6. Strategic Economic Initiative (SEI) Program A grant program that provides funding to First Nations, Tribal Councils, First Nation companies and organizations, or non-First Nation organizations for projects that demonstrate both significant strategic value and sustainable economic partnerships with other stakeholders such as government or industry. Aboriginal Relations
7. Economic Capacity Building (ECB) Program This program aims to increase the ability of First Nations to implement economic development initiatives through the development of learning networks, sharing of best practices and the development and use of training tools. Aboriginal Relations
8. Example of a project funded under the ECB program Alexander First Nation – Tourism Destination Analysis. Aboriginal Relations
9. Regional Partnership Development Program (RPD) A funding program for Tribal Councils and unaffiliated First Nations to hire Regional Economic Partnership Coordinators (REPCs), to identify and facilitate partnerships between First Nations and Industry. Aboriginal Relations
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12. First Nation Stakeholders Chiefs, Band Mangers, Ec Dev portfolio holders on Council, REPCs, Economic Development Officers (EDOs), and Officials from the three Treaty Areas Industry Stakeholders 1 Focus Group held 1 Focus Group held FNEPI Staff REPC’s 6 Focus Groups held 1 Focus Group held Evaluative Documents conducted by a consultant with a Review Committee chaired by Darryll White 5 Key benefits of FNEPI, 6 consistent themes relating to strengths and 8 themes relating to weaknesses Questionnaire on Industry Matrix Questionnaire and open-ended Questions 5 Recommendations (May impact other parties) 7 Issues directly related to FNEPI 3 Issues indirectly related to FNEPI 3 Recommendations (May impact other parties) Qualitative Data Collection Meta Data Analysis SWOT Analysis of FNEPI for each Stakeholder group METHODOLOGY
16. Progress To Date Create an advisory committee Develop Measures Increased visits to communities Increased consistency internally in working files. Clarification and streamlining of reporting requirements Discontinuation of funding holdbacks Replacement of reporting templates Development of financial reporting templates. For RPD, we now have a set list of eligible expenses Development of standard contribution templates for use with all funding of more than $10,000 Aboriginal Relations
Good Morning I am very pleased to be here. I want to acknowledge the Chiefs, Elders and Metis Leaders and thank you all for joining us today. I would like to thank the organizers for giving me the opportunity to speak on this very important topic – Opening the toolbox for First Nation Economic Development.
I will touch on the following subjects. I will be happy to answer your questions.
The government of Alberta approved the Aboriginal Policy Framework in September 2000. The APF represents the first comprehensive policy framework dealing with Aboriginal Relations produced by a provincial government. The APF establishes goals, principles, and commitments to guide provincial departments and agencies to enhance relationships with aboriginal governments, organizations and communities. Focus on 3 themes: Self reliance among Alberta Aboriginal people. Self sufficiency amongst the Aboriginal population. Clarifying roles and responsibility of Federal, Provincial and Aboriginal communities.
FNEPI is a 5-year program 2005-06 to 2009-10. This fiscal year, the budget is $3.61 million which is not a lot, but is a step in the right direction. FNEPI is a cross-ministry initiative led by IIAR and supported by programs in EII. It consists of 7 programs that aim to build capacity at the leadership and community levels, provide employment training tools, encourage economic partnerships, and support Aboriginal business.
Strategic Economic Initiatives (SEI) Program – 17 Projects A grant program that provides funding (up to $100,000) to First Nations, Tribal Councils, First Nation companies and organizations, or non-First Nation organizations for projects that demonstrate both significant strategic value and sustainable economic partnerships with other stakeholders such as government or industry.
Economic Capacity Building (ECB) Program This program aims to increase the ability of First Nations to implement economic development initiatives through the development of learning networks, sharing of best practices and the development and use of training tools.
Economic Capacity Building (ECB) Program Currently, Alexander FN is in the process of researching and developing an Alexander Tourist Destination Region. This is being done through the newly developed KIPOHTAKAW TOURISM DEVELOPMENT INC. The goal is to increase Alexander's participation in the tourism industry through the development of a : Golf Course, Conference Center/Hotel, RV Park and updating our existing campground. This is being done on the Western Reserve boundaries bordering Sandy Lake. This one step towards self sustainability for our First Nation as we will start generating commercial and tourism revenues for our respective First Nation.
Regional Partnership Development (RPD) Program – 14 Agreements A funding program (up to $125,000) for Tribal Councils and unaffiliated First Nations to hire Regional Economic Partnership Coordinators (REPCs), to identify and facilitate partnerships between First Nations and industry and regional coordination.
Essentially to help the community obtain expertise in economic capacity building and partnership development. - Next is FNEPI REVIEW -
FNEPI completed its 2 nd year of operation on March 31, 2007 The review analyses and integrates stakeholder feedback collected through focus groups with First Nations and Industry partners, a questionnaire to all First Nations communities and evaluative information collected by IIAR and EII (listed in report under methodology)
Report Methodology.
Most stakeholders mentioned that they are pleased to see the province initiate programs to support First Nations economic development and building relationships with First Nations that has been lacking. The program is seen as flexible, supporting many projects, Follow through on the Aboriginal Policy Framework that responds to real needs in the communities. Design and Intent is a strength. Coordination made possible by the REPC’s were seen as a major strengh of FNEPI.
Program design and funding was seen as inadequate. Differences of size, geography and population base need to be acknowledged. There is no component of any of the programs that addresses the issue of equity financing. Program processes are not clear and follow up needs to be more consistent. No standard formats existed for activity reports etc… (these have been addressed, are in the works) Government programs are difficult to understand in relation to one another – need clearly defined requirements and expectations to separate them from other programs. Clear measurable results and accountabilities need to be put in place for FNEPI (for some the expected results are not clear). Communications – for some stakeholders FNEPI is complicated and not easy to understand and explain. Communication strategy needs improvement. Need to strengthen and support the REPC network. Emphasis should be put on skills base and training since REPC’s were not all hired at the same time and there are knowledge gaps.
We received a complete swot analysis on FNEPI as well as a series of recommendations which are currently in review. I thought I’d share this I thought I’d share this background information on one of the recommendations from the review document. This table shows the disconnect between stakeholders and industry.
Thank you for the opportunity to present and I would be pleased to answer some questions at this time.
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