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ISSUE 99
Joella Hogan Cultural Entrepreneur and Owner of 2019 Indigenous Business of the Year
Indigenomics
Economics with an Indigenous Perspective
Freedom Road A Story of Community, Strength and Perseverance
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ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
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SINCE 2002
CONTENTS
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Cover Story: The Yukon Soaps Company Honours Indigenous Culture and Builds Community
ISSUE 99
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SAY MAGAZINE Volume 18, Issue 6 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as Health and Fitness, Back2School, Economic Development and Education Guide issues. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7 E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine. ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2018 by SAY Magazine GST: 856627534RT0001
Editor-in-Chief Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com
Carol Anne Hilton, Founder of The Indigenomics Institute, Challenges Perspective
the Circumpolar 24 New Budget Promises 8 Voyaging World Change
11 Breakfast and Our Brains 18 Music
Wellness Impacts 26 Financial Productivity
General Manager Sarah Ritchie Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design Ad Sales/Subscriptions Megan Henry subscriptions@saymag.com Printed in Canada Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com
Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries, etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine www.twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.instagram.com/say_magazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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Freedom Road Documents History and Future of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation
22
Meet Wayne GarnonsWilliams, Champion of Inherent Indigenous Economic Rights ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT | 3
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
“‘Economic empowerment’ can be defined as the development of the ability of the historically disadvantaged to engage in economic activity that benefits both the individuals in question and the broader society.”
O
- Walter Fischer, Certified Educator (enotes.com)
ver the years, SAY has shared incredible stories of Indigenous economic development, and while the word “development” signifies growth, we wanted to take it one step further and focus on another key component to the success of our communities—empowerment. So what does it mean to feel empowered? A recognized definition of empowerment is having the knowledge, confidence, means or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself, or, in this case, for one’s community, region or country. When people feel empowered, it is likely they believe in and contribute to something greater than themselves. When empowered people empower others, they invest in the goodness of people, uplifting them and encouraging their strengths—and the results are often positive and extraordinary.
future. You can read more about Hilton and the Indigenomics movement on page 16. There’s something for everyone in this issue, including the story of an Arctic Youth Expedition (including stunning photos) that inspires youth to effect positive change and the premiere of documentary film series Freedom Road, the story of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. If you live in northern Canada, you may have heard of The Yukon Soaps Company—a successful small business inspired by the Yukon and based on the strong cultural values of Joella Hogan. Flip to page 12 to read this inspiring cover story. There are many incredible Indigenous leaders around the globe working tirelessly to change the landscape of doing business today and in the future. People like Hilton, Hogan and Wayne Garnons-Williams (featured on page 22), who founded an important non-profit called the International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO) and who was recently recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
In this issue of SAY, we celebrate the rise of Indigenous business in Canada and the United States, and those that contribute to Indigenous economic empowerment across North America. As Carol Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder of The Indigenomics Institute, so wisely explained, “It’s a time of demonstrating leadership,” to build from uncomfortable situations and take responsibility for our
In keeping with SAY’s message of hope and resilience, we hope these stories inspire and empower you to empower someone else. Danielle Vienneau, Editor-in-Chief Next Issue: Global Indigeneity
Issue Name
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Publication Dates
Winter 2020
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Global Indigeneity
Nov. 29, 2019
Dec. 6, 2019
Dec. 30, 2019
Education Guide 2020
101
Education
Jan. 10, 2020
Jan. 17, 2020
Feb. 14, 2020
Spring 2020
102
Leadership
Feb. 14, 2020
Feb. 28, 2020
Mar. 23, 2020
Career Development
103
Building a Skilled Indigenous Mar. 27, 2020 Workforce
Apr. 10, 2020
May 4, 2020
Summer 2020
104
Summer Solstice
May 1, 2020
May 15, 2020
June 8, 2020
Back2School 2020
105
Back to School
June 5, 2020
June 30, 2020
Aug. 17, 2020
Fall 2020
106
Business
Sept. 14, 2020 Sept. 28, 2020
Oct. 19, 2020
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2019/20 NOV 1-30
Native American Heritage Month USA
JAN 27-29
Cannexus20 National Career Development Conference by CERIC Shaw Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada www.cannexus.ca
JAN 28-30
17th Annual BC Natural Resource Forum Prince George Conference and Civic Centre Prince George, British Columbia, Canada www.bcnaturalresourcesforum.com
FEB 11-13
3rd Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference Native Learning Center Hollywood, Florida, USA
FEB 27-29
Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference 2020 Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada www.yfncc.ca/aiic2020
MAR 24-27
Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) San Diego Convention Center San Diego, California, USA www.indiangamingtradeshow.com
APR 23-25
Gathering of Nations Pow Wow & Miss Indian World Pageant Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA www.gatheringofnations.com
MAY 12-14
24th Annual Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.vqconference.com
MAY 28-31
Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto Harbourfront Centre Theatre Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.ifwtoronto.com
JUN 7-9
MAR 6
2020 Aboriginal Circle of Educators (ACE) Conference Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
7th International Indigenous Trade Mission & Conference University of Oklahoma College of Law Norman, Oklahoma, USA www.iitio.org/2020-attendee-registration-form
MAR 6
JUN 19-20
2020 Indspire Awards Ottawa, Ontario, Canada www.indspire.ca/events/indspire-awards
1st Annual International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.indigenoushiphopawards.com
MAR 15-21
2020 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada www.arcticwintergames.org
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Freedom Road A Story of Community, Strength and Perseverance By S. Ritchie
On November 5th, residents of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and members of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation gathered at the Winnipeg Art Gallery to witness the world premiere of Freedom Road. A National Film Board of Canada production, this five-part documentary film series follows the twoyear construction of a 25-km stretch (called “Freedom Road”) connecting Shoal Lake 40 Anishinaabe First Nation, which sits on the Manitoba-Ontario border, to the Ontario mainland and the Trans-Canada Highway. A Century of Isolation
In 1915, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation was forcibly relocated from their traditional territory so that Winnipeg could build an aqueduct to feed Shoal Lake water to the city. The work also required the construction of a dike and canal that effectively split the Shoal Lake 40 reserve into three parts and relocated much of the community, separating them from the mainland by an expanse of water.
Photo Credit: Film Stills - National Film Board of Canada/Tyler Funk DOP
The community’s isolation was made even more arduous in 1997 when cryptosporidium was found in Shoal Lake 40’s drinking water, putting the community under a boil-water advisory. The lack of road access made it virtually impossible to build
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and maintain a water treatment plant, so the advisory has yet to be lifted. Prior to the completion of Freedom Road this year, community members had to travel across the lake, either on an aging barge, the Amik II, or over an ice road throughout the winter months. During spring break-up and fall freeze-up, many made treacherous and often dangerous trips on thin ice. Everyone in the community has a harrowing story of a loved one falling through the ice while trying to cross the lake, many of which are shared throughout the film series. Perhaps the most terrifying are the ones told in the WOMEN/IKWEWAG film—stories of pregnant women and new
National Film Board of Canada - Designed by Steve Chow
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
mothers fearing for their babies but having no choice but to make the trek.
Telling Their Story
Freedom Road was an eight-year effort between Shoal Lake 40, the Federal, Provincial and Winnipeg governments, close to 20 First Nations and the International Joint Commission; however, the fight began decades before. “It’s a hundred-year-old story that we’ve been fighting for,” said Chief Erwin Redsky to APTN. The film series commences at the tail end of the eight-year battle, filmed over two years as the road was being built. The series was written and directed by Angelina McLeod, a Winnipeg-based scholar and activist who comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. Using a community-driven approach, she tells the story through the eyes of her people, sharing the community’s dignity, strength and perseverance. Viewers are first drawn in to the series with a bird’s eye view of the land, sweeping over the gorgeous lakes and forested region. The beautiful scenery is quickly interrupted by Daryl Redsky’s narrative, offering an entirely different way of seeing the waters. The documentary proceeds to detail the multi-generational effort to build a road
Photo Credit: Film Stills - National Film Board of Canada/Tyler Funk DOP
that would reconnect Shoal Lake 40 First Nation to the rest of the world. “[The films] are meant to mirror the governance structure that the community operates from,” explained Alicia Smith, the film’s producer. Following the first contextualizing film, stories are shared by men (ininiwag), women (ikwewag), youth (oshkaadizigg) and elders (gitchi-aya’ aag).
Hope for the Future
Freedom Road is just the beginning of the economic change and growth that is now possible for Shoal Lake 40 First Nation because of mainland access. After being under a boil water advisory for more
than two decades, a water treatment plant is finally being built and is expected to be completed by December 2020. “We have some major projects coming up, a lot of them,” said Roxanne Green, the community’s economic development officer, “and we just have to keep fighting for maximizing all the benefits where we can for the community, making sure that we’re heard at the negotiation table. Those are the next steps.” The films are available to watch on NFB.ca. Community screenings can be arranged by contacting info@nfb.ca.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Voyaging the Circumpolar World Students on Ice 2019 Arctic Youth Expedition Inspires Students to Enact Change
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By S. Ritchie cebergs tower above the MS Ocean Endeavour as it cuts through the Davis Strait. The cracking of massive ice formations resounds as ocean currents push the ship forward. Seabirds soar overhead, their cries echoing sharply through the sky. The travellers aboard gasp as the fin of a humpback whale breaks through the crystalline surface of the dark blue Arctic waters. The Arctic Ocean and its coastlines are home to more than four million Indigenous peoples and their communities, and hundreds of species of marine mammals and fish. Over the decades, this region has become one of the world’s largest economic
sectors for mining, oil and gas, and fishing. As global commercialization encroaches and the ice caps recede, it has never been more important to protect this ecosystem
“Experiencing SOI reinforces the participants’ connections to their culture and their responsibilities to Mother Earth. It sparks creativity and passion, generates new ideas and truly elevates our youth to another level of being.”
Photo credit: Natta Summerky/SOI Foundation
- Shannon Monk, CEO of Sakatay Global
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and ensure future development produces a healthy, biodiverse Arctic that benefits all life in the region. This is what the Students on Ice (SOI) Arctic Youth Expedition strives to achieve, offering youth a real-life look at the region so that they may become aware of, and engage in, the present and future opportunities and challenges facing the circumpolar world. Bringing together 130 students from 20 nations (including all the circumpolar countries), along with 94 educators and staff, SOI departed from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on July 25th, flying to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, to begin its expedition. From there the group voyaged to Nunavut, the most northerly territory of Canada, exploring the communities, coasts, fjords, bays and islands of the Canadian Arctic
CLIMATE CHANGE
“The Arctic Youth Expedition has opened my eyes and shown me the world through a completely new lens that will always stay on,” said Ella Stevens, a recent SOI participant and member of Acadia First Nation. “I have always seen the small effects of climate change, but being in the Arctic and having to wear shorts in Greenland was shocking, scary and alarming. It has made me want to do so much more for my community.” Out of the 130 youth, 67 were Indigenous, coming from Inuit, First Nation, Métis and Sámi (from Sweden and Finland) communities. Prior to the start of SOI, many of them participated in a pre-program called “Saavittut”, which means ‘taking off/setting off from the shore’ in Inuktitut. This program provided northern youth with the opportunity to gain confidence and bond with each other before joining the other expedition participants.
An international team of experts joined the students. Throughout the two weeks, scientists, artists, innovators, educators, explorers, historians, writers, elders and polar experts inspired and challenged the youth, bringing the history, culture and current state of this majestic region and its people to life. Through a variety of activities, workshops and explorations, students were able to connect to the natural world, develop an understanding and respect for the planet and explore solutions to some of the most pressing challenges our climate faces today. The students were exposed to a number of cultural experiences, like Greenlandic drum and mask dances performed by Vivi Sorensen and Indigenous foods of the area, such as Greenlandic cod, seaweed and Arctic char. The students had the opportunity to join Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and PJ Akeeagok, President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, in Arctic Bay for the official announcement proclaiming Tallurutiup Imanga as Canada’s largest Marine Protected Area.
Photo credit: Martin Lipman/SOI Foundation
along the way. Through their travels, they focused on important topics and issues, such as climate change, ocean literacy and conservation, and the Blue Economy.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Photo credit: Martin Lipman/SOI Foundation Photo credit: Natta Summerky/SOI Foundation
“Youth who participate in the Students on Ice expeditions come home transformed,” said Shannon Monk, CEO of Sakatay Global. “This year we had nine Mi’kmaq youth travel with SOI 2019, and when they returned home, each of them spoke passionately about this life-changing experience. It’s clear that it has inspired them to learn more, travel more and do more—for themselves and for their communities. The journey doesn’t end when the students return home; rather, it has only just begun. All participants in the program join an active community of more than 3,000 students and staff from more than 54 countries, which continues to offer opportunities for mentorship, education and networking. “The SOI Alumni Network has done a great job with staying in touch with us and keeping us on our toes with
advocating climate change,” said Neylan Stevens, a recent participant and member of Eskasoni First Nation. “I hope by [sharing] my experience with SOI, I can help create change in the world and motivate others to do so too.” The alumni community supports youth in their growth as global citizens by offering a number of scholarships and research grants, and connecting them to influencers and decision makers throughout the world. The SOI’s 20th anniversary expedition will take place July 5 to July 20, 2020. The Students on Ice Foundation educates the world’s youth about the importance of the Polar Regions, supports them in their continued personal and professional growth, and inspires and catalyzes initiatives that contribute to global sustainability.
Photo credit: Martin Lipman/SOI Foundation
Photo credit: Martin Lipman/SOI Foundation
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Photo credit: Natta Summerky/SOI Foundation
SHORT TAKE
Food for Thought:
Breakfast and Our Brains By S. Ritchie If we’re going to be successful in life and in building our careers, then we also need to ensure we are incorporating healthy practices into our everyday lives. Consider nutrition: what are we putting into our body and when? There’s been much debate over the years to the age-old question: Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? Whether this adage is true or not, one thing is for sure—eating breakfast is crucial to a productive day and an overall healthy lifestyle.
taining high levels of glucose and fat (the healthy kind that helps our bodies absorb certain key nutrients) is critical for long-lasting energy, motivation, concentration, memory and physical ability.
Breakfast, meaning “breaking our fast”, replenishes our supplies of glucose that have been lost overnight. Glucose, essentially sugar from carbohydrates, is what fuels us, energizing our bodies and powering our minds. Research shows that while the brain represents a mere 2% of a person’s body weight, it accounts for 20% of the body’s energy use, so if we don’t feed our brains, it will have consequences. That’s why main-
And what we eat does make a difference. Foods with refined sugars (like white bread or sweetened juices) cause blood sugars to spike, dropping quickly and ultimately resulting in low energy levels, while
a morning meal filled with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals improves brain function and promotes productivity. Instead, opt for products with complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal and whole grains, which take the body longer to break down, providing a steady supply of glucose. Protein is also essential, contributing to processes like building muscle and regulating immune function. So, post-wake-up, enjoy some high-fiber cereal, fresh fruit, whole grain toast, peanut butter or eggs. This type of breakfast replenishes glucose levels and jumpstarts the intake of essential vitamins and minerals. There’s a myriad of nutrients our bodies need each day, and one good meal isn’t enough. That’s why it’s important to carry a healthy diet throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner. When it comes to good living, every meal is the most important meal of the day.
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COVER STORY
Reconnects People to the Land
W By D. Vienneau
inner of the 2019 Indigenous Business of the Year in the Yukon, The Yukon Soaps Company offers its customers soap bars that honour Indigenous knowledge, are made with plants from the boreal forest and support community. A household staple, these Indigenous artisanal soaps are handcrafted by owner Joella Hogan in her home community of Mayo, Yukon, Canada. A member of the First Nation of NaCho Nyäk Dun in Mayo and of the Crow Clan, Hogan is passionate about preserving her Northern Tutchone heritage and culture and holds a deep respect for the land. Drawing inspiration from the Yukon landscape and her travels, Hogan creates products that are environmentally responsible and representative of her culture. With a background in environmental science and community planning, Hogan spent 15 years working for her first
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nation as Manager of Heritage and Culture, but just last year she chose to make a change, refocusing her efforts on her health, family and small business. The Yukon Soaps Company was recently featured by HuffPost US as one of “14 Native-Owned Beauty and Skin Care Brands to Fall in Love With”, an article that highlighted various innovative businesses owned by Indigenous women in Canada and the United States. What Joella Hogan once thought would be a “fun side business” has grown to be so much more. SAY had the pleasure of interviewing this inspiring business woman about life as an entrepreneur and what it means to contribute to a growing Indigenous economy. SAY: Tell us a little more about how you ended up in Mayo, Yukon. Hogan: I was born and raised in Whitehorse and left the Yukon as a young adult to go to university in British Columbia. I have had the opportunity to work, live and travel all over the world, but I always knew that I would move back to northern Canada. In 2003 I moved back to the Yukon and decided I wanted to live in a smaller community where I had familial roots. When a job opportunity came up with my first nation in the community of Mayo—the community where my grandmother is from—I couldn’t pass it up. I immersed myself in the culture, started to learn the language and learned more about another side of the Yukon that I really didn’t know about.
Photo credit: Alistair Maitland Photography
COVER STORY
SAY: How did you decide to get into the soap-making business? Hogan: I come from a family of entrepreneurs and never thought I would actually own a business, but as I got older, I really felt the need to build on my passions as an entrepreneur. I wasn’t sure what kind of business at the time, but when the opportunity to purchase an existing soap company in another Yukon community presented itself, everything aligned. I bought the business in 2012, and it’s been evolving ever since. SAY: Had you ever made soap before? Hogan: I had never made soap before, but I had used the products and loved them. I was always interested in essential oils and natural body care products. I was also very interested in traditional medicines, the power of plants and traditional teachings. I knew there was a way to connect all of these to enhance an already great product. I learned how to make soap and kept the basic recipes because those were household staples for a long time. Slowly, I started to change the packaging to be reusable—using less plastic—and I changed the name of the business—all to connect more with my culture and values. SAY: What are some of the challenges that come from owning a small business? Hogan: One of the biggest challenges of owning a business in a small northern community, especially a manufacturing and production type business, is the cost of shipping. I ship products all over the world, and, unfortunately, I don’t have multiple shipping options.
This does help somewhat with the overall cost of shipping, but it also means I have a zero waste line. Many people are trying to lessen their environmental footprint, so people really like that option. SAY: What type of marketing do you do? Hogan: The majority of my business is generated by word of mouth. I don’t do much direct marketing outside of the Yukon because I’m a small shop. My main customers are Yukoners and those that love the Yukon. Many of the products are sold in stores and gift shops around the Yukon, but one of my biggest clients is a shop at the museum at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. I’m also really lucky to have such wonderful support from my community, family and friends. SAY: What makes your business unique and successful? Hogan: A lot of it has to do with the power of storytelling and sharing my journey.
One of the things I incorporated, in response to customer values, is offering bulk purchasing options without labels. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT | 13
COVER STORY
People want so much more than a bar of soap. They want connection to the maker, the land and the values. It has taken me some time to have the confidence to speak and to share. Nowadays, I’m fairly transparent about the things I’m doing in my life, and I think a lot of people can relate to me on a personal level. My customers know that the products come from a good place, are made with good intentions and are based on strong cultural values. I also incorporate my language—the Northern Tutchone language. One of my
personal goals living in Mayo was to learn the language because I didn’t grow up with it. It is incredibly difficult to learn, so I decided to learn the language through soap making. I started learning the words for soap and made language cards to pair with the products. I recently designed new language cards that have an inspirational message on one side and then the words (in English and Northern Tutchone) for tools that my ancestors used, and continue to use, on the other side. It’s a way to help others connect with me, my community and my culture. SAY: What does celebrating cultural entrepreneurship mean to you? Hogan: For me, it’s about a value-based business. It’s not just measuring success based on finances. Obviously, I need my business to make money, but it’s also about employing people in my community, promoting culture through family and connecting to the land. I wouldn’t want to have a business that didn’t support my cultural values. SAY: What is your hope for the future of your business? Hogan: I hope to scale up the business (out of my house) so that I can hire people in the community. Our region has a long history of mining, but that industry is not for everyone.
I would like to see other opportunities in the community for people to find employment, and I hope that my soap business can contribute to that and, more widely, to the local economy. SAY: What is life like outside of The Yukon Soaps Company? Hogan: I have a whole other career that I enjoy doing, some of which is consulting work for other organizations. All of the work I do is about connecting people with the land, culture and language. One recent project was a partnership with the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse and the Whitehorse Public Library, where I facilitated an Indigenous book club gathering. I am also involved in tourism initiatives for our region with the First Nation Development Corporation, and I continue to work for the first nation on a project to build a cultural centre in our area. SAY: What advice do you have for people interested in starting a business? Hogan: If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, find your support group; find peers, mentors and other leaders, because you will need others to bounce ideas off of. Stay true to your values, and stay true to who you are.
Photo credit: Sarah Deragon 14 | ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Throughout the interview we could hear Hogan’s passion for the environment, her community and her culture—all of which is evident in the way she runs her business. For more information visit www.yukonsoaps.com.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Photo Credit: Mike Sudoma Photography
INDIGENOMICS Supporting Growth of the Indigenous Economy
W By D. Vienneau
ith the success of Indigenous business expected to grow exponentially over the next decade, economics from an Indigenous worldview is needed to highlight the impact of Indigenous business on the Canadian economy. What once began as a hashtag has evolved into a major movement. So what is Indigenomics? On October 30, at a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event focused entirely on Indigenous economic development, keynote speaker Carol Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder of The Indigenomics Institute, explained Indigenomics as a “platform for modern Indigenous economic design”. She further described the movement as “the collective economic response to the lasting legacy of the systemic exclusion of Indigenous peoples in the development of this country”. In a conversation with Jessica Dumas—the chamber’s new chairwoman and the only First Nations person to hold the position in
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the last century—Hilton was asked where the hashtag #Indigenomics had come from. Hilton admitted that she avoided social media but heard about the benefits of using Twitter to start a conversation. “My area of interest was Indigenous business, the economy and the success of our people,” said Hilton. “I remember the first couple of tweets under #Indigenomics was a conversation about how we pay attention to the content we are seeing. It became a thread of content that demonstrated a common narrative of the growth of Indigenous business success.” In the early days, Hilton never saw the establishment of the Indigenomics hashtag turning into an entire movement. A recognized First Nation business leader and Indigenous policy expert, Hilton has a Master’s degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England. She is of Nuu-chah-nulth descent from the Hesquiaht First Nation on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Hilton was recently appointed as a senior advisor to the Canadian Federal Economic
Growth Council and joined the BC Economic Task Force advising the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology. She has also written a book titled Indigenomics, which will be released in January 2020. Why Indigenomics? As she addressed the large group at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg this fall, Hilton explained why there is a pressing need for Indigenomics: g “Because the Indigenous economy is growing rapidly; g Because new thinking is required today to evolve the state of the Indigenous relationship; g Because it is through new language that we will get there; g Because an Indigenous world view is required in our future (not just our past); g Because 76% of Indigenous children live in poverty in some areas of Canada.” She pointed out that the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in media is often negative, depicted as a burden on the economic fiscal system. And when it comes to major economic development projects, an Indigenous worldview is not represented.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
As a collective we must address the legacy of systemic exclusion. To do this, Hilton explained that we must build from an uncomfortable space. “We must understand that the first 150-plus years of this country was developed and established on the systems of economic exclusion of Indigenous people,” she said. “The next 150 years is about the economic inclusion of Indigenous people.” Hilton pointed out the number of Indigenous businesses is growing at five times the rate of Canadian businesses and that it is time to see Indigenous peoples as economic power houses. She suggested that Indigenous economy cannot exist as a program or service of government; rather, it’s something to which we should all pay attention. It must be nurtured, invested in and “looked at as a system of actual design”. What does economic success look like? Hilton is focused on answering what she described as the “power question”: How can we collectively grow the Indigenous economy from $32 billion (2016 value) to $100 billion by 2024? It comes down to leadership and Indigenous economic inclusion. “Being able to establish a $100 billion Indigenous economy is possible and integral to the success of the future of this country,” said Hilton. “Shifting away from ‘this has happened to us’ and
using ‘designed by us’ will facilitate the concept of economic presence and the growing influence we have as Indigenous people.” To support the growth of the Indigenous economy, Hilton created the Economic Mix—a group of 12 other Indigenous leaders who focus on opportunities and places of leadership. She pressed the importance of addressing several areas of growth and trends towards economic empowerment and success, some of which are: leadership in Indigenous equity; infrastructure; the rise of Indigenous entrepreneurship; the role of capital and how it is central to the success of Indigenous economy; the growth of Indigenous clean energy; the role of social enterprise in the emerging Indigenous economy; and the role of technology in the growing Indigenous economy. The intention of Indigenomics is to be able to establish an invitation for leadership, insight into economic inclusion and an ability to look at and demonstrate the ‘calls to action’ of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As Hilton’s keynote came to a close, she left the audience with one question, “Who wants to play Indigenomics?” Learn more about Carol Anne Hilton and the Indigenomics movement by visiting www.indigenomicsinstitute.com.
Jessica Dumas: What does this movement mean to you personally? Carol Anne Hilton: I was raised in care. I was raised as the statistic—an Indigenous child in the system. When I came home to my community, I was about 16 years old. What I saw and what I continue to see is economic displacement— historical economic displacement that’s happened for 200 years to our people. My personal response to this is Indigenomics. To build from a positive place, combining leadership and taking responsibility for what I see in front of me. I live from a place of trauma, trauma that happened to my grandparents, mother, my siblings. My disciplined response is I choose to see beautiful and that is the place I choose to build from. Understanding trauma happened to us, trauma happened within our family. The place I build from? Indigenomics is the response.
Photo Credit: Mike Sudoma Photography
“It’s a powerful time that we live in. It’s powerful because it’s a time of demonstrating leadership. It’s about being able to define our purpose and refine it and establish how that purpose looks in action.” - Carol Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder of Indigenomics
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MUSIC
Leela Gilday Award-winning Yellowknife artist Leela Gilday released North Star Calling on September 6. This is her first album in five years and features brand new single “Falling Stars” and previously released singles “Keintah Naste Ju” (pronounced Kaytah Naht-say Joo) and “Hard Ground”.
Produced by Hill Kourkoutis, North Star Calling is about facing fears, standing in the pain, and living with courage, boldness and joy. Gilday has created a stunning record that touches on her connection with the land, empowerment of the people, and the beauty and draw of the north. She also touches on deeply sensitive topics, such as the alarming suicide rates of her people, racism, suffering, the beauty of life, and, for the first time ever, she sings of true healing.
“True healing is not just about the absence of pain or addictions, although those are significant—it is about celebration, it is complicated, it is about weaving the fabric of the years of your own life into a beautiful blanket to hold you and ground you. It is about letting go of expectation and opening new eyes to the world around you.” – Leela Gilday
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Born and raised in the Northwest Territories (Canada), Gilday writes about the people and the land that created her. The power in her voice conveys her deep feelings of love and connection to life in a rugged environment and vibrant culture. Gilday’s family is from Délįne, on the shores of Great Bear Lake. Her rich vocals dance across the rhythmic beats of traditional Dene drumming, as smoothly as a bass line on stage at the largest venues in the country. Over her 20-year career, Gilday has toured every province and territory in Canada with her four-piece band, playing numerous festivals and concert halls. She has also performed in the United States, Greenland, Denmark and New Zealand, and, most recently, embarked on an ambitious European tour.
Gilday believes music has an inexplicable effect on people. The stage is where she can share light and darkness with clarity and genuine purpose. Not only is Gilday a gifted storyteller but she also practices yoga and loves to cook. She is profoundly interested in community wellness and addressing disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes.
MUSIC
Gabby Taylor
After more than a decade, Manitoba’s Gabby Taylor is back on the Canadian music scene with a new album. In 2007, Taylor’s album Where I Feel Alive garnered two number one hits: “Cool Me Down” and “You’re the One”. “Cool Me Down” was also named NCI FM’s Single of the Year in 2008. Taylor believes creating music brings about personal healing. His latest work touches on life’s trials and tribulations, love and heartache, and has brought him personal focus and revitalization. He says, through his passion and integrity, he hopes to reach his audience in a good way. Earlier this year, Taylor headed back to the studio to record. As a more mature artist, this time around he wants to convey a wider array of emotions to listeners. With the continued support of followers, family and friends, he is inspired
to continue to write songs, sing, record and perform. The youngest of seven siblings, Taylor was born in Norway House, Manitoba, Canada. He now resides in St. Theresa Point-Island Lake, a small remote community in northern Manitoba. When he’s not making music, he keeps busy, enjoying leisure activities like fishing, boating, woodworking, snowmobiling and spending time with family and friends. Fans can look forward to the official release of Taylor’s new album before the end of the year. Right now, you can hear the title track “Got the Best of Me” playing on Indigenous radio stations all over the globe.
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MUSIC
Eagle & Hawk Eagle & Hawk has been lauded as one of the most-celebrated and longest-standing Indigenous music acts in Canada. This progressive roots-rock band has been bringing energizing, interactive and experiential performances to audiences across North America and Europe for nearly 25 years. Founded in 1995 by Winnipeg-based Vince Fontaine and former CFL star Troy Westwood in 1995, Eagle & Hawk released their first album The Dream in ’97. Shortly after, Jay Bodner joined as lead singer, replacing Westwood who left to focus on his football career. Indian City followed in ’99, an album filled with Indigenous themes, emotion and authenticity. Performing alongside Fontaine and Bodner, the band’s current members include Lawrence “Spatch” Mulhall (bass), Gerry Atwell (keyboard) and Rich Reid (drums). Ray “Coco” Stevenson also brings his Indigenous vocal stylings to the band as a featured guest.
Some of the group’s favourite performances include Canada Day on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill (2005, 2009), the famed New Orleans Jazz Fest (2011, 2015), folk festivals across North America and more than two dozen national televised performances and European tours. With a career spanning more than two decades, this band has produced nine studio albums, for which it has received more than 70 nominations and 35 awards, including a JUNO Award, Western Canadian Music Awards, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, Native American Music Awards and several Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. Most recently, the title track off their latest album Liberty (just released this November) garnered three nominations at the Indian Summer Music Awards and took home both Best Country Single and Best Rock Single. Coming nearly a decade after their previous album The Great Un-
Xen0art River Christie-White, known as Xen0art, is a 17-year-old First Nations electronic artist and DJ from the Oneida Nation of The Thames in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Focusing on electronic dance music (EDM), he keeps people moving on the dance floor with his pumping drum beats, soft melodic chords and dubstep-inspired synth drops. Christie-White is not only a musician; he is a First Nations hoop dancer and public speaker who travels across Canada and the United States educating others about the importance of inclusion. He uses his multiple platforms to increase awareness of autism, bullying and suicide preven20 | ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
tion, hoping to teach others about equality, visibility and acceptance.
In his short time on earth, he has already made an impact, receiving many honours, including the Heritage and Inclusion Award from the City of London, Ontario. He stays grounded and maintains a healthy lifestyle by longboarding and attending Pow Wows, sweat lodges and Longhouse ceremonies whenever he can. Christie-White is committed to creating a more inclusive world, on and off the dance floor.
known (2010), Liberty addresses societal and political issues like freedom, women’s place in society and universal questions about the human experience.
MUSIC
The Cody Blackbird Band Wins “Group of the Year”
Following their electric performance at the 19th annual Native American Music Awards on November 2, alternative rock fusion group The Cody Blackbird Band won Group of The Year for their album The Cody Blackbird Band and Connor Chee Live at Whitehorse Black Mountain. This is Cody Blackbird’s fifth NAMMY and the second Group of the Year win for the band.
Cody Blackbird also performs as a solo artist. As a traditional flutist and singer, Cody has been recognized as one of the top Native American flutists touring today, reaching over 120 communities annually. He has performed in communities all over the world, including Yamaha World Headquarters “Ginza Studio”, Tokyo, Japan; Aboriginal Cultural Center, Melbourne, Australia; and Alcatraz Island, USA.
“It is a tremendous honour to once again receive the Group of the Year award from the Native American Music Awards,” Cody said. “To know so many fans and industry colleagues voted and supported and helped us bring this home is a great feeling. We are so excited and humbled.” Raw, honest and organic: these are just a few words that have been used to describe The Cody Blackbird Band, whose music incorporates the haunting sound of the traditional Native American Flute, hide skin drums and other traditional elements to create a truly unique one-of-a-kind sound.
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As someone who has struggled with mental health, Blackbird hopes to open up a dialogue with his listeners to help break down the stigma of mental health and depression.
“No mere novelty act, this outfit fuses traditional Native-American flute music with blues, heartland rock and a multi-culti jam-band sensibility, creating a wholly original and wholly American rock form.” - Scruffy City Press
Indigenous (Dakota, Cherokee and Romani gypsy) brothers Cody and Caleb Blackbird set out to form a group that would honour the sacred music of their ancestors while simultaneously infusing the revolution of rock and R&B into their style. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, but now based in Phoenix, Arizona, the band is produced by Kenny Lee Lewis of the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Miller Band. Through their music, The Cody Blackbird Band shares the importance of finding purpose, pursuing goals and keeping Indigenous culture alive.
Photo L-R: Caleb Blackbird, Cody Blackbird (The Cody Blackbird Band), John Gourley, Zachary Carothers (Portugal. The Man). Photo submitted. (Local rock group The Cody Blackbird Band wins Group of the Year. Nov 8, 2019, Updated Nov 10, 2019. www.pinalcentral.com)
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Leela Gilday Eagle & Hawk Gabby Taylor Xen0art The Cody Blackbird Band
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2019 Indigenous Music Awards Nominee for Best Radio Station Program
INDIGENOUS CHAMPION
Wayne Garnons-Williams Reshaping International Indigenous Economic Development and Trade
P
lains Cree from Moosomin First Nation (Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan, Canada), Wayne Garnons-Williams was the recipient of the 2019 Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations. The award, presented by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) in September, recognized Garnons-Williams for his work in building bridges between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian society, and for his long, vested career in Aboriginal matters. Garnons-Williams is a motivational speaker and recognized world expert on international Indigenous tribal trade and investment. He has dedicated his career to advising First Nations and international organizations on exercising various inherent Indigenous rights. “Wayne has made so many new pathways for our people and continues to expand our Indigenous economic capabilities beyond what most could imagine,” said Shannon Louttit, CEO of the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau. “He works non-stop on changing mindsets, practices and policies around the world so that our present and future generations can prosper.” Garnons-Williams has studied the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the United States and Canadian governments from a legal policy standpoint, observing the opportunities and challenges found both domestically, within each country, and internationally. Called to the Bar in the early ’90s, Garnons-Williams has held various federal execu-
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tive legal positions, including: Registrar of the Federal Court of Canada, Director of Service Coordination, Courts Administration Service and Director for Resolutions, Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada and Deputy Head and Registrar of the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada. After twenty years of service in the Department of Justice, Garnons-Williams formed his own law firm, Garwill Law Professional Corporation, specializing in economic development for Indigenous peoples and international Indigenous trade. Inspired by undiscovered inherent Indigenous rights, especially economic rights, he also formed the International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO), a not-for-profit organization devoted to bringing together interested people who want to look at, examine and develop inter-Indigenous tribal trade globally. The purpose of IITIO is to combine international expertise, passion and experience in addressing tangible issues that can assist in the global foreign exchange of Indigenous goods, services and investments; to facilitate production of discussion, objective research and effective education with respect to international trade and investment through seminars, conferences and scholarly papers; and to recommend measures, activities, policies, regulations and legislative proposals that confer there is a global foreign exchange of Indigenous goods and services while respecting its principles. As the website describes, IITIO recognizes that inter-tribal trading practices once flourished among Indigenous traditional territories around the world, with Indigenous peoples using lands, resources, cultural knowledge, skill and artistry in a healthy and prosperous exchange of goods, teachings, traditions and stories. The organization also focuses on championing three principles: respect for Indigenous teachings, respect for the preference of environmentally sustainable practices and the fostering of healthy Indigenous communities and robust and stable Indigenous economies.
INDIGENOUS CHAMPION
In operation for the past six years, IITIO has branches across the globe, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; and Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand, with the hopes of starting a division in Australia in the near future. In an interview with SAY, Garnons-Williams noted the exciting opportunities that come from comparing Indigenous relationships between respective federal governments, in particular, connecting opportunities between the nation states of New Zealand and Canada, as well as the Māori and First Nations. In addition to his long list of achievements, Garnons-Williams was appointed to the NAFTA Chapter 19 Trade Remedies roster and is past Chair of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Appeals Tribunal. Through Garnons-Williams’ leadership in IITIO he continues advising the Government of Canada (Global Affairs) in their negotiating trade agreements to benefit Indigenous communities around the world. Most notably, he played a part
in assuring that Indigenous rights would be protected through the successful installation of Article 32.5 within the body of the Canada, United States and Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The work done in NAFTA (now CUSMA) as part of Canada’s “Inclusive Trade Agenda” still echoes on in other international trade negotiations in which the Government of Canada is currently involved. “So what does that mean for Canadian Indigenous nations, and potentially United States Indigenous nations?” asks Garnons-Williams. “It means that there’s a bright future ahead with respect to exercising your inherent economic right of inter-tribal trade amongst tribes protected by international trade agreements between nation states.” Garnons-Williams is a member of the Indigenous Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Carleton County Law Association, the Advocates’ Society and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
Garnons-Williams was the 2018 Research Fellow specializing in International Comparative Indigenous Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and he currently serves as a board member and director for Capacity Canada and the Council of the Great Lakes Region. A champion of inherent Indigenous economic rights, Garnons-Williams consistently challenges others to see from another perspective, facilitating the understanding of complex historical and legal problems and transforming them into future possibilities for all. Learn more about cross-border inter-tribal trade and suggestions on how Indigenous peoples can effectively exercise their inherent Indigenous rights of economic trade, and what they should be doing in the immediate future, in SAY’s next issue.
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SUBMISSION
New Budget Promises Change
between Federal Government and Indigenous Peoples For decades, Indigenous communities throughout Canada have struggled against economic disparities that have arisen from a lack of job opportunities, infrastructure and economic independence; however, a new federal budget is promising change. In the budget chapter dealing with the New Fiscal Relationship with Indigenous peoples, nearly half a billion dollars is being invested in Indigenous communities, building strong foundations for the well-being of First Nations. These foundations include good fiscal stewardship, autonomy and economic independence. The Fiscal Management Act (FMA) institutions are making significant steps in helping participating First Nations build new infrastructure, increase revenues, improve governance and implement innovative approaches to default management.
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The budget allocates 190 million dollars to close socio-economic gaps by supporting key priorities, such as infrastructure and data collection; close to 130 million dollars over two years is set aside to build internal and administrative capacity; there is another 50 million over five years to increase the services to First Nations provided by the First Nation Financial Management Board, the First Nation Financial Authority and the First Nation Tax Commission; and the budget also provides 100 million dollars over five years for First Nations to create their own governance structures. While the budget is still in its early stages, it is evident that progress is being realized with communication and understanding. The budget offers a promise of an equal stake at the table, economic freedom and empowerment.
This new federal budget proposes a true nation-to-nation relationship, laying a pathway for First Nations autonomy, investments, taxation and economic growth. Submitted from the perspective of First Nations institutions: Harold Calla, Squamish Nation, Executive Chair, First Nations Financial Management Board; C.T. (Manny) Jules, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, Chief Commissioner, First Nations Tax Commission; Ernie Daniels, Salt River, NWT, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Finance Authority.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Organizations Called to Submit
Proposals for Capacity Building Projects Community Futures Manitoba invites organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs to submit proposals for Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) Capacity Building Projects. Capacity building projects are designed to allow organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs to access up to $5,000 to implement projects that will encourage, support and/or assist Indigenous entrepreneurs in communities served by the organization. Applications will be accepted from individual organizations, but preference will be given to applications demonstrating partnerships among service providers/partners. Submissions must include a completed application form, and a budget and cash flow
summary. Additional information may be included as necessary. For more information and to submit an application, contact IBDS Project Coordinator Raena Baker at rbaker@cfmanitoba.ca. Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2020. The IBDS Program is comprised of organizations that offer services to Indigenous entrepreneurs. They offer business information and resource materials, assistance with business plan preparation, business advisory services and training in the form of workshops and seminars.
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SHORT TAKE
Financial Wellness Impacts Productivity By D. Vienneau The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has reported that, for most Canadians, financial worries are the biggest source of stress and distraction. Based on this information, it’s safe to
say that financial wellbeing is just as important as a person’s spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing. Not only can money woes significantly impact a person’s mental and physical health, they can drastically affect workplace productivity. So what can employers do to help support their employees in attaining better financial wellness? It’s important to first understand that there is a difference between financial wellness and financial literacy, and both are important. The FCAC defines financial literacy as having the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions. Financial wellness is described as being able to meet current and ongoing financial needs; feeling secure about your financial future; and being free to make choices that allow you to enjoy life. An article written by Judith Mewhort, Managing Partner at Montridge Advisory 26 | ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Group, suggests that many of us are stressed because we simply don’t know where to start. Mewhort further explains that financial wellness starts with the basics: reducing debt, protecting ourselves
and our loved ones, setting dollars aside for a financial emergency and saving towards life goals. If employers truly want to make a difference, a great place to start is to let employees know they are not alone by implementing an employee financial wellness program. What this looks like might be different depending on where you work; however, many common suggestions include offering employee assistance programs, workplace savings plans and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Offering education, tools and support to improve employee financial preparedness and wellness can go a long way towards boosting productivity in the workplace. Moreover, an organization that meaningfully engages their employees in these processes will gain a reputation for supporting their staff, resulting in better employee attraction and retention, and a more lucrative business overall.
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