When First Nations communities are approached regarding a business venture or opportunity the first question they ask isn't
SO, how can these issues of time be addressed?
Knowledge is key. If you are a developer, planner or engineer looking to invest into a First Nations community, especially one that is new to economic development, learn their process for economic development PRIOR to approaching them! Urban Aboriginal communities and nations or those communities already successfully developing their land already already have a process that this may or may not apply to. Knowing how to proceed BEFORE you proceed is generally the best solution for both parties.
Since most developers and businesses aren't interested nor able to wait a six months prior to even knowing if their proposition will even be accepted or approved how can communities move forward, especially if they are new to economic development. How can land, business or economic development opportunities not be missed or have to be passed over because time is a factor?
If communities don't have the capacity to create or fund full time positions in their community related to business or economic development on a full time basis... perhaps hiring summer students and interns may provide the solution- at least the basis for their solution. Summer interns can open the door to development by engaging community land designation discussions by asking two questions and compiling their research:
"If our band were to begin assessments for land/ economic development - which 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 (number determined by community) acre parcel do you think our community should focus on?"; &
"What would you like to see built on the land appointed by the community";
Communities can begin the assessments and research they need to not only present to their community, receive direction and seek approval for 'zoning' or designations. Some communities are already doing this, some communities have their own way of doing things and some may completely disagree with what I have written here. In that case, they can agree on one thing. Knowing how to proceed BEFORE you proceed is generally the best solution for both parties.
Website (under construction): www.thestartingpointbc.com
"How will this look if we do this?"
and it's not
"How much money can this make me?"
or
"How much will this cost me?"
either!
or
"How much will this cost me?"
either!
This is hard for Non-Native developers, investors and business minded individuals to understand because those are the common questions people have. While these questions do come to mind they are not the FIRST questions that come to mind!
Understanding this little difference will aid developers, planners, engineers and business owners or corporations when approaching a First Nations community with plans for economic development. I stress this point based on my experience with economic development ventures that didn't make it passed the initial "pitching" process with an Aboriginal community. A pitching process where the seller appeases only to our sense of image or bottom dollar and probably gets a polite smile or nod and a "thank you for your time" as we move in another direction.
Understanding this little difference will aid developers, planners, engineers and business owners or corporations when approaching a First Nations community with plans for economic development. I stress this point based on my experience with economic development ventures that didn't make it passed the initial "pitching" process with an Aboriginal community. A pitching process where the seller appeases only to our sense of image or bottom dollar and probably gets a polite smile or nod and a "thank you for your time" as we move in another direction.
So what will a First Nations community generally ask?
These are all questions (in no particular order) that go through the mind of First Nations communities and need to be answered to some degree before even being considered.
- What is the impact this development/ business will have on my community?
- How will this development/ business benefit my community?
- Who are these people and what do I know about their business?
- What is the proposed time frame for this development? Can we meet that?
- Will this business/ development likely be supported by the community/ nation?
- How much of this can we make into employment opportunities for the community/ nation?
So here's some things you need to know what you are proposing development or a business venture with a First Nations community based on understanding the first nations community process for economic development.
What is the impact this development/ business will have on my community?
Will this development require land? over how long? is the area of interest already developed or will it need to be developed for the first time? Is this band land or lands owned/ shared by band members? What is this land currently being used for? What's on this land already? Are there any significant/ harvesting/ historical/ sacred sites on or near the property in question? What about local species, species at risk, endangered species?
If this proposed area is approved and developed does access to the local and surrounding areas become a concern? How will those concerns be addressed? What kind of traffic will this bring to that area? can the area handle the increase in traffic? Can the current water supply sustain the current and growing community combined with all those who will come with this added development? How can we use this development to improve the water quality/ access for this development and future developments including our community's needs?
How will this development/ business benefit my community?
Communities generally have an idea of what they will and will not support on their land base. Just as cities have zoning and planning bylaws first nations communities already have a community vision or plan for what they would like to see in their community- some may already have an economic development officer or board of director's; some may have a comprehensive community plan or adapted bylaws into their community pertinent to economic development- so do some research.
If this proposed area is approved and developed does access to the local and surrounding areas become a concern? How will those concerns be addressed? What kind of traffic will this bring to that area? can the area handle the increase in traffic? Can the current water supply sustain the current and growing community combined with all those who will come with this added development? How can we use this development to improve the water quality/ access for this development and future developments including our community's needs?
How will this development/ business benefit my community?
Will this create jobs for the community? Jobs in each phase of development and at various levels? How many of the community/ nation members can currently work on this project? Is there an opportunity to create training for the community to work on or with this project? How can I ensure the community/ nation is given the opportunity for employment in every level (and not just labour- but to construction, design or decoration)? Can we provide job shadowing with this project? If so then How and if not Why not?
Once the project is complete and the development is complete how many members can this employ in the long term? Can we use this development as a segway to bring other development? and finally... how much revenue will this bring in to the community and for how long?
Once the project is complete and the development is complete how many members can this employ in the long term? Can we use this development as a segway to bring other development? and finally... how much revenue will this bring in to the community and for how long?
What do I know about the history of the company/ business that's proposing this business?
Is this a local developer? Are the from the same city? region? province? country? what do they know about our community? our nation? our territory? What do they know about working with Indigenous communities? Do they understand what this property is (or means) to the community? Are they willing to learn? What's their social/ community foot print look like? What's their current relationship with Indigenous peoples or communities?
What is the proposed time frame for this development? Can we meet that?
Indigenous communities require adequate time to gather information and present it to their membership in a variety of methods prior to approving or committing to it. They need time to perform and/ or access *T.E.K. assessments, community research and history of the proposed property and surrounding land base. This is not a fast or easy process. *T.E.K. Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Does this developer know and understand that?
Does this developer know and understand that?
- If not, we will most likely say no at that point because business development, especially when it involves land development- takes time and if time is a factor or key in the start or success of this project that's not a factor we can meet.;
- If they do understand, we will start the process that begins with the community economic development officers, business planners or the chief/ council. They gather the facts and information on the business, the company, the assessment results and the impacts and benefits. This information is compiled into a document to be distributed and presented to the membership. Membership reviews and has the opportunity to address any concerns and ask any questions this development raises and eventually put to a referendum as outlined in the community bylaws or the indian act. This may take as long as 8-12 weeks and voted for or against.
In the event the development is approved by community, in most (not all but most) cases the community and economic development team must submit their proposal to the Canadian department vested with the authority to approve or deny community development projects. This process can take from 8-12 weeks and up to a few years. Dependent on the project and the community. (Please note I have only heard of a few communities having to wait a few years for approvals.)
Therefore if a developer does not have the ability nor willingness to wait a minimum of six months to a year - for approvals (and most aren't) they are most often rejected by communities in the beginning discussions.
Will this business/ development be supported by the community/ nation?
How much of this can we make into employment opportunities for the community/ nation?
How can I ensure the community/ nation is given the opportunity for employment in every level (and not just labour- but to construction, design or decoration)? Can we provide job shadowing with this project? If so then How and if not Why not? Once the project is complete and the development is complete how many members can this employ in the long term? Do i currently have members who can fulfill varied roles in this project?
Please note,
SO, how can these issues of time be addressed?
Knowledge is key. If you are a developer, planner or engineer looking to invest into a First Nations community, especially one that is new to economic development, learn their process for economic development PRIOR to approaching them! Urban Aboriginal communities and nations or those communities already successfully developing their land already already have a process that this may or may not apply to. Knowing how to proceed BEFORE you proceed is generally the best solution for both parties.
Since most developers and businesses aren't interested nor able to wait a six months prior to even knowing if their proposition will even be accepted or approved how can communities move forward, especially if they are new to economic development. How can land, business or economic development opportunities not be missed or have to be passed over because time is a factor?
If communities don't have the capacity to create or fund full time positions in their community related to business or economic development on a full time basis... perhaps hiring summer students and interns may provide the solution- at least the basis for their solution. Summer interns can open the door to development by engaging community land designation discussions by asking two questions and compiling their research:
"If our band were to begin assessments for land/ economic development - which 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 (number determined by community) acre parcel do you think our community should focus on?"; &
"What would you like to see built on the land appointed by the community";
Communities can begin the assessments and research they need to not only present to their community, receive direction and seek approval for 'zoning' or designations. Some communities are already doing this, some communities have their own way of doing things and some may completely disagree with what I have written here. In that case, they can agree on one thing. Knowing how to proceed BEFORE you proceed is generally the best solution for both parties.
If you would like to know more about this or the many other topics related to the First Nations Economic Development process for economic development please feel free to connect and if you would like to book Victoria to come to your event, venue, business or organization please contact her via email to make your request.
Email: info[at]thestartingpointbc[dot]com
Facebook: thestartingpointBC
Twitter: StartingPointBC
Facebook: thestartingpointBC
Twitter: StartingPointBC
Website (under construction): www.thestartingpointbc.com
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