Indigenous communities: Investing for an equitable future
Indigenous Peoples in Canada have faced significant losses that prevented them from establishing intergenerational wealth. Many Indigenous communities have been displaced from their land, affecting their livelihoods and ability to establish intergenerational wealth due to acts such as the Williams Treaties of 1923.
In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, Jack Jamieson, Lisa Caswell and Kain Big Canoe of T.E. Indigenous Services discuss the background of these settlements and the complex strategies to rebuild today with the goal of closing the wealth gap.
According to the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS), there are 43,000 Indigenous, Inuit and Métis business owners in Canada. A 2011 CCAB study found that the number of Aboriginal business owners and entrepreneurs is growing at five times the rate of self-employed Canadians. After all, the Indigenous economy is the Canadian economy, and if these communities benefit then we all benefit. These settlement assets will be an important to grow the Indigenous economy.
Managing and growing these settlement assets is a complex process. Each band is unique, thus all of these settlements need to be managed differently to best meet the special needs of each community. The assets are used to help individuals on and off the reserve, and last not only for the present generation, but for several generations to come. Past assets funded a broad range of needs including eldercare, affordable housing, mental health, education, public works or things a municipality would normally provide.
Our society has a great need to support and elevate the diverse voices, strengths, and unique approaches of Indigenous Peoples to truly benefit from our diversity.
To learn more about Jack Jamieson
LinkedIn: Jack Jamieson
About: https://www.tewealth.com/portfolio-item/jack-jamieson/
To learn more about Lisa Caswell
LinkedIn: Lisa Caswell
About: https://www.tewealth.com/portfolio-item/lisa-caswell/
To learn more about Kain Big Canoe
LinkedIn: Kain Big Canoe
About: https://www.tewealth.com/portfolio-item/kain-big-canoe/