The National Indigenous Economic Development Board is celebrating more than 30 years of service since its establishment in 1990 via the release of a retrospective video.

Over the past 30 years and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the NIEDB has committed to its vision of developing policies to sustain a prosperous Indigenous economy throughout the country and beyond.

In addition to advising the federal government, the National Board has released a variety of research and policy analysis papers on Indigenous economic development, and has hosted forums and roundtables to continue the conversation.

“The strength of the Board are that we are all Indigenous leaders. All of us are Indigenous. Whether it’s First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, we bring our backgrounds and our grassroots problems and issues and concerns to the Board. We all speak from our own personal experience. We all have great ideas of what’s important for us moving forward to make good policy recommendations to the government because we’ve lived it firsthand.”

Hilda Broomfield Letemplier, Member of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

There is still much work to do, and the post-pandemic era presents many difficulties, particularly for Indigenous communities and businesses, but it also represents a prime opportunity for Indigenous peoples, communities, and businesses to take their rightful place within Canada’s economic future. When Indigenous communities prosper, so do the regions around them.

Produced by Matt LeMay (formerly Filmmaker-in-Residence with Canadian Geographic), this video provides an overview of the work of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board and a glimpse at the dynamic personalities who make up its membership. Matt LeMay is an award-winning Métis filmmaker from Pembroke, Ontario (https://www.lemaymedia.net/).

30 years ago, a First Nations person couldn’t even go in and get a loan. You had to have a band guarantee. We wanted, as communities, some capacity and some control. Access to capital was one of the major things and also more control in the decision making. The Board, I think its greatest strength is the makeup of the number of the participants because we get a perspective from across Canada. We understand that we’re all different.

Ruth Williams, Member of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

Full Press Release

Long Version of Video

The Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), Dawn Madahbee Leach, will be participating in a Side Event entitled “Economic Reconciliation and the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Monday, April 25, 2002 from 19:00 – 20:30 EDT.

Hosted by the Government of Canada, this Side Event provides an opportunity to share views on the implementation of the UN Declaration in various states, its links to the economic development of Indigenous peoples, and how the Declaration can be leveraged as a tool for the full realization of the economic potential of Indigenous peoples.

The implementation of the rights enshrined within the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a framework that will help achieve economic reconciliation – to the benefit of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike.

Dawn Madahbee Leach
Chairperson, National Indigenous Economic Development Board

Full Press Release

The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Victoria LaBillois, who on June 17, 2021, was appointed as the Board’s new Vice-Chairperson.

Ms. LaBillois has been a member of the Board since June 18, 2018.  Ms. LaBillois holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick and is currently the President of Wejuseg Construction Inc.

Victoria serves as mentor for the Coady International Institute’s Indigenous Women in Community Leadership and New Brunswick’s JEDI Aboriginal Business Accelerator Program.  She is bilingual and teaches financial literacy to Indigenous youth.

We would also like to welcome two new Board Members to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. On December 10, 2021, the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, confirmed Mr. Dana Soonias and Mr. Robert Dickson in these roles.

Dana Soonias is the Director of Economic Development and Employment Training Services at the Saskatoon Tribal Council. He is a former Chairperson of AFOA Canada and the Aboriginal Entrepreneur Committee of National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), as well as a previous member of the First Nations Financial Management Board. Mr. Soonias has over twenty-five years executive leadership experience overseeing organizational restructuring, developing strategic and investment diversity in economic portfolios, leveraging partnerships to build capacity, and creating stability and long-term growth in the profit and not for profit sectors.

Robert Dickson is the Chief Executive Officer of Attawapiskat Enterprises INC., group of companies, and one of the Founders of the Aboriginal and Visible Minority Supplier Council. Mr. Dickson, who has had executive leadership roles in the profit, not for profit and public sectors, is known as a strong leader with excellent negotiation, interpersonal, presentation and public relations skills. He is committed to renewal and on-going change. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Under the leadership of our Chairperson, Dawn Madahbee Leach, and our Vice-Chairperson, Victoria LaBillois, and energized by the addition of our new members, the NIEDB looks forward to continued progress on a number of priorities, including the next iteration of the National Indigenous Economic Progress Report in 2023 to measure Indigenous inclusion in the economy.

Quotes

I would like to extend my congratulations to Victoria LaBillois on her appointment as Vice-Chairperson of the NIEDB. Her leadership, energy and enthusiasm will be invaluable in reaching our goals and providing expert advice and guidance to the Government of Canada. The breadth and depth of her knowledge in relation to Indigenous economic development is unparalleled.

“At the same time, I am very pleased to welcome Dana Soonias and Bob Dickson to the NIEDB. Between them they bring a wide variety of experience and expertise that will be crucial to developing well-rounded recommendations to the federal government on a comprehensive range of Indigenous economic development issues.

Dawn Madahbee Leach

Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

The work of the NIEDB is imperative in helping rebuild Indigenous economies. I am happy to serve in the role of Vice-Chair, alongside a Board committed to sharing their knowledge and voices.

Victoria LaBillois, MBA

Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

It is my great honor to serve as a member of the NIEDB, working closely with my new colleagues towards strategic initiatives that will influence policy for our communities and entrepreneurs across the country.

Dana Soonias

Member, NIEDB

I am delighted to be a member of the NIEDB and look forward to working with my colleagues on behalf of Indigenous peoples across Canada. I look forward to learning and serving.

Bob Dickson

Member, NIEDB

Quick facts

• The National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) is the only national, non-political organization of its kind. It is mandated to provide strategic policy advice and guidance to the federal government on issues of Indigenous economic development.
• Composed of First Nations, Inuit and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada, the Board helps governments respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
• The principal role of all NIEDB board members is to provide strategic policy and program advice to the federal government on all matters pertaining to Indigenous economic development.

 

The Board would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Dawn Madahbee Leach, who on April 30, 2021, was appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.

Ms. Madahbee Leach has been a member of the Board since 2002, and has been an advocate for Indigenous economic prosperity for many years. Ms. Madahbee Leach possesses that rare combination of vision, fairness, and understanding— crucial qualities for an effective leader.

Under Dawn’s leadership, the Board has identified four priority areas to inform engagement efforts and advice to the federal government:
o Developing a National Indigenous Economic Strategy;
o Advancing Economic Reconciliation;
o Regional Economic Development for Indigenous Peoples; and,
o Closing the Data Gap on Key Indigenous Economic Indicators.

These objectives include targeted and strategic deliverables that aim to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The Board is looking forward to Ms. Madahbee Leach’s continued leadership in her new role, and the contribution she will make towards the growth and success of Indigenous economic development priorities in Canada.

We would like to welcome our three new Board Members to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. In October 2020, we welcomed Danielle Levine, Michael Bonshor and Andy Moorhouse to the Board.

Danielle Levine BA, MBA is a Métis business educator, program designer and facilitator originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Danielle is an independent consultant that provides skill development, coaching, and ongoing support in entrepreneurship for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and beyond.

Michael Bonshor, CPA is a member of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet.  Michael has worked with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to advance self-governance through economic development the past 20 years. He is President and CEO of Visions First Nations Financial Services/Ki’mola Indigenous Capital and Managing Director of First Nations Business Development Association (BC).

Andy Moorhouse was born in Montreal, and grew up in the northern village of Inukjuak and currently resides in Inukjuak, Nunavik. At the age of 20, he was elected in 1999 as a member of the municipal council of Inukjuak, in 2003, became the Mayor for one term from 2003 to 2005, then he gradually rose through the ranks to his most recent post of vice-president of the Makivik Corporation in charge of economic developmentAll three new Board members have extensive amounts of knowledge in Indigenous economic development and will contribute greatly to the Board’s work.