capacity building

Thumbnail

Native Nation Rebuilders Speak

Participants in the Bush Foundation's Native Nation Rebuilders Program offer their personal perspectives on nation building and share their experiences in the program.

Thumbnail

Planting the Seeds...for Our Children's Future: The Hopi Education Endowment Fund

This seven-minute video presents the founding, development, and current work of the Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF), which won an Honoring Nations award (High Honors) from the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development in 2006. The video chronicles HEEF's work in support of…

Image
The Strategic Power of Data: A Key Aspect of Sovereignty

The Strategic Power of Data: A Key Aspect of Sovereignty

The lack of good data about U.S. American Indian and Alaska Native populations hinders tribes’ development activities, but it also highlights a space for sovereign action. In coming years, tribes will no doubt continue to advocate for better national data and at the same time increasingly implement…

Image
Higher Education & Workforce Development: Leveraging Tribal Investments to Advance Community Goals

Higher Education & Workforce Development: Leveraging Tribal Investments to Advance Community Goals

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Policy Research Center's 2010 Tribal Research Priorities Survey reported that education and economic development are top research priorities for tribes. Respondents noted their interest in research and resources regarding how to: (1) create jobs and…

Thumbnail or cover image
Forwarding First Nation Goals Through Enterprise Ownership- The Mikisew Group Of Companies

Forwarding First Nation Goals Through Enterprise Ownership: The Mikisew Group Of Companies

The Mikisew Group of Companies (Mikisew Group) is the business arm of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN). Founded in 1991 using monies from a $26.6 million land claim settlement with the governments of Alberta and Canada, it has achieved remarkable success. This success is evident in the wide…

Image
Creating a Climate of Support for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

Creating a Climate of Support for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

Three First Nations communities formed a partnership with SFU to investigate ways to create a supportive environment for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. This project followed the Western Diversification/Simon Fraser University study (2001) on the information and service needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs…

Thumbnail or cover image
Journey to Economic Independence: B.C. First Nations' Perspectives

Journey to Economic Independence: B.C. First Nations' Perspectives

There are two approaches to economic development being pursued by the participant First Nations. One is creation of an economy through support for local entrepreneurs and the development of their individual enterprises (i.e. Westbank First Nation). The other is creation of an economy through…

Image
Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship: Success Factors and Challenges

Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship: Success Factors and Challenges

Aboriginal people (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) and their communities in the north face many obstacles and challenges. There are, however, tremendous opportunities to promote and enhance Aboriginal participation in the economy. Aboriginal youth entrepreneurs are key to building a healthy…

Image
Community-Led Development

Community-Led Development

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept and practice of community-led development. It is an approach to tackling local problems that is taking hold throughout the world. While its expression may vary depending upon the community and the specific area of focus, there are nonetheless some…

Image
Best Practices Case Study (Participation in Decision Making): Gila River Indian Community

Best Practices Case Study (Participation in Decision Making): Gila River Indian Community

Gila River Indian Community, which borders the Arizona cities of Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, and Chandler, has nearly 17,000 tribal citizens. Half of the population is younger than 18. Like youth elsewhere, Gila River youth are challenged by a host of problems. Gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and…

Thumbnail or cover image
CCP Handbook Cover

CCP HANDBOOK Comprehensive Community Planning for First Nations in British Columbia

The First Nations of British Columbia have rich and varied cultures, histories and traditions. They are becoming increasingly involved in comprehensive community planning as a way of embracing change and planning a better future for their communities. Comprehensive community planning is a holistic…

Image
A Human Resource Capacity Tool for First Nations

A Human Resource Capacity Tool for First Nations

This tool was developed by the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC) to assist BC First Nations who are working through the treaty process with their Human Resource (HR) planning. It responds to a growing need for a practical, efficient tool for First Nations with diverse sets of priorities,…

Image
Best Practices Case Study (Cultural Alignment of Institutions): San Carlos Apache

Best Practices Case Study (Cultural Alignment of Institutions): San Carlos Apache

Traditional Apache culture is based on an intimate spiritual connection with and knowledge of the natural world. Apache elders believe that connection is necessary to respect one’s self, other humans and all living things. The San Carlos Apache elders living in San Carlos in northern Arizona have…

Image
Best Practices Case Study (Meaningful Information Sharing): Miawpukek First Nation

Best Practices Case Study (Meaningful Information Sharing): Miawpukek First Nation

Miawpukek First Nation (MFN) are Micmac people living on the south coast of Newfoundland. In 1998 they indicated to the Government of Canada their desire to move toward self-government negotiations. Recognizing the nature and scope of achievements of the community within its short existence as an…