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Dartmouth, N.S. (February 16, 2010) – Individuals and organizations dedicated to Aboriginal economic development in Atlantic Canada are gathering in Dartmouth this week as part of the continued implementation of the Aboriginal Economy Building Strategy.
Let’s Work Together: A Conference on Creating Meaningful and Sustainable Employment for Atlantic Aboriginal People, will take place February 16 – 18th at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn. It is the second annual conference organized by the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program, (AAEDIRP).
Approximately 150 people from across the region, including leaders from Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Innu and Inuit communities will be represented to share their successes and visions for the future. They will share best practices, as well as specific success stories, in view of creating meaningful and sustainable employment for Atlantic Aboriginal people. This includes cooperation at the Aboriginal community level, partnering with the private sector, working in collaboration with provincial and federal governments, with educators and in a broader Canadian context.
“By coming together and sharing our best practices, we can learn from each other and also chart a future course of action to ensure that there is sustainable employment for our communities,” says APC Co-Chair Chief Noah Augustine of Metepenagiag First Nation, N.B. “It is encouraging to have a conference that focuses on how we can work together across the region,” he added. APC Co-Chair Chief Lawrence Paul of Millbrook First Nation, N.S. adds that “Economic development and education are the lifelines of our people and we must create opportunities for youth and future generations”.
Highlights of the conference will include addresses by Chief Mi’sel Joe, Miawpukek (Conne River) First Nation and Theresa Hollett, Impact and Benefit Agreement Coordinator for the Nunatsiavut Government. Dan Christmas, Membertou’s Senior Advisor and Paul Rich, CEO of the Innu Development Limited Partnership, will share his partnerships that support the Labrador Innu. The attached conference program highlights other important elements of the conference that, together, will form the basis for a meaningful discussion on the future of Aboriginal communities in Atlantic Canada.
Endorsed by the Atlantic Chiefs, and launched in 2007, and the Atlantic Economy Building Strategy sets a clear vision for success for Aboriginal economic development. One of the main pillars of the strategy is AAEDIRP, which will conduct research on Aboriginal economic development that is relevant to communities, build Aboriginal research capacity, create a database and hold workshops on Aboriginal economic development. Participants will also identify what future research should be done and their input will inform the direction of an AAEDIRP funded research project.
The AAEDIRP is a unique research program formed through partnerships between the 38 member communities of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs (APCFNC), plus the Inuit, 12 Atlantic universities and 4 government funders, both federal and provincial. The APCFNC is a policy research organization that analyzes and develops culturally relevant alternatives to federal policies that impact on the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu Aboriginal communities and peoples.
For more information and to arrange for media interviews
Mark Boudreau
(902) 425-1860 (ext. 260)
mboudreau@mtlpr.ca
