New consortium supports, strengthens Indigenous economic development

A new national consortium to support and strengthen Indigenous economic development across Canada was announced today at the University of Victoria.

The National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (NCIED) was established by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and the Faculty of Law to harness community-based education and research to drive innovative economic change.

The NCIED will focus on seven key areas including entrepreneurship, the development of appropriate structures for Indigenous economic activity, and the conditions for effective collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous enterprises.

“Canada's future is tied to the well-being of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous communities and their participation in the economy,” says Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business. “Unlocking the potential for economic development in light of this requires careful consideration and elimination of the structural and behavioural impediments to capital investment and economic growth.”

“As Indigenous peoples gain greater control of their lands and governance, they seek to use those powers to secure their economic future. This consortium supports those initiatives,” says Professor Jeremy Webber, dean of the Faculty of Law. “Indigenous economies interact closely with their neighbouring communities. Strong Indigenous economies make for strong regional economies.”

Miles G. Richardson (Haida), a business adviser, key member of the former British Columbia Claims Task Force, and co-chair of the national Indigenous Advisory Circle for the Institute on Governance, was named as NCIED’s interim director. He is also past president of the Council of the Haida Nation, former chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. Richardson’s biography is available here. As interim leader, Richardson (a UVic alumnus) will oversee the launch of the NCIED and development of its work nationwide.

The consortium was developed with the collaboration of leaders from Indigenous communities, business and government. The program will help to define and maximize the conditions most conducive to Indigenous economic development across Canada.

For further information see www.uvic.ca/ncied
 

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