New goals for growth set

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TORONTO-Business leaders, government representatives and savvy youth with business interests from across Canada were invited to the National Aboriginal Business Summit that was held in Toronto Feb. 19 and 20.

The summit is held to foster Aboriginal participation in the Canadian economy and enhance business partnerships.

Three themes dominated this year's summit: Building Partnerships, Building the Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Building the Investment Climate. Delegates had many opportunities to talk about their individual business successes.

Opening ceremonies were held with drumming and singing by the Red Spirit Singers.

Key speakers were Brenda Chambers, president of Brenco Media; John Bernard, president of Donna Cona Inc.; Bernd Christmas, CEO of the Membertou Development Corporation; Grand Chief Dr. Ted Moses, Grand Council of the Crees in Quebec; Ray Wanoch from the Metis Nation of Alberta; Tom Maracle from Xerox Canada; and Roger Barber from Bowater Canadian Forest Products Inc.

Youth who were sponsored to attend the event by the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat included Jocelyn Formsma, Aboriginal Youth Council president with the National Association of Friendship Centres; Dave Dickey, a 2002 Ontario Aboriginal Partnership Recognition Scholarship recipient and student at the University of Western Ontario; Harmony Rice, publisher of Spirit Magazine from Wasauksing First Nation; Jonathon Gregg, the 2002 Youth Award recipient from Ontario First Nations Technical Corporation; and Moose Cree First Nation's Terry Sutherland, Black Wolf Woodwork and Construction and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Youth Business Award recipient in 2002.

It was announced the province would renew its Building Aboriginal Economies strategy, begun in 1998, for five more years. The strategy currently encompasses 35 programs and services within 11 Ontario ministries.

Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs David Young said, "Promoting and strengthening Aboriginal economic development is the foundation of Ontario's approach to Aboriginal Affairs."

The government's focus now, he said, will be "marketing and promotion of the strategy in order to build on its proven successes." To date Ontario has invested $10 million to help leverage $48 milion in capital investment in Aboriginal businesses.