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Business decisions for first nations are complex
Considering a proposal becomes a major, collective, community affair
Cheryl Ziola
Special to the Sun
Monday, August 08, 2005
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=ea6a19ff-61cf-4a03-8f47-796c5ebdcdff
CREDIT: Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun files
Sustainability takes on a bigger meaning for first nations, for
whom opportunity often involves natural resources.
First nations in British Columbia face an enormous education challenge as they
move towards new forms of community autonomy. A new generation of
decision-makers needs to be groomed to participate in community decisions
leading to sustainable economic development.
Sustainability has a more comprehensive meaning in first nation communities
than the narrow "keep it green" definition commonly used in non-native society.
The aboriginal definition embraces heritage, culture and community values as
well as the environment.
Therefore, when a first nations community collectively assesses the
attractiveness of a business opportunity, the community needs to determine
whether cultural and environmental values will be sustained if the business is
developed.
An assurance of economic sustainability is also required, because a short-term
business venture, particularly one that loses money, can leave a legacy of
disappointment.
Young people in first nations communities today will, as adults, be faced with
the responsibility of making unprecedented business decisions that have
economic, environmental and cultural ramifications for their communities.
Anything that can be done to prepare them for this emerging role will benefit
the entire province in the future.
This is what led our association, FORED BC, to enter into a partnership program
intended to help prepare this new generation of native youth for the emerging
challenges of economic self-determination. FORED is a non-profit association
engaged in helping citizens to participate in making informed community choices
on sustainability. Since the economic options for many first nations
communities will involve natural resources, we were fortunate in creating a
partnership with the Aboriginal Forest Industries Council, or AFIC. This first
nations business association has a mission to "spearhead the development of
first nations forestry based on traditional values."
The partnership will involve a combination of information resources and
mentorship. The information resources will simulate the types of community
evaluations that need to be made when a new natural resource business is being
considered. Resource materials will address a list of "need to know" categories
to help a community reach consensus. These will include questions such as, "How
to determine environmental impacts? Does this business fit with community
heritage? Will the jobs be short-term?"
The mentor component will provide leadership for the simulation process.
All of this may sound unusual to an urban dweller who is seldom consulted or
involved in decisions regarding economic development in the city. With the
exception of high-profile developments like a new Wal-Mart, most decisions are
made by unknown bureaucrats in planning departments.
Not so in the aboriginal culture. The average first nations community in B.C.
numbers 600 people; many are much smaller. Understandably, the introduction of
a new business of any size has a significant impact.
If that business also has the potential to threaten environmental or cultural
values, the impact is even greater.
If it is on shaky economic ground and creates false hopes that are soon dashed,
recovery can take years. So a new business can become a major, collective
community decision. Aboriginal communities need the tools to participate
knowledgeably in such decisions. As they advance towards greater community
autonomy, more decisions will be made with even higher stakes.
That is the basis for the partnership between FORED and AFIC.
We often hear the term "need for certainty" from the business community in B.C.
when discussing aboriginal relations. Some might see the resolution of treaties
as the end point in this quest for "certainty". But if we define certainty as
satisfaction, it is doubtful we will have certainty as long as unemployment in
the 80 per cent range prevails in many first nations communities.
If we start today to give communities the skill sets, research and confidence
to make sustainable economic decisions, we will make significant progress
towards that goal of true certainty.
The partnership between FORED and AFIC is a small step along that path.
Cheryl Ziola is the president of FORED BC.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Native News North
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