Canada

Thumbnail or cover image
Coast Salish Gathering

Coast Salish Gathering

Ecosystems in many parts of North America are under severe stress. Pollution, the overuse of natural resources, and habitat destruction threaten local flora and fauna. Conservation attempts often fall short because they target one species of site within an ecosystem. The Coast Salish Gathering…

Thumbnail or cover image
Transcending Borders in Tribal Nation-Building

Transcending Borders in Tribal Nation-Building

Dr. Stephen Cornell addressed the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, House of Commons, in Ottawa, Canada. The following is the excerpted transcript from his address, which, among other things, discusses what really does and should matter to Indigenous peoples--…

Thumbnail or cover image
Rights, Governance, and the BC Treaty Process

Rights, Governance, and the BC Treaty Process

The keynote address given at the BC Treaty Commission Conference for First Nations that discusses the rights, governance and the BC treaty process. Cornell emphasizes the fact that treating making can be more than a process. It can lead to the phenomenal concept of nation building that is sweeping…

Thumbnail or cover image
The First Nations Governance Act: Implications of Research Findings from the United States and Canada

The First Nations Governance Act: Implications of Research Findings from the United States and Canada

In the spring of 2002, the Office of the British Columbia Regional Vice-Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) asked the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy at The University of Arizona to provide that office with an analysis of the First Nations Governance Act (…

Thumbnail or cover image
The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations

The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations

What is governance? What is government? What does each do? And what distinguishes good governance - or good government - from bad? Why is the quality of governance important to the success of human societies? And what is the significance and meaning of self-governance? And What does effective self-…

Thumbnail or cover image
What Makes First Nations Enterprises Successful? Lessons from the Harvard Project

What Makes First Nations Enterprises Successful? Lessons from the Harvard Project

Some enterprises owned and operated by Native nations do well, and others don't. Of course this is true of all businesses--some succeed and others fail--and there are numerous reasons why. After all, building a successful business is a complex and challenging task. But in these and many other cases…

Thumbnail

Honoring Nations: Jon Waterhouse and Rob Rosenfeld: The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

Jon Waterhouse and Rob Rosenfeld provide an overview of the work accomplished by the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, demonstrating the benefits of Native nations who have common cultures and challenges to band together to solve issues of mutual concern.

Thumbnail

NCFNG: Youth and First Nation Governance

Satsan (Herb George), President of the National Centre for First Nation Governance, talks about the importance of involving youth in Nation Rebuilding.

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
First Nations Communications Toolkit

First Nations Communications Toolkit

The First Nations Communications Toolkit is a unique resource jointly developed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, BC Region, and Tewanee Consulting Group. This Toolkit was designed explicitly for First Nations communicators and is based on input from First Nations communicators and…

Image
Minding Our Own Businesses: how to create support in First Nations communities for Aboriginal Business

Minding Our Own Businesses: how to create support in First Nations communities for Aboriginal Business

The purpose of the project was to investigate what other First Nations have done to support their small business operators, and to create a process to look at what could be done in your community...

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 Business Development Toolkit

Aboriginal Business Development Toolkit

If you're an Aboriginal person thinking about starting or expanding a business, this toolkit has been developed with you in mind. While many helpful guides exist, this document includes considerations that may be of particular interest to you, your family and your community. Whether you live on-…

Image
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Governance Toolkit: A Guide to Nation Building

British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Governance Toolkit: A Guide to Nation Building

The BCAFN is pleased to present the first edition of the BCAFN Governance Toolkit: A Guide to Nation Building in accordance with our Building on OUR Success action plan and the first pillar of that plan, "Strong and Appropriate Governance." The Toolkit is a comprehensive guide intended to assist…

Image
Economic Development Toolkit for First Nations Economic Development Officers, Chiefs and Councils and Community Members – Basic Information and Guide

Economic Development Toolkit for First Nations Economic Development Officers, Chiefs and Councils and Community Members – Basic Information and Guide

First Nations are becoming more and more involved in economic development within their communities. In order to carry on business, First Nations are incorporating companies, societies and other business structures. It is important for members to understand the difference between sole…

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
The Crown's Constitutional Duty to Consult and Accomodate Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

The Crown's Constitutional Duty to Consult and Accomodate Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

The Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal and treaty rights is a fundamental matter of social justice that invokes very solemn legal obligations. Reconciliation and win-win situations can be achieved with good faith negotiations if the federal and provincial Crown immediately…

Image
Indigenous Justice: Clearing Space and Place for Indigenous Epistemologies

Indigenous Justice: Clearing Space and Place for Indigenous Epistemologies

The realization of Self Determination for Indigenous Peoples is an exhilarating and fascinating movement that encourages human perseverance and an unfaltering belief in human potential and responsibility. It is a multi-dimensional movement that acknowledges and accepts human flaws while becoming…

Image
Like An Ill-Fitting Boot: Government, Governance and Management Systems in the Contemporary Indian Act

Like An Ill-Fitting Boot: Government, Governance and Management Systems in the Contemporary Indian Act

Few people are satisfied with the Indian Act, but no one will deny its importance. For the individuals to whom it applies, the Act is a basic and specific constitutional document. It defines their rights and entitlements, their citizenship and their relationship to the federal and provincial…