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June 22, 2021 | From Forestry to Aquaculture: The Need for Economic Reconciliation

Stewart Muir is founder and executive director of the Resource Works Society, a Vancouver-based group open to participation by British Columbians from all walks of life who are concerned about their future economic opportunities. He is an author, journalist and historian with experience on three continents including a financial editor of The Vancouver Sun responsible for mining and markets coverage. Since Resource Works was established in 2014, the group has gained international recognition for its practical approach to the public challenges of responsible natural resource development and use.

Whether at Fairy Creek or Discovery Islands, economic reconciliation has never been so timely. Resource Works intern Oscar Judelson-Kelly explores.

As the summer of 2021 unfolds, the need for reconciliation with Indigenous communities has never been so important.

The Fairy Creek blockade reached new heights in its protest against the logging of old growth forests on Vancouver Island as the RCMP began enforcing a court injunction. As the number of arrests continues to climb, it’s worth remembering that a sizable portion of the conflict is taking place on the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht Nation whose economy is entrenched in forestry and logging. While the nation’s elected and hereditary leadership has asked protesters to vacate the area, some members of the nation have joined the demonstrators opposing logging in Fairy Creek and the surrounding area.

At the end of May, the remains of 215 children were discovered at the site of the old Kamloops Indian Residential School, sparking a renewed national conversation about reconciliation. The discovery heightened awareness around the country concerning the challenges faced by Indigenous Canadians. From addressing racial discrimination to responding to economic and social barriers, the need for Indigenous reconciliation across Canada remains paramount.

The importance of the 2021 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) was not lost in the midst of these stories. The virtual event endeavoured to foster bonds among Indigenous communities and their enterprise partners, particularly in the realm of economic reconciliation. Here are my top three takeaways from the third panel – Moving Indigenous Business Forward.

1) Corporate Canada has a role to play in economic reconciliation

Larry Johnson, president of Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood, spoke on the importance of open conversations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The Truth and Reconciliation Report prompted companies to recognize their shortfalls and successes on the path towards economic reconciliation. The Report’s 92nd Call to Action calls for a commitment to meaningful consultation and the informed consent of Indigenous people before continuing with economic development projects. But Michele Baptiste at the Indigenous Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship discussed how corporate oversight and accountability are still needed when implementing the report’s findings. The development of company-wide reconciliation action plans would help establish trust with Indigenous people, support Indigenous consultation efforts and demonstrate the importance of economic reconciliation to non-Indigenous people.

2) One of the greatest challenges facing economic reconciliation is access to resources

When asked about emerging technology and strategy in aquaculture, Larry Johnson mentioned the Blue Economy Strategy, where economic growth is sustained by oceanic resource management. Yet, many Indigenous communities don’t possess the infrastructure or resources required for sustainable aquaculture, even though Canada has the potential to experience massive economic growth in the shellfish and finfish aquaculture sectors. Equipping Indigenous industry leaders with the resources and infrastructure they need to take advantage of the Blue Economy Strategy is certainly a step in the right direction. First Nations operating in the aquaculture industry require the capacity to build boats and cages, have faster marine vehicles or use sensors to streamline aquaculture. There are treaty nations around the country prepared to sign agreements with the federal government granting them tools to exploit a bluer economy and develop stronger local economies. But these pacts can’t be made independently — relationships between Indigenous governments, non-Indigenous governments and corporations are a precondition to economic reconciliation and increased access to resources and infrastructure.

Last winter, inadequate consultation led to the closure of 19 fish farms in BC’s Discovery Islands, highlighting the importance of relationship and dialogue. With the closures, 1,500 coastal workers in BC’s aquaculture sector were told that their jobs would be made redundant and communities would lose $379.7 million of economic output. This decision slows down the Blue Economy Strategy. Access to infrastructure and aquaculture resources are decreasing, not increasing. The Discover Island decision shows that without relationships and good faith dialogue between government, first nations and industry, the road ahead for economic reconciliation looks tougher and the opportunities for individuals fewer.

3) Economic reconciliation is about representation

Adam Munnings, founder and Indigenous lawyer at Munnings Law, spoke about how economic reconciliation must occur through dialogue. Economic reconciliation is achieved by reaching out to Indigenous leaders and communities, involving them in decisions and using their guidance on issues of economic reconciliation. Munnings spoke about Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms — the right to life, liberty and security. Indigenous people are afforded the right of legislative change with respect to laws that do not preserve their right to life, liberty and security. Yet Indigenous people are often underrepresented in conversations about the economic future of their land. Relationships and dialogue are avenues for economic reconciliation and a re-energized resource industry.

Corporate efforts, access to resources and Indigenous representation should feature front and centre to affect a more productive and inclusive national economy. Equally, these takeaways are invaluable in efforts towards economic reconciliation. Indigenous economies constitute an untapped mine of potential, and these points are crucial not only for economic reconciliation but also for national economic health. The future of Canada’s resource industries, whether forestry or aquaculture, is one in which Indigenous businesses, communities, and leaders will take ever greater leadership. Prioritizing economic reconciliation is not only right, it also helps build the relationships and trust needed to develop strong, future-oriented industries and prosperous communities.

Oscar Judelson-Kelly is Resource Work’s policy and research intern.

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June 22nd, 2021

Posted In: Resource Works

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