Canadian First Nation community economic development planning: Key factors for success

TitleCanadian First Nation community economic development planning: Key factors for success
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsManuel CD
AdvisorRobinson M
Academic DepartmentEnvironmental Design (Planning)
DegreeMaster of Environmental Design M. E.Des.
Number of Pages134
UniversityUniversity of Calgary (Canada)
CityCalgary, AB
Keywordscommunity capacity, community development, decentralization, economic development, First Nation, INAC, planning
Abstract

First Nations in Canada desire to design sustainable socio-economic development strategies to create positive change that will lead to improvements in their socio-economic conditions. It is a goal of all First Nations people to move forward so they can become self-determining, by overcoming the sole dependency on federal decentralization programs. Some First Nations are realizing success by integrating their own unique community development approach with federal decentralization programs to create optimum conditions for themselves.The research is intended to provide First Nations and INAC with a self assessment tool known as the Community Capacity Index (from the composite indicators and respective sub indicators) to measure socio-economic development. The composite indicators came primarily from the Harvard Study on Indian Economic Development and the Strategically Positioned First Nation, both comprehensive studies that provided knowledge about First Nations socio-economic conditions. The composite indicators are: governance, economic growth strategy, internal capacity, respect/incorporation of language and culture. The 27 sub-indicators were developed from these comprehensive pieces of research, other notable research, and finally, from case studies from successful First Nations across Canada.First Nation communities that have received Economic Developers of the Year from CANDO, a National Aboriginal Organization, are examined. The examination of the nine First Nation communities looks at how these communities rated in terms of the Community Capacity Index. The analysis of this data shows that internal capacity is the focus in their development strategies. Economic growth was rated second, while respect/incorporation of culture was rated third, and finally, governance was rated fourth. The underlying lesson is that it is possible for any First Nation to be successful, so long as they integrate their own unique community development approach, with federal decentralization programs.Recommendations are made for the federal government and First Nations, which focus on clear, simple steps that can be taken to provide the tools to First Nations to begin helping themselves to move forward in terms of designing sustainable socio-economic development.

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