NationTalk: Ottawa, ON – Today marks the two-year anniversary of the National Indigenous Economic Strategy (NIES), a groundbreaking Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to achieving socioeconomic parity for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This historic milestone is a significant achievement in the ongoing journey toward economic reconciliation and prosperity.

The NIES is the result of a collaboration among more than 20 Indigenous organizations, forming a robust strategy based on four Strategic Pathways and numerous Calls to Economic Prosperity. The Calls to Economic Prosperity are actionable recommendations designed to address the unique economic challenges faced by Indigenous communities. These Calls provide a comprehensive framework for Canadians, governments, businesses, and institutions to support the journey toward economic reconciliation. By following these recommendations, all stakeholders can contribute to creating a more equitable and prosperous future for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

“Full reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples will not happen without economic reconciliation. It is not only the fair and right thing to do, but there is a strong and compelling business case for all Canadians” says Dawn Madahbee Leach, Chair of the Core Group National Indigenous Economic Strategy and Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.

Over the past two years, the NIES has been instrumental in promoting growth and development within the Indigenous economy. However, a crucial component has been missing—a method to effectively monitor, track, and chart the progress of these initiatives. Today, we are excited to announce a significant investment to establish and empower an Indigenous Institute called the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute (NIEPI), dedicated to collecting and governing Indigenous data on population, businesses, lands, and resources. This initiative, responding to Call to Economic Prosperity #79, will play a key role in monitoring and measuring the implementation of the Calls to Economic Prosperity, ensuring accountability and sustained progress.

Call to Economic Prosperity #79:

Establish and empower an Indigenous Institute to collect and govern Indigenous data about population, businesses, lands, and resources. This Institute will monitor and measure implementation of these Calls to Economic Prosperity.

This significant investment has been made possible by the First Nations University of Canada, the Mastercard Foundation, and the McConnell Foundation.

“We are thrilled to mark this milestone and announce the establishment of the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute at First Nations University of Canada. This institute is a crucial step forward in ensuring that the progress made through the National Indigenous Economic Strategy is ethical, transparent, innovative, measurable, and inspirational,” explains Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President of the First Nations University of Canada. “By showcasing, privileging, centering, and empowering Indigenous economic prosperity, and ensuring that Indigenous communities are equipped with the tools to track and manage their own data, which is data sovereignty, we are contributing to a solid foundation for sustained economic growth and reconciliation.”

“The Mastercard Foundation, through our EleV Program, partners with Indigenous-led organizations that are working to change systems of education and employment to support success for Indigenous youth. Our partnership with the First Nations University of Canada and the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute is grounded in the vision of strengthening Indigenous economies and in doing so strengthening the national economy. The work of the Institute will demonstrate a reality that all Canadians should understand: when Indigenous youth prosper, we all prosper,” says Jennifer Brennan, Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation.

“We recognize that reconciliation is a journey requiring respectful relationship building, and the prioritization of Indigenous led solutions, explains Lili-Anna Pereša C.Q., President and CEO, McConnell. “The reconciliation economy is an essential component of the route forward, and the NIES Calls to Economic Prosperity provide powerful inspiration and a reference for McConnell and others. We are pleased to celebrate this important milestone for the NIES.”

For media inquiries, please contact:
Penny Lee Colbourne: 819-360-2012, NIEPI@firstnationsuniversity.ca