MKO 22nd LEGISLATIVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Annual General Assembly Opaskwayak Cree Nation
September 9, 10, 11, 2003

Introduction

This project came about with MKO Grand Chief Francis Flett and Minister Robert Nault discussing the depressing socio-economic conditions of the northern First Nations and that the Minister wanted to do something to assist in the improvement of these conditions. In August 2002, the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Executive Council met with Minister Nault, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in Thompson to discuss these northern Manitoba issues affecting the First Nations. The First Nation leadership wants to change the poverty situation in their communities.

The northern leadership stated that First Nations must have meaningful participation in the economic development of the north. They will develop a First Nation northern economic development strategy that will assist in addressing many of the socio-economic conditions of northern First Nations. Minister Nault agreed that action is necessary and agreed to development of an economic strategic plan based on a shared vision respecting partnership with Canada, Province and industry with northern Manitoba First Nations to develop economic strategies that will improve the socio-economic conditions of First Nation communities.

Planning: Phase 1: The structural approach to develop this strategy was immediately initiated with the following actions taken;

A special project coordinator was hired to do the following:

• Organize a working committee
• Organize resource people to the project (Tribal Council Directors)
• Organize partnership with neighboring communities of South East Tribal Council
• Creating a larger planning group to include Federal and Provincial representation
  

Develop a Mission Statement

• To create an environment for First Nations to establish and sustain business ventures that will generate profits, jobs, human and structural capacity thus improving the socio-economic conditions of northern Manitoba First Nation communities in a manner that will lead to an equitable share of wealth.
• Jobs and wealth creation are the underpinning of prosperous, self-reliant communities, thus First Nation self-government developments require this opportunity of building their capacity through economic developments

The working committee established goals that will achieve the objectives of the Mission Statement.

• In order to achieve the Mission Statement, the key initiative was the MKO-SERDC Economic Development Strategy which was to incorporate the preparation of a vision and action plan for the development of northern Manitoba including an action plan/process on how the First Nations will participate in northern development without jeopardizing First Nations legal and treaty/inherent rights to lands, resources and people.
• The MKO-SERDC ratified the Mission Statement/Goal and the process by which the Mission Statement would be achieved: preparation of vision/action plan and developing a business plan.
  

The INTENT of the MKO-SERDC Economic Development Strategy was to result in:

• changing the status of the First Nation people from welfare state to economic power and self-sufficiency.
• improving the living standards and quality of life
• the creation of a closer economic alliance between the First Nations and other northerners
• global mobility through training and human resource development
  

Development of an Action Plan

• The action plan was organized into five phases towards the development and implementation of a northern economic development strategy.

1. To organize Sept to Dec 2002 2. To consult January to March 31, 2003 3. Strategy Development April - June 30, 2003. 4. Integrated Business Plan July - Dec 31, 2003 5. Implementation January 2004

Funding: The required funding was received from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Consultation: Phase 2: The most important aspect of the development of the northern economic development strategy was to consult the stakeholders and facilitate the development of a collective vision to be used for the business plan. An on-going process of consultation was planned for the MKO and SERDC communities.

Economic Development Forum: The first step in the process of consultation was the facilitation and coordinator of an economic development forum of a representative sample of First Nation membership inclusive of the leadership. This forum took place on March 2003 at the Kikiwak Inn, Opasquiak Cree Nation, The Pas, Manitoba.

Participants: There were over 250 participants from the MKO and SERDC communities attending this forum. Three participants were invited from each of the First Nations. Three main grouping of community membership that were invited included the leadership, economic development officers as well as community youth and women representatives. This forum generated such an interest that there were additional observers from the communities, federal and provincial officials, members of various northern development corporations and members from various industries.

Forum format: The planning group engaged an aboriginal professional that would ensure maximum output from this gathering. She organized this gathering as a working conference ensuring maximize input from the participants in creating a vision for economic development. There were four workshops happening simultaneously and organized in a fashion that facilitated the community participants to attend most workshops. The four workshops are as followed: 1. Organization/Structure Workshop 2. Business Opportunities Workshop 3. Human Development/Training Workshop 4. Access to Funding Workshop

Forum Results: The main message we received from the participants are:

• get organized
• set rules of operation (to accommodate business development and attract investors)
• unlease the economic power of the northern First Nations
• implement the recommendations and plans
  

A resolution from the leadership stated the MKO-SERDC leadership present at the Economic Development Forum endorse and approve the summary report and in particular the recommended “next steps.

There were numerous recommendations and suggestions which were then prioritized immediately after the forum to make concise and brief reports to the audience about each workshop findings. Each of the four workshop groups got to input their particular suggestions and discussions into the overall recommendations of that workshop title. The recommendations were recorded, compiled and packaged as draft outputs. The main recommendation from each of the following workshops are:

• Organization Workshop - Develop and implement an MKO-SERDC Economic Development Corporation that will create an environment for First Nations to establish and sustain business ventures that will generate profits, human and structural capacity and lead to an equitable share of wealth. This corporation will facilitate all First Nations in northern Manitoba to emerge as lead innovators of the northern economy.
• Business Opportunities Workshop - The greatest potential for northern First Nations development is in the areas of hydro, transportation, tourism, construction, natural resources and service delivery. Strategic development planning must take place. Some opportunities can be implemented now but larger/more complex/higher capital projects will be developed with joint venture private partners who will provide needed infrastructure /capital.
• Human Development/Training Workshop - Strategic planning must take place amongst all stakeholders to revise the present system of education and training that will empower and equip the young people with the necessary human capacity requirements to fully participate in the economy.
• • Access to Funding Workshop - The strategic planning and implementation of the economic development strategy will lead to the establishment of sustainable business ventures. It will be driven by a business plan that incorporates high value business opportunities and rigorous due diligence with the same degree of professionalism as those executed by successful corporations. This development will create an atmosphere of good governance and level of integrity ( track record) that will attract investments by the corporate world, financial institutions and the federal and provincial governments. There should also be a review and research on existing funding sources for economic development especially in the area of equity and proposed ways and means how these funding policies could be changed to be more accessible for aboriginal businesses.
  

Funding: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided funding for the Economic Development Forum. Province of Manitoba provided funds for the publication of the Report and also for video production.

Phase 3(strategy development) and Phase 4(integrated business plans)

Process: The implementation of the strategy development, Phase 3 and development of the integrated business plans, Phase 4, are to be completed by December 31, 2003 at an approximate cost of $350,000.00. As of August 8, 2003 we have not received funds to complete the strategy and business plans. The planning committee has been developing the parameters and scope of the economic strategy and integrated business plans. However, these strategies and plans are not complete and they need to be fully documented and researched before they can be formally accepted. This does not prevent us from proceeding with the mandate given at the forum to go into the next steps. The committee feels that we must develop the MKO-SERDC Economic Development Corporation immediately to take advantage of the abundant business opportunities that are being identified. A strategic plan will be developed that will facilitate the timely research and documentation to be done when funds become available.

Negotiations: Since April 1, 2003, negotiations have taken place with the following potential funding agencies for the MKO-SERDC Economic Development Strategy;

• Indian & Northern Affairs Canada: A funding submission was made to Indian & Northern Affairs Canada requesting $317,500 for the completion of Phase 3 and 4. A letter was received on May 22, 2003 from Indian Affairs stating that $150,000 is available under the Economic Development Partnership Fora. It requested that our project will be funded provided other funding partners are secured that will contribute financial support for this initiative.
• Aboriginal Business Canada: A similar funding submission was made to Aboriginal Business Canada on July 2nd, 2002 requesting a financial support of $150,000. A verbal commitment of support was made on the project subject to negotiations on the content of the proposal and areas that fits their criteria of support. The feedback we received by ABC was that they would provide financial support for the development of the business plans that were identified in the proposal. In addition they would also provide financial support in the development of specific business projects. We are awaiting a written commitment from ABC which we can use to lever funds from Indian Affairs.
• Manitoba Hydro: On July 22, 2003 a meeting took place between Manitoba Hydro Chairman Bob Brennan and Grand Chief Flett and SERDC Chairman John Thunder to discuss a more meaningful involvement on proposed hydro developments in the north. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold, namely, (1) to have Manitoba Hydro support for the leadership organization in all aspects of hydro development and (2) to have Manitoba Hydro support the business development approach by those communities affected by hydro projects. Mr Brennan appointed a senior Manitoba Hydro staff to work with MKO and SERDC staff to develop the concepts of this new relationship and begin to implement the systems that will facilitate the involvement of First Nations in the Business of Hydro Projects so that wealth will be generated by the First Nation people on a sustainable basis.
• Province of Manitoba: On July 31, 2003, we met with Eugene Kostyra, who is a secretary to the Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet and requested funding support for the Project. At that meeting, there were representatives from Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, Industry, Trade and Mines and the Project Manager of the Economic Development Committee of Cabinet. The provincial representatives supported the Project and they will review the proposal and get back to us on what areas they can support financially. I received a call from Northern Affairs that the Deputy Minister Harvey Bostrom is circulating the proposal to other provincial government departments and seeking their financial support. At this time we are awaiting a formal response from the Provincial Government.
  

Immediate Next Steps - The following work needs to be done to implement the Chiefs Economic Development Resolution # 2003-03-01:

• Prepare a funding proposal for Western Economic Diversification and negotiate their share of the funding for the MKO-SERDC economic development strategy.
• Once a letter of financial commitment is received from Aboriginal Business Canada, met with Indian Affairs to release their share of the funding.
• Follow-up with the Provincial Government negotiations
• The Planning Committee will continue to develop the scope of the Strategy and Business Plans and once funds are received consultants will be hired to research and document the Strategies and the Business Plans.
• Contact Grant Chief Francis Flett and Chief John Thunder to obtain a provisional mandate to develop the MKO-SERDC Development Corporation.
• Develop the communication and marketing strategies of the northern economic initiative.
• Maintain active communication links with potential business partners that have indicated their interest in partnering with northern communities on various business ventures.

Meet with the MKO Executive Council as well as SERDC Executive Council to obtain mandate on proceeding with the development and operation of the Corporation and the scope and the Terms of References of the Economic Corporation.