates has remained essentially unchanged at 8.4 percentage points in 2016 and, for university completion rates, the gap actually grew to 18.8% with a 1.7 percentage point increase,” said Ms. Dawn Madahbee Leach, NIEDB Vice-Chair. “First Nations populations on reserve also continue to demonstrate persistent and sometimes worsening outcome deficits in terms of employment rates, income, and educational levels.”
The Indigenous Economic Progress Report presents a thorough, in-depth analysis of the economic realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Using 13 measures, it assesses three core indicators: employment, income and community well-being. Using 19 additional measures, it also examines five underlying indicators of economic success: education, entrepreneurship and business development, governance, lands and resources, and infrastructure.
Eleven measures are new to the 2019 progress report, such as workforce representation, enhanced income and educational attainment measures, crowding and condition of housing, and community financial certification. The 2019 report also presents the results of gender analysis and introduces two new NIEDB composite indices on Economic Development and Infrastructure.
“The gender analysis reveals some interesting findings,” said Dr. Marie Delorme, NIEDB member. “We found that Indigenous populations demonstrate greater gender parity than non-Indigenous populations. We also determined that Indigenous women would benefit more from support in the areas of employment and income, while Indigenous men would benefit more from support in education.”
The 2019 report is the second progress report issued by the NIEDB since its foundational Aboriginal Economic Benchmarking Report was published in 2012. The benchmarking report set bold targets on which to track the economic progress of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada. This includes the target to achieve economic outcome parity by 2022.
“While gaps are closing, we found that they are not on track to meet our 2022 goal,” said Chief Terrance Paul, NIEDB member-at-large. “We urge government to respond to our recommendations so we can meet these targets over the next three years.”
Among its recommendations, the NIEDB advises that policies and programming should target First Nations populations on reserve in the areas of infrastructure, employment and education. It also recommends the development of youth-focused educational supports to help Indigenous peoples finish high school and continue on to post-secondary education, as well as skills development programs to help Indigenous employees of high-wage industries increase their earning potential in higher-paying roles.
“Indigenous economic development offers huge potential to improve lives, fuel Canadian economic growth, advance reconciliation, and provide a growing young workforce to Canada’s aging labour population,” said Chief Louie. “Closing this gap would boost Canada’s economy by $27.7 billion annually.”
Inuktitut media release
Infographics:
Past Reports:
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board
Established in 1990, the NIEDB is a Governor-in-Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Composed of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Indigenous Economic Progress Reports
The NIEDB has produced two previous Indigenous Economic Reports to identify trends in the Indigenous economy in Canada over a 10-year period and to make recommendations. The 2019 report compares data from the 2006 Census and the 2016 Census. The final report is expected to be released in 2023.