C1-Role of Municipalities in Aboriginal Economies

"What role does a municipality play in supprting aboriginal economies?" - Proposed by Anna Gibbon

- engaging partnership discussions...what can we do together?
- aboriginal rights - Section 35 (legal; relationships)
- Joint relationship committee - E.D....determine what issues can be addressed
- common issues - housing, policing, youth
- establishing individual relationships, First Nation, metis, urban
- funding criteria often too rigid, flexible
- think outside the box
- Urban Aboriginal Strategy, federal project
- develop local working group to address urban aboriginal strategy...need to look beyond the urban scope - must also include remote and rural First Nations strategy
- take advantage of joint training with surrounding first nation communities
- who has a vested interest in the community...municipality needs to understand who is here
- often look at First Nations issue by issue...e.g. policing, housing, etc.
- need to look at bigger picture to play a more active role
- municipality's role in federal/provincial discussion...how does the municipality address these higher levels of government
- municipality can facilitate discussions with first nations, federal and provincial government
- explore other models that work in other communities
- ensure First Nation representation on council, committees of council, etc
- establish communication plan
- two different electoral systems
- cross cultural training will go a long way and melding our approaches
- establishing relationships and engaging is commonalities
- leadership plays a large role -- Chief and Council, Mayor and Council must have political integrity and trust with each other
- PPP will move projects so much faster at the political level, in terms of funding, commitment and priority
- hiring practices of city/municipality

Summary -- the City needs to think of aboriginal economy as city economy, establishing relationships at the leadership levels between Mayor and Council and Chief and Council. Identifying common issues and lobbying government together to achieve common goals. Aboriginal representation at the Council level, committees and hiring practices will further these goals. These solid partnerships will move projects farther and faster than working individually.




Anna Gibbon
Frank Pullia
Don Watson
Florence Bailey
Rachel Garrick
Scott Cavan
Gina LaForce