A call for a ‘new way of doing business’

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This article was published 20/03/2009 (6113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Aboriginal people are open to business — as long as they’re on an equal level at the same table, the country’s national chief says.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said aboriginal people know the economy is in a recession, but they are looking to the future.

"Once we get beyond this financial crisis there will be significant opportunities for this country," Fontaine said at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s membership luncheon on Thursday.

"The next wave of wealth creation will be on Indian land and Indian territories. My message is about partners and creating real opportunities… we need a new way of doing business.

"We have to engage and interact in a different way… we say to you, forget about the old way. This is a better way. Look to us as partners. We have to be at the table with you as equals."

Speaking to an audience filled with local business leaders, Fontaine said the aboriginal population is a significant part of the city.

"We’re determined to make a real and positive contribution to the wellbeing of the city," he said.

Dave Angus, the chamber’s president and CEO, said Fontaine’s speech is already being seen positively by the business community. "We think this will stimulate action between both groups," Angus said.

"We need each other. They need the business community, the employers to provide employment and training, and we need the aboriginal community, especially the youth, for future workers. This was a strong message to the business community, but also the aboriginal community leaders," Angus said.

Earlier, Fontaine detailed the terrible conditions faced by many aboriginal people across the country.

He said there are currently 42 First Nations communities without a school, more than 80 with their schools in disrepair, and more than 100 with boil water advisories. He said the suicide rate in some aboriginal communities is the highest in the world, and there are three times more aboriginal youth in the care of child and family services agencies than were in residential schools.

But Fontaine also pointed to the success stories, including there being almost 30,000 aboriginal students in university, and more than 20,000 businesses owned and managed by aboriginals.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca