First Nations Social Economy Working Committee

The Culture, The People, The Land, The Social Economy

______________________________________

 

First Nations Social Economy Working Committee

Purpose

 

To ensure that the First Nations non-profit sector, Bands and communities

realize some positive benefits and results from the Federal Government’s

Social Economy Initiative within the Province of BC.

 

 

1)      Introduction

 

The social economy is an entrepreneurial, not for profit sector that seeks to enhance the social, economic and environmental conditions of communities.   Social economy enterprises are a component of the social economy that are run like businesses, producing goods and services for the market economy, but manage their operations and redirect their surpluses in pursuit of social and environmental goals.

– Government of Canada Working Definition of the Social Economy

 

2)      Federal Government’s Social Economy Initiative

 

The federal government announced funding support for the social economy in Budget 2004.   Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) was assigned responsibility in Western Canada for implementing the capacity building and financing elements of the federal government’s investment in the social economy.    These terms of reference relate to the capacity building element.

WD collaborates with Western Canadians to strengthen our capacity for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.  The development of the social economy has the potential to contribute significantly to each of these interrelated goals, and so fits well with WD’s mandate.

For your convenience, the following websites can be reviewed for more information on the social economy initiative:   http://www.wd.gc.ca/ced/se/default_e.asp  and http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/cs/comm/sd/social_economy.shtml

 

3)      Definition – First Nations

 

First Nations includes all first nations, status or non-status or Métis and whether you live on or off a reserve.

 

4)      Purpose of the questionnaire

 

·        To conduct an analysis of what is needed by First Nations to capitalize on the benefits of the Federal Government’s Social Economy Initiative.

•    To identify the size and scope of First Nations social enterprises in BC

·        To obtain a snapshot of the First Nations social economy organizations and enterprises in BC with a goal of forming a virtual network to maintain communications about the social economy movement.

·        To create and promote communication links with First Nations social enterprises in BC.

·        To establish a list of social enterprises in BC with names, address & other contact information.

 

5)      Why is it important to respond to the questionnaire?

 

Most businesses/organizations are selected to represent the same sector, with similar revenue and number of employees. Businesses/organizations are also selected because we value their positive relationship with the First Nations and non-First Nations community.  Your answers are very important to calculate a complete and accurate statistics.

 

6)      How will the results be used?

 

Generic results for the questionnaire should be released to Western Economic Diversification and participants no later than April 15, 2006.

 

Businesses, Trade Associations, Bands, and Aboriginal Organizations use business statistics for a variety of purposes. Business/organization statistics can be used for:

·         Monitoring and forecasting economic changes in communities

·         Structural analysis of fundamental changes to the social economy

·         Variety of employment opportunity for our community members

·         Forecasting demand for new employees, contractors, self-employment, and other opportunities

·         Comparing numbers and occupations of First Nations working in main- stream society compared to those working on reserve (percentage per capita to internal/external) and vice versa

·         Preparing  Capacity Building Initiatives (educational and training plans) for  social enterprises in each of their geographic areas

·         Establishing skilled workers’ needs in the social economy sector.

·         Establishing what service/programs are needed for people with disabilities

 

7)      How will this questionnaire benefit my community?

 

First Nations communities have a large impact on the economy within their region.  They are a major source of employment and they contribute a large portion of their revenue to purchase goods or services within their community.

 

By completing the questionnaire your business/organization will know how much of an impact you have within your community compared to the non-First Nations businesses/organizations.

 

In addition, your business/organization can use this information to make decisions about labour and fiscal policies, business assistance programs for their community, human resource development planning and partnerships with businesses in their area.

 

8)      Due date for response

 

            March 10, 2006

 

9)      Contacts        

 

Should you have any questions you can contact Marie Baptiste, FN Social Economy Secretary in Kamloops – by phone at (250) 828-9844; by fax at (250) 828-9972 and by e-mail:  marie@cfdcofcifn@.com 

 

or the First Nations Social Economy Working Committee Members:

 

Desiree Baker                                 Peter Lantin

Helder Ponte                                   Roxanne Wolfhead

Ted Williams                                   Veronica Creyke

Ida Mills                                         Victor Tom      

Janet Webster                                 Harold Aljam

Chris Robertson                              Ernie Michell

Delphine Terbasket

 

FNSEWC – Staff Support

                                          

Geri Collins                         Marie Baptiste

  • Contact Us