Northern Manitoba’s grand chief wants the federal and provincial governments to change their approach to First Nations in the region so their economies may flourish.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson outlined that goal in a
new 10-point economic
action plan.
“It is a myth that there are no economic opportunities in our nations,” North Wilson said in a press release. “But we do need to create the conditions to create and grow successful ventures. I’m confident our people will step up. We are ready.”
The plan includes six recommendations aimed at the feds and four at the province. North Wilson says implementing the suggestions would improve the lives of people in the 30 northern Manitoba First Nations MKO represents.
The six points involving the federal government touch upon jobs, food, energy and home construction.
MKO wants Ottawa to conduct an inventory of existing jobs within MKO communities and identify how many are filled by non-First Nations people, with a focus on the airline industry, justice, health care, education, administration and social services.
Once the inventory is complete, a process MKO feels can be accomplished within six months to a year, the First Nations and federal government can work together on a community-based training strategy to help members of the First Nations receive the training and education necessary to fill those jobs.
The plan also calls upon Ottawa to subsidize locally grown or raised healthy food that is ineligible for Nutrition North subsidies, and to work with social enterprises to increase their capacity for producing healthy food.
Another point suggests that since most MKO First Nations have no garbage pickup, recycling or hazardous-waste disposal, a program that exchanges healthy food for electronics, recycling and garbage can kill two birds with one stone.
MKO also wants the federal government to work with its First Nations to get derelict cars shipped south and recycled.
Other points addressed to Ottawa include helping First Nations set up heating utilities that take advantage of biomass and geothermal heat generation methods, and making new and existing homes on First Nations more energy-efficient, which costs money up front but saves occupants money down the road.
“Produce grown in our communities receives no incentives while outside retailers are supported, social assistance won’t pay low utility bills in energy-efficient homes but will pay high bills that create no local jobs, and it’s illegal in Manitoba for First Nations to sell electricity, even to ourselves,” said North Wilson. “We’re asking for a nation-to-nation relationship so our people can succeed.”
