Economic development officers meet

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Celebration, acknowledgement and networking were in high gear at a recent national Native economic development conference.

The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) held its eighth annual national economic development conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Oct. 10 to 12, entitled, "Closing the Gap: Developing Aboriginal Economies.

The conference looked at how Aboriginal communities measured their success against the mainstream economy. In the spotlight was the high rate of unemployment for Aboriginal people across the country and the diversity of Aboriginal communities in Canada.

Vaughn Sunday, conference chairman, spoke of how the CANDO conferences provide people with new ideas to improve economic development in Aboriginal communities.

"We have to create employment for our own communities and use that as a gauge and to attract outside dollars," said Sunday. "We have to invest in projects that are going to see a return or we're going to face the consequences of being really disadvantaged."

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Economic Developer of the Year Award, presented to Chief Ron Evans of Norway House Cree Nation. Norway House has the largest on-reserve population (4,069 members) in Manitoba and is committed to local self-government. Steps are being taken to gain control of their health, education, economic development, and general administration. They have undertaken a complete redevelopment over the last decade that has included the completion of one of the largest recreation complexes in northern Canada.

Chief Ron Evans who displayed his strong public speaking abilities, after technical difficulties prevented him from using overhead slides during his presentation, said that being recognized, as a leader in the Aboriginal community was an honor.

"This is a great compliment to Norway House's vision statement."

All four finalists were given a limit of 10 minutes to present their business ventures to the more then 300 delegates and members, who would later choose the winner through a ballot. The other three finalists included Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) from Saskatoon, Millbrook First Nation from Nova Scotia, and Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations from Kamloops, B.C.

Other highlights of the conference included a trade show and networking mixer, featuring CANDO international guest conference delegate from Chile, Franciso Painepaen of the Empresarios Mapuche. Delegates also heard from Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault, who was the keynote speaker. The conference also featured the certification cafe, Native arts and crafts and the launch of the national Aboriginal Economics of Staying In School (ESIS) program with Junior Achievement Canada.

The ESIS program for Grade 9 students focuses on long-term career goals, developing entrepreneurial skills and budgeting and leadership skills. The program is based on the existing Junior Achievement Program, which was created to teach young aboriginal people the importance of education and how it will benefit their future.

The first spokesperson that has come on board to promote the program is Waneek Horn-Miller of Kahnawake. Horn-Miller was the only Aboriginal athlete on the 2000 Canadian and U.S. Olympic teams combined. She co-captained the women's water polo team who fought to a fourth place finish at the Sidney, Australia Olympics. She has just returned from Japan where Canada won the bonze medal. Horn-Miller also has a degree in Political Science from Carleton University.

"I am so grateful that I can lend my name and image to education," said Horn-Miller. "As for my involvement, I hope I'm just the first person to lend their name because Junior Achievement is a great program."

The conference was well attended and CANDO looks forward to 2002 when the conference will be held in Edmonton, Alta.