NAFC New Federal Framework on Aboriginal Economic Development

National Aboriginal Youth Engagement Session
March 2, 2009
Ottawa, ON

Executive Summary

In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada committed to developing a new federal framework for Aboriginal economic development. A new federal framework would provide long-term strategic direction for actions in support of Aboriginal economic development. The Government also committed to work with Aboriginal peoples and other stakeholders in the development of this new framework.Without a doubt, youth input is critical to the New Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development in order to start a basis for sustainability including Canada’s largest Aboriginal population – our youth. Economic development pportunities and awareness are crucial for Aboriginal people to fully succeed in Canadian society. As such, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) was engaged to hold a national Aboriginal youth engagement session.

The national session, held on March 2nd, 2009, provided an opportunity to engage Aboriginal youth in discussing their suggestions for a new federal framework for Aboriginal economic development. Through facilitated discussions, Aboriginal youth discussed promising practices in economic development and related programming; highlighted success stories in economic development, and shared programming and business development knowledge. The session ultimately resulted in five youth-identified recommendations:

1. Specific education, training and mentorship opportunities for Aboriginal youth;
2. Increased Government investment in First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultural awareness strategies;
3. Improved support for youth to start, maintain and sustain businesses;
4. Greater commitment to involve youth in the design and ongoing implementation of economic development policy, and;
5. Ensure and facilitate ongoing interaction with youth in the development of the Framework.

The NAFC is hopeful that the outcomes of these discussions will play an integral role in the development of the New Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development to ensure that Aboriginal emerging leaders have the same opportunity as the rest of Canadians to fully participate in, and contribute to, Canadian economy.

In Friendship,

Peter Dinsdale
Executive Director
National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)

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