Nisga`a Lisims Government

Nisga’a Lisims Government
CANDO 2014 ECONOMIC DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
COMMUNITY CATEGORY NOMINEE
“Prosperity for the Nisga’a Nation” – a model for economic development success
About the Nisga’a Nation
• Self-governing Treaty Nation – Nisga’a Final Agreement (May 11, 2000) –
affirming Nisga’a rights and title
• 2,000 square kilometres in the Nass Valley in Northwestern BC and
control of 22,000 square kilometres for the NASS Area
• 7,118 members in four Villages in the Valley, across BC in three urban
centres, in Canada and the U.S.
• Abundant with natural resources – fishing, forestry, mining, proposed
LNG, tourism
• Government, education, healthcare and telecommunication
• Nisga’a health board, school district and post-secondary institution
New Opportunities for the Nation
• The Nisga’a Final Agreement laid a foundation for prosperity and selfdetermination
• Opened the Nation to new possibilities, partnerships, and ideas for
investing in sustainable development for the future
• Engage and unite all Nisga’a entities and stakeholders of the Nation for
a common goal to shape the economic future for all members
• A powerhouse workforce – more than half the population (51%) is
young (15-29 years old) who need to be supported and mobilized
• A plan was needed to create a shared vision and collective approach to
economic development to achieve prosperity for the Nation
Challenges on the Path to Prosperity
• Each of the four villages had their own community and economic
development plans and training initiatives for capacity building
• Existing plans for community and economic development and
employment, but there were no strategies or funds to implement them
• Perception of a top-down decision-making approach by the Nisga’a
Lisims Government over the villages and the societies
The Prosperity Plan Vision [these are the objectives]
• A shared vision of sustainable economic prosperity
• A solid understanding of strategic implications for planning in the next
5-10 years
• Create high-level, achievable actionable action plans to for economic
success
• Improved alignment and collaboration with the villages, urban societies
and Nisga’a people
• Implement existing community and economic development plans
• Strategies to assist in capacity building across the Nation
The Prosperity Project
• “Prosperity for the Nisga’a Nation” – a project to establish an actionable
plan for economic development
• The Nisga’a Common Bowl model – finds shared values by linking
governance, administration and business development while integrating
modern and cultural values
• Participation of the Nation to share vision, obtain buy-in and feedback:
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Chief and council presentations
Community meetings for all members
Steering committee representing the four villages and urban societies
Nisga’a education, health and government
Nisga’a Shared Vision of Prosperity
Nisga’a Nation is building a strong,
healthy and diverse economy and is
united in driving sustainable economic
development. Nisga’a is working towards
increasing citizen quality of life
through building local economy,
entrepreneurship, self-sufficiency
and sustainability
Nisga’a Prosperity Framework
• Identifies 11 key themes, priorities, actions and timelines for
implementation
• A strategy for the Nation to overcome barriers and limitations to
economic development
#1 Create legislative framework
#2 Establish 6th directorate of economic development
#3 Create coordinated economic development strategy
#4 Increase training, education and employment opportunities
#5 Provide entrepreneurial support through business incubation
centre (BIC) implementation
Nisga’a Prosperity Framework
• #6 Develop Nisga’a tourism development strategy
• #7 Implement Nisga’a hotel tax
• #8 Implement Nisga’a’ tourism development strategy
• #9 Develop investment and infrastructure plans
• #10 Monitor economic progress and activity
• #11 Identify long-term objectives
Prosperity by numbers
• Invested $2.3 million in 26 projects in the Nass Valley and across
BC:
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Logging trucking businesses
Restaurant and fast food outlets
Day care business
Cedar shake mill
Gas bar/convenience store
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Retail outlets
Consulting business
Smoker business
Tourism outlet
Tourism plans for the four
Nisga’a Villages
Created 97 jobs as business operators and support staff
The Face of Prosperity Today –
• Created a comprehensive and actionable model for economic
development that is delivering results
• Integrated decision making, shared vision and aligned interests have
created a culture of trust and collaboration
• Fostered a culture of inclusion so citizens see themselves in the future
of the Nation
• The prosperity framework is set up to identify and address barriers and
limitations to economic development
• We are open for business both locally and internationally
• We have invested and continue to invest in the Quality of Life of all our
people and businesses so that all members benefit from prosperity
• Achieved a shared vision and plan for the future prosperity of the
Nation that aligns the goals of all entities and stakeholders