Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development
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Rethinking the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: An Indigenous Perspective
No full textSustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), a widely used analytical tool originating from development studies, aims to identify livelihoods dynamics and suggest solutions for marginalized populations. In this article we argue that a fixed asset model defined within the sustainable livelihoods framework limits adequate understanding of Indigenous culture and livelihoods and therefore fails to acknowledge the historical power imbalances. By making a critical analysis of the term "capital" used in the sustainable livelihoods framework, we argue that for an ethical understanding of development politics, the sustainable livelihoods framework should be supple and accord with a culturally appropriate analysis, definition and terms. This paper presented its argument based on O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation\u27s perspective on sustainable livelihoods and relationships
Aboriginal Women, Mining Negotiations and Project Development
No full textThis article discusses the role and contributions of Aboriginal women to mining negotiations and project development in Canada. Four interviews were conducted in the summer of 2014 as part of my MA thesis in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. The results of these interviews are shared so that they may shed light for on-going experiences of Aboriginal communities with this significant industry.
Participants are not named, and aliases are used according to their direction. Mary Jane and Hazel are the Joint Venture and Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) Coordinators for an Aboriginal community actively involved in mining. Together, they have negotiated numerous agreements for mining that were already happening on and near their traditional lands, as well as future anticipated mining projects. Marion is the elected Vice-President of an economic development enterprise representing several Aboriginal communities; she is also the Vice-President of a joint venture with a mining contracting company. Dianne is the Indigenous Community Relations Manager for a local operation of one of the largest mining companies in the world. Her responsibilities include coordinating relationships with surrounding First Nation communities, engagement initiatives for mine employees and all community members. Dianne also leads a team that coordinates cultural reclamation initiatives alongside land restoration of reclaimed mine sites
Community-based Enterprise as a Strategy for Development in Aboriginal Communities: Learning from Essipit’s Forest Enterprises
No full textThere is growing evidence of the socioeconomic importance of Aboriginal forest enterprises. Aboriginal groups that decide to opt-in to the market economy still face significant challenges. One critical challenge is the matter of harmonizing community members\u27 needs with market requirements. Drawing on a case study in the Essipit Innu First Nation in Canada, this paper examines the successes attained by an Aboriginal community-based enterprise (ACBE) strategy in enhancing sustainable local development. Our results indicate that the community had access to, and expanded, human, natural, social and financial capital. Findings also show that Essipit defines success not only in economic terms, but also through a wider array of goals. This research shows a path towards Aboriginal economic success. It emphasizes the importance of developing a model that is integrated into the community and the local culture
Aboriginal Capitalism: Is Resistance Futile or Fertile?
No full textCapitalism is everywhere. Many Indigenous leaders and scholars argue that it is unavoidable and must be engaged, despite capitalism’s sordid history as a means of assailing Indigenous lands and waters. I ask: Can capitalism be adapted to Indigenous values and principles? Can Indigeneity survive the encounter with capitalism? In this article, I look at the writings of three Indigenous academics — Robert Miller, Duane Champagne, and David Newhouse — and examine their positions on Aboriginal capitalism. Each author offers their perspective on the key problems facing Indigenous communities and individuals as well as the realities of tribal poverty and ubiquitous capitalist markets. How each author understands the key problems in “Indian Country” greatly determines their positions on potential solutions. I argue that capitalism cannot be Aboriginalized or Indigenized without radical, possibly transformative changes to core capitalist tenets. Similarly, I do not believe that Indigenous people and communities can actively engage with capitalist markets without radically changing their core values and principles. I acknowledge that change is a fact of life and society, but I do not believe that capitalism, as pervasive as it is, has to be the inevitable outcome of Indigenous desires for political, cultural, and economic autonomy. There are alternatives, and maybe some not yet imagined, but true alternatives that do not exploit our relatives and maintain balance and harmony in our homelands are worth our best efforts
Examining Aboriginal Employment: 2007–2014
No full textThe employment, unemployment and participation rates are examined for Aboriginals living off-reserve in Canada from 2007 to 2014 as well as for non-Aboriginals for those 15 years and older. Employment is analyzed by educational level, gender and age, province and by industrial sector. The rates of employment and unemployment for Aboriginals have continued to improve in 2014, lessening the differences with non-Aboriginals. These improvements occurred in each age category for both men and women, except for the unemployment rate of Aboriginal women in the 25 to 54 year old group. The Metis employment, participation and unemployment rates have been more favourable than the First Nations for each year from 2007 to 2014. The level of education obtained continued to show a strong positive relationship with the rate of employment for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. When employment rates are examined by educational level, there is very little difference between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. However educational level does not explain the differences in unemployment rates. The highest rate of employment for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in 2014 continued to be in Alberta. Employment continued to increase in the services-producing sector, but decreased in the goods-producing sector for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in 2014
The Story of Healing with O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (OPCN)
No full textIntroduction I went to OPCN for the first time in 2009 to do a household food security survey as a part of my research work at the University of Manitoba. The survey results revealed that OPCN had a high food insecurity; children were surviving on junk food because of limited access to a healthy diet. When I came to Canada a decade ago for graduate work, I came with a stereotypical "romantic" impression of North America, which was built from popular TV shows - beautiful houses with trimmed lawns, clean neighbourhoods, children making snowmen in winter, no slums, poverty or hunger, and abundant resources, which are distributed evenly to all, or at least better than my country. Since my father died because of a doctor\u27s mistake, my mother used to avoid doctors and relied on herbal medicines if we were sick
