It begins with a clear vision about what the community is hoping to accomplish; what does economic success mean?  

Do the asset inventory analysis to determine what sectors to target.

Are we "Colligia" at the back of the bus?  The question assumes that govt or industry defines the opportunity for the FN
We are driving the bus - setting the ground rules.  We negotiate with industry.
First step for FNs, is to recognize that they must be pro-active.
Too many FNs have a sense of entitlement if they are aproached by govt or industry.
Province has a role to frustrate or facilitate in mega-projects

Capacity building - not up to government to decide, up tot eh FN to decide
Economic development - education is critical

Education - sharing success
Mobilize the local people
Look to champions in the community.
Advocates for the community in the area of changing their economies.

Leadership is critical to success
even with serious social issues, still go ahead with planing:
-investment in people
-reasoinable cost of labour
-incentivising communities economic development

Attitude is transferable
But, governments can make the development very difficult

How does success go down to the community level?
-education
-increasing household level
-people making better decisions

Need some very careful planning.
-capacity issues
-one community had a very high employment rate: how do we get out of it?
-no matter how much you train people, problems will continue until FN people have those human skills
-to be successful, you need to have everyone on boar

Question of Entitlement
-getting an investory of what is available - what do we want to do with them

Northern Growth Plan
Green Energy Act
collaboration is key

More FN's will be major proponents
-tension between the environmental groups and other interests
-having FN's involved in the development process raises the level of awareness

FN's know how to take care of the land
But we need jobs

25 years ago, the community made a decision to elect the Chief on a regular basis
FN's are local communities

Pic River - extremely sensitive to diversifying the

A number of small communties
how do you improve the economy in  - connectivity, broadband,
PIC River -

Are land claims a source of economic activity
-infusion of capital
-decision-making power
-ability to buy land for additional development
-FN business does not have to be located on reserve to be successful
-asset investory - critical

Hear the stories and learn from it