Post-Event Recap: 2024 Economic Reconciliation Summit

Overview

The 2024 Economic Reconciliation Summit: ‘The Indigenous-led Economy’ hosted by Canada2020 took place in Ottawa on May 30 and explored how reconciliation can be at the heart of future prosperity for all. The Summit brought together leading policy makers, Indigenous leaders and private sectors partners to discuss how we can accelerate the pace of Indigenous-led projects and support communities in a meaningful and sustainable way. To learn more about the conference, click here.

Summit Highlights

• Minister Vandal (Minister of Northern Affairs) and Tiara Folkes (TC Energy) discussed successful projects that have taken place in the Prairies and North, with commonalities being they were community-led and offered genuine employment and education for communities. They underlined the only way to achieve a sustainable future was through territorial and regional leaders who best understand the resources, land and communities.
• There was an in-depth focus on the US and the steps the current administration is taking to develop their natural resources. Heidi Todacheene (Senior Advisor to the Secretary, US Department of the Interior) often cited that they looked north of the border when developing many of their policies and were inspired by the progress being made in areas of Canada. While large amounts of money had been announced in the Inflation Reduction Act to support specific areas of growth in Indigenous communities, deploying that capital was often slower than they would have hoped.
• A key highlight of the Summit was the session with Chief Crystal Smith (Chief, Haisla Nation) who spoke movingly about the difference genuine economic reconciliation can make to communities, not just in terms of education and employment but also the social care services that are often lacking. Chief Smith also gave updates on Haisla Nation’s projects and their careful but robust economic development practices.

The Bottom Line

• There is considerable momentum behind supporting and enabling Indigenous communities to be partners in major infrastructure projects but their remains frustration at the obstacles that remain in the way. Less talk, more action was the common refrain among the speakers and participants.