Abstract
From the perspective of two industry practitioners, Chelsie Klassen, Global Director, Community Engagement and Social Performance, and Britany Ostridge, Specialist at Hatch, this session offers a 20-minute discussion on the burgeoning environment of Indigenous economic participation in major resource development projects in Canada.
Focused on tangible actions and outcomes, attendees will gain insights into various learnings and strategies that support Indigenous economic development, in partnership with communities.
Such strategic efforts include building economic relationships based on recognition of Indigenous Rights and mutual respect, corporate policies and processes that supports economic inclusion, social procurement as a practice, community investment including efforts to design and build longer term sustainable local economies, and ever-changing policy and regulatory requirements related to economic participation in projects.
Underpinning this session is the understanding that successful inclusion has various definitions and depends on the perspectives of Indigenous communities engaged, supporting Indigenous self-determination.
To aid the discussion, the following factors will be explored:
- Recognition of s. 35 Constitutional Rights, at the forefront of relationships with government and industry
- Building dedicated measures, tools and resources, in company operations and commercial activity to support Indigenous community inclusion
- Participation in major projects, revenue and equity arrangements, economic inclusion through procurement processes, and partnerships
- Importance of capacity building and community investment, to ensure meaningful opportunities to advance economic interests and support regional sustainable development and economic prosperity, including innovative industries
- Changing policy and regulatory requirements, enhancing economic inclusion efforts