Economic Reconciliation: A Call to Indigenous Action

Economic reconciliation is a key part of the broader reconciliation journey between Canadians and Indigenous peoples. It aims to address the economic disparities that have long affected Indigenous communities by creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to fully participate in the economy on their own terms and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably. However, economic reconciliation isn't just about what governments, industry, and Canadians can do for Indigenous peoples; it's also about what we, as Indigenous peoples, can and must do for ourselves.

While external support, commitment, and accountability are crucial, Indigenous peoples and communities must actively shape our economic futures. True reconciliation involves mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a collective commitment to long-term change. To achieve this, we must take charge by supporting one another, trading within our communities, investing in Indigenous businesses, and prioritizing the hiring of our own people.

At the core of economic reconciliation is the understanding that Indigenous peoples and communities have the power and potential to lead their own economic resurgence. However, unlocking this potential requires confronting and overcoming several challenges that have hindered our progress.

Supporting Indigenous Businesses

One of the most pressing challenges we face is our tendency to purchase goods and services from big-box and other non-Indigenous retailers instead of Indigenous-owned businesses. When we choose to spend our money outside our communities, we contribute to economic leakage, draining resources from our communities. This leakage weakens our economies and stifles the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses that are vital to our collective prosperity.

By redirecting our spending toward Indigenous businesses, we can create a ripple effect that strengthens our economies, builds wealth within our communities, and fosters greater self-reliance. Every dollar spent within our communities is a step toward economic sovereignty. It’s a powerful statement that we value and support our own. Moreover, this shift in spending can inspire the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs, creating jobs and fostering greater economic prosperity.

Setting Our Own Targets

While it’s essential to hold external parties accountable for meeting their Indigenous spending and procurement targets, we must equally focus on setting and reporting our own goals. Too often, the emphasis is placed on what others are doing—or failing to do—when it comes to Indigenous procurement, while few Indigenous communities, businesses, or organizations have publicly committed to their own targets or reported on their progress. It’s concerning that even the leading organization advocating for greater Indigenous procurement by governments and industry has not publicly shared its targets or results.

External accountability is important, but it should not divert us from the critical need to establish and achieve our own benchmarks for economic success. By setting clear, measurable targets for our businesses and communities, we gain the ability to track progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement. Establishing our own goals empowers us to define what success looks like on our terms, and reporting on our progress not only reinforces a culture of transparency and accountability within our communities but also sends a strong message to external partners and stakeholders. It demonstrates that we are serious about economic reconciliation, committed to driving tangible results, and ready to lead by example. When we hold ourselves to the same standards we expect from others, we build trust, credibility, and momentum toward our shared goals.

Hiring Our Own

Another challenge we face is the persistent reliance on non-Indigenous professionals instead of nurturing and employing Indigenous talent. Too often, we turn to "Mainstreet" professionals—those outside our communities—due to perceived expertise, experience, or convenience. This has fueled the growth of an industry where non-Indigenous consultants, lawyers, bankers, and other professionals profit by advising Indigenous leaders under the guise of advancing economic reconciliation—often for hefty fees. One consulting firm has even established an entire department dedicated to Indigenous "nation-building." Ironically, many of these same professionals and firms claiming to support our communities are the ones who have long been involved in third-party management, overseeing and controlling community affairs.

This practice of hiring from outside the community not only deprives our people of meaningful job opportunities but also perpetuates the damaging stereotype that Indigenous professionals are less capable than their non-Indigenous counterparts. This mindset must change. By prioritizing Indigenous professionals, we create job opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and empower our people to take leadership roles in economic development. Moreover, hiring our own people helps to preserve and pass down Indigenous knowledge, values, and traditions. Indigenous professionals bring a unique perspective deeply rooted in our cultures and worldviews, which is crucial for building businesses and institutions that are not only economically successful but also culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of our communities.

Getting Rid of the Influential Oppressor Mindset

At the core of these issues—whether it's supporting Indigenous businesses, hiring our own, or setting and achieving our targets—lies the influential oppressor, an individual or people within communities who hold decision-making authority or purchasing power but choose not to support their community members. Often driven by personal biases, jealousy, or a desire to maintain power, these individuals undermine progress and hinder the potential of their own communities.

This influential oppressor mindset is deeply rooted in historical traumas and internalized colonial attitudes, where the value and potential of Indigenous people and businesses are often underestimated or dismissed. Such internalized oppression leads to decisions that favor external entities over community-driven initiatives, perpetuating a cycle of economic stagnation and dependency.

Overcoming this mindset requires a conscious effort to dismantle these internal barriers. It calls for a collective awakening to the potential of our people and power that lies ?within our communities. By challenging and changing this mindset, we open the door to economic reconciliation that goes beyond external actions and focuses on reclaiming our own narrative and economic agency.

Conclusion

Economic reconciliation is a collective effort that requires the active participation of all parties—governments, industry, Canadians, and Indigenous peoples alike. However, it is imperative that we, as Indigenous peoples, take the reins of our economic destiny. By supporting one another, trading with each other, investing in Indigenous businesses, and prioritizing the hiring of our own people, we can build resilient economies that reflect our values, strengthen our communities, and ensure a prosperous future for the next seven generations and beyond.

Steven Vanloffeld, M.A., M.B.A is an Anishinaabe citizen of Saugeen First Nation, Ontario. He is Founder & CEO of eSupply Canada and Principal of INDsight Consulting.

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