On February 25, 2019, the Board launched its Northern Sustainable Food Systems Recommendations Report.

• Read the report here: Northern Sustainable Food Systems Recommendations Report

Northern sustainable food systems are a critical component of economic development in the North. Sustainable food systems support food security, leading to healthier communities, and individuals who are better able to participate in the workforce. With a healthier workforce, the economic climate is more favourable to attract and retain businesses. Improvements in employment, educational opportunities and increased incomes in turn allow for greater food security.  Northern sustainable food systems both drive economic development and benefit from the economic growth associated with new business opportunities.

Based on  internal and external research, along with findings from our Roundtable event held in Whitehorse, Yukon in June 2018 to discuss Northern Sustainable food systems with Northerners, the Board has made a suite of recommendations that address gaps in creating sustainable food systems:

• First, we recommend a set of four policy tools designed to address traditional foods and the opportunity to contribute more reliably and sustainably to food systems in the North. These policies and programs would support hunters and facilitate the procurement of traditional foods for use in hospitals, schools and government institutions, develop appropriate marketing and management practices, and facilitate food inspections to ensure food safety regulations are met. Importantly, all of these policies would be co-developed with Indigenous governing bodies and recognize Indigenous governmental authority to make regulations respecting the harvesting and use of country/traditional foods.
• Second, we recommend the development and enhanced involvement in a set of two programs designed to promote climate change and adaptation programs and small-scale Indigenous commercial fisheries. These programs include the support for local processing facilities to offer the greatest benefit within and for communities.   Country and traditional foods offer an irreplaceable contribution to Indigenous food systems far beyond their excellent nutritional value and supporting these endeavours now and for the future has widespread economic and community benefits.
• Third, we recommend significant enhancements and alterations to federal subsidy programs. We recommend that The Nutrition North program focus on support for local food production and harvesting through transportation subsidies for traditional foods, and for tools and supplies used for local food production and harvesting. Further, we recommend the introduction of a Northern Basic Income Allowance and Northern indexed federal income tax rates. Additionally, we recommend economic development supports to enable locally-owned supply and distribution chains for market foods, consideration of price capping for staples and ongoing monitoring of existing food programs and food insecurity rates.
• Fourth, we recommend an ongoing infrastructure investment strategy that honours previous fiscal commitments and continues to focus on transportation infrastructure (marine, air and ground) maintenance and enhancements. Deep water port construction, airport improvements, and road enhancements are all required to ensure remote and isolated communities maintain distribution networks and are best positioned to take advantage of economic development opportunities in the future.
• Fifth, we recommend a simplification and coordination of funding opportunities for Northern individuals, communities and businesses looking to develop local solutions, combined with a sharing network for projects and developers to communicate with case-study champions. A single-window platform to identify funding opportunities and a single-user application will encourage innovation and localization of food systems contributions and reduce the need to navigate multiple departmental and jurisdictional levels. A sharing network will allow for the communication of ideas, successes and challenges across the North to facilitate expansion of successes and minimize barriers.

Ultimately, our recommendations to enhance and support sustainable food systems in the North focus on increased participation and autonomy at the local level in the development and support of local solutions and local food production. All recommendations look to further Indigenous self-determination and self-governance through a distinctions-based approach. In combination with enhanced and simplified funding for local initiatives and sharing networks of Northern solutions, the North will be better positioned to support sustainable food systems and future economic development.

The NIEDB

Established in 1990, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board is a Ministerial appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments to respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

On Monday, June 4th, 2018, a wide variety of stakeholders and partners involved in Northern food systems attended a Roundtable event in Whitehorse, Yukon. Participants were from across the Northern territories and Inuit Nunangat and included:

• Indigenous Elder
• Representatives from Indigenous Organizations, Governments and Corporations
• Federal, territorial and regional government representatives
• Industry representatives
• Non-profit groups and academics
• Local food producers and food Co-ops
• Commercial food distributors and retailers

Participants offered significant feedback, providing helpful insights on the development of NIEDB recommendations to address Northern sustainable food systems. The views expressed in this report are those of the participants at the event and reflect the discussions that occurred.

Read the report:

• What We Heard: Roundtable on Northern Sustainable Food Systems

The NIEDB

Established in 1990, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board is a Governor in Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments to respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

On November 8, 2018, at the University of Winnipeg, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), in partnership with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the Public Policy Forum (PPF), presented Expanding the Circle: What Reconciliation and Inclusive Economic Growth Can Mean for the Métis Nation and Canada?

Economic reconciliation means ensuring that Indigenous Peoples are not excluded from participating and benefitting from Canada’s prosperity. The economic inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s economy is not only a way of addressing past wrongs, but also an investment that can benefit all Canadians. In fact, closing the significant opportunity gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians will annually boost Canada’s GDP by $27.7 billion.

• Read more here: Reconciliation: Growing Canada’s Economy by $27.7 Billion

The Expanding the Circle series of conferences features leaders and experts from across the country to look at looking into the importance of inclusive economic growth for reconciliation, and highlight solutions to address the significant gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The second of this three-part series focused on increasing economic opportunities for the Métis Nation.

Métis Conference (2017)

Through a series of panels, discussions and presentations, speakers talked about themes such as Métis rights, entrepreneurship, business development, and youth.

To learn more . . .

• Watch the Métis conference
• View photos from the Métis conference
• Watch the First Nations conference

The National Indigenous Economic Development Board would like to extend its most heartfelt congratulations to Chief Terrance Paul and Chief Clarence Louie for being named to the Order of Canada.

Chief Terrance Paul was awarded the Order of Canada in November 2017. He has served as Chief of the Membertou First Nation for the past 33 years, winning 16 band elections. He was recognized for “his unique leadership in upholding Indigenous rights and for building a unique model of sustainable financial independence in the Membertou community”.

Chief Clarence Louie was awarded the Order in November 2016. He has been Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band for over ten terms. He was recognized, “for his innovative contributions to increasing economic opportunities for Indigenous communities”.

The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

To learn more . . .

• Chief Terrance Paul
• Chief Clarence Louie
• About the Board

Our most recent report, Recommendations Report on Improving Access to Capital for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, is based on a study that Waterstone Strategies recently produced for our Board.

The Waterstone Strategies report, entitled First Nations and Inuit Access to Capital for Economic Development, Business and Infrastructure: A Quantitative Assessment of the Access and the Gaps, assessed the characteristics of the gap between First Nation and Inuit financing, and mainstream Canadian financing.

The report found that, although First Nations and Inuit are accessing more capital, the gap between Indigenous access and access for other Canadians continues to widen. This gap is in fact detrimental to the Canadian economy as a whole, since a First Nation and Inuit economy operating at the same level as the Canadian economy and financed appropriately would result in a contribution of over $3.6 billion to Canada’s GDP.

Our Board firmly believes that closing the gap in access to capital between Indigenous communities and the rest of Canada is an issue of critical importance. That is why we are making the following recommendations to the Government of Canada:

• That the Government of Canada continue to expand investments in and support for Aboriginal Financial Institutions.
• That the Government of Canada make a substantive effort to renew the fiscal relationship and to make fiscal fairness and affordable borrowing a reality for Indigenous peoples and communities. This includes addressing current legal and regulatory barriers to accessing capital, as well as exploring and supporting new and alternative lending options.
• That Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) continue to work with Indigenous peoples, nations and governments to expand investments in communities and to enhance the investment climate.
• That INAC enhance the relevance, quality and availability of information to Indigenous households, businesses and communities through a commitment to transparency and openness, as well as supporting Indigenous-led research and data governance.

The NIEDB

Established in 1990, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board is a Governor in Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic development. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments to respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples in Canada.