Volume 15, Number 2, Fall 2025

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Bearspaw First Nation has accomplished so much in the field of Indigenous economic development through Rob Shotclose’s leadership and the visionary work of his Nation.

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This case study explores how Fishing Lake First Nation (FLFN) responded to the $101.3 million “Cows and Plows” settlement under Treaty 4 by choosing long-term, Nation-led investment over one-time payouts. Confronted with internal tensions between per capita distribution demands and the need for intergenerational wealth, FLFN created the Waywaynih Kunawapunteeing Trust, a sovereign, legislated financial structure that protects capital, supports per capita payments through authorized loans, and generates sustainable returns to fund community priorities. Through culturally grounded governance, financial education, and strategic compromise, FLFN offers a replicable model for Indigenous Nations who are navigating the complexities of large-scale settlements. This study highlights the practical and political challenges of balancing immediate member benefit with enduring Nation-building, offering key insights for communities managing similar historic claims.

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This case study examines the development of the Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), the economic organization of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN), tracing its growth from initial community-based ventures to larger undertakings such as the co-management of Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Park) and the acquisition of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria. These initiatives illustrate how gradual capacity-building and learning processes allowed the Nation to engage in complex economic activities over time. This case study highlights four central practices found in the Snuneymuxw experience: starting with manageable projects that build operational knowledge and human capital; maintaining a long-term vision for development; aligning investments with cultural values and place-based priorities; and diversifying revenue sources to strengthen economic resilience. The PDG’s trajectory highlights how community-led planning and culturally grounded decision-making can shape sustainable pathways toward self-determination and economic sovereignty.

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Indigenous communities in Northern Canada face rapid climate change that threatens their local ecosystems, food security, cultural ties to the land, and connections to the rest of Canada. Participating in climate adaptation efforts is crucial for Indigenous well-being, self-determination, and economic involvement amid a changing climate. We interviewed a total of 11 people drawn from the Elders, land users, community leaders, Indigenous business owners, and nonprofit staff at Black Lake, Fond du Lac, and Hatchet Lake Denesųłiné First Nations in Northern Saskatchewan. For over 40 years, these knowledge holders observed how climate change threatened their communities’ traditional practices and the Denesųłiné way of life. They also discussed various adaptive measures that could bolster local economic development. In this paper, we present community perspectives on one specific climate adaptation action: high-latitude tree line afforestation. While community members are concerned that afforestation could harm wildlife (especially barren-ground caribou), be undertaken without local consent and control, and facilitate the spread of invasive species, they also hope that an afforestation project could create jobs, involve youth, support the local economy, and contribute to fighting climate change.

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This article explores the complex history of reindeer herding in North America and contextualizes its connection to other Arctic Indigenous nations, from the Sámi people to its contemporary management by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). Reindeer herding was initially introduced in North America in the late nineteenth century as a solution to declining caribou populations and this practice evolved over time into its modern context with the IRC. By acquiring Canada’s only reindeer herd in 2021 and spearheading initiatives like the Country Food Processing Plant in Inuvik, the IRC is integrating traditional herding practices within a corporate framework to ensure sustainable development, food security, and local job creation, while also highlighting the importance of economic development in Indigenous self-determination. This article provides insight into how the IRC’s management of the reindeer herd represents an innovative model of Indigenous economic empowerment, blending culture with strategic economic initiatives to address contemporary challenges. The article contributes to the broader discourse on Indigenous governance, economic sustainability, and the pivotal role of traditional knowledge in shaping future pathways for Indigenous communities in the Arctic and beyond.

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This research examines how postsecondary economic development curricula can align with the needs of Indigenous communities in Canada. Drawing on Indigenous research principles and mixed methods design, the study combines a literature review with semi-structured interviews (n=17) and an online survey (n=43) of Indigenous economic development practitioners and prospective students. Key curriculum priorities include leadership, governance, financial literacy, cultural competency, Indigenous knowledge systems, entrepreneurship and business skills, and legal and regulatory frameworks. Participants emphasized the central role of Indigenous economic development corporations; the importance of meaningful employment and revenue generation for community well-being; and the need to embed Elders, Indigenous instructors, and Indigenous knowledge. The findings support flexible program structures that allow students to maintain employment while participating in online learning with short in-person residency components. Overall, the study provides early guidance for designing culturally grounded economic development education that supports Indigenous self-determination, builds local capacity, and contributes to sustainable economies.

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The overall employment picture for the Indigenous population living off-reserve was worse in 2024 than in 2023, and it was also worse in 2023 compared to 2022. They were also worse for non-Indigenous people in 2024, compared to 2023. Unemployment rates were higher, and employment and participation rates were lower. Employment, unemployment, and participation rates have been more favourable for the non-Indigenous population than for the Indigenous population. This has been the case in every year, except one, since 2007, which is the earliest that the data has been available. However, the educational level achieved is a critical factor. When educational levels are higher, unemployment rates are lower, and employment and participation rates are higher. Further, the participation rates for the Indigenous population were higher for each comparable education level than for the non-Indigenous population from 2007 through 2024, except for four years.

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This article explores self-employment trends among Indigenous Peoples in Canada between 2001 and 2021, focusing on 2016 onward. Using disaggregated data (i.e., data separated by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit identity) from Statistics Canada’s Census of Population, it examines changes in both self-employment rates and absolute numbers, revealing distinct patterns across Indigenous groups. The analysis finds that while Métis individuals consistently report the highest self-employment rates, First Nations, despite notable growth, continue to face structural barriers, particularly those imposed by the Indian Act. Inuit remain significantly underrepresented in self-employment. The article also draws attention to the underutilization of external business assistance: in 2017, 88% of self-employed First Nations, 72% of self-employed Inuit, and 91% of self-employed Métis reported receiving no outside support. These findings underscore the importance of disaggregated data and call for targeted funding models that reflect the diverse conditions shaping Indigenous self-employment in Canada.