3 September 2010
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada’s Aboriginal communities will benefit from a federal investment to implement an economic development strategy to strengthen and sustain First Nations in Atlantic Canada. The initiative will be carried out by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (APCFNC).
“The Government of Canada is contributing more than $287,000 to further enhance the economic growth of Aboriginal communities within Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our Government is committed to fostering the conditions and developing the tools required to support the long-term economic prosperity of Aboriginal communities in the region.”
“Improving economic opportunities for Aboriginal people in Canada is a priority for our Government,” said the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. “By working together with partners such as the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, we are helping Aboriginal people to chart a path towards a brighter, more prosperous future.”
ACOA and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) are each contributing $143,525 to the APCFNC to carry out three initiatives, which stem from the Atlantic Aboriginal Economy Building Strategy. Endorsed by the First Nations Chiefs, the Strategy provides a roadmap for the long-term social and economic growth of Aboriginal people and communities within Atlantic Canada.
“Implementing the Atlantic Aboriginal Economy Building Strategy is one of the main priorities identified by the Atlantic Chiefs, and the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Developers Network has played an instrumental role in implementing this Strategy,” said John G. Paul, Executive Director, APCFNC. “We are looking forward to working on initatives that will help market our communities, attract investments to our growing economy, and promote Atlantic Aboriginal economic development in our region.”
The federal funding will go toward three initiatives, which are expected to play a major role in determining the future of Aboriginal economic development in the Atlantic region. They include:
- The APCFNC will host the 2nd annual Aboriginal Business Dynamics Conference on September 9, 2010, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This event provides an opportunity for Aboriginal businesses and private sector representatives to talk to experts, make contacts, and create long-term partnerships and joint ventures for community and economic development.
- The APCFNC will work on the development of 33 Atlantic Aboriginal Community Profiles featuring labour and economic indicators, designed to assist communities in marketing themselves in future business development endeavors.
- On-going funding for the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Developers Network (AAEDN) will allow economic development officers to continue to have a forum to share knowledge and best practices, and allow for the development of regional-based projects and initiatives. The first network of its kind in Canada, the AAEDN has been endorsed by the Atlantic Chiefs to carry out the Atlantic Aboriginal Economy Building Strategy in Atlantic Canada.
These initiatives, and the Strategy behind them, are in keeping with the Government’s Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. Released in June 2009, the Framework is a modern and comprehensive approach to Aboriginal economic development that is opportunity-driven and puts emphasis on building strategic partnerships with Aboriginal groups, the private sector and the provinces and territories.
The APCFNC is a non-profit organization comprised of 38 Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Innu and Passamaquoddy Chiefs from the four Atlantic Provinces and Maine, USA. The APCFNC’s three main objectives are to create a forum to enable First Nations Chiefs to speak with one voice on policy matters affecting its member First Nations communities and nations; to research, analyze and develop alternatives to federal policies; and to develop and table First Nations policy positions.
Atlantic Canada’s Aboriginal communities will benefit from a federal investment for three economic development initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth. A business conference, marketing tools and on-going support for the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Developers Network will assist in the implementation of an economic strategy to strengthen and sustain First Nations communities throughout the region. ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield said these initiatives will further enhance the long-term economic growth and success of Aboriginal communities within Atlantic Canada.
The Government of Canada is providing more than $287,000 in funding assistance for these initiatives through ACOA and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
APCFNC
Rose May Gallant
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-3034
Debra L. Ackles Adams
Manager, Communications
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
902-661-6372
