The Indigenous Economic Progress Report 2019

1 The National Indigenous Economic Development Board 10 Wellington St., 17th floor Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4 (819) 953-2994 The Indigenous Economic Progress Report 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR On behalf of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), I am pleased to present the 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report . The 2012 Aboriginal Economic Benchmarking Report was the first ever comprehensive effort to identify, assess, and compare a series of core and underlying indicators, and it represented the first attempt to capture the state and Progress of the Indigenous economy in Canada. Three years later, the 2015 Progress Report demonstrated that between 2006 and 2011, small gains had been made towards the 2022 target. The Report revealed that large gaps remained between the core and underlying social and Economic indicators of Canada s Indigenous and non- Indigenous populations.

2 The 2019 Report is intended primarily as an update to the 2015 Aboriginal Economic Progress Report , comparing data from the 2006 Census and the 2016 Census. The goal of these reports is to identify trends in the Indigenous economy in Canada over a ten-year period and make recommendations. The NIEDB strongly believes that Indigenous peoples are making Economic and social Progress , but most importantly, making important contributions to the Canadian economy. It is essential to maintain this momentum by enacting policies and programs that will drive Economic development and contribute to closing the gap. The NIEDB s vision is for Indigenous peoples to be healthy, well-educated, economically self-sufficient and full participants in the Canadian economy. The 2012 Aboriginal Economic Benchmarking Report set the bold target of closing the gap in Economic outcomes between Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples by 2022.

3 The 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report shows however that while the situation has improved for all, the gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Canadians remains large. In fact, Indigenous peoples in Canada are currently not on track to achieving parity with non- Indigenous Canadians. More efforts by all are required to make these results attainable. For this reason, I hope that this Report like its predecessors will be used by Indigenous peoples in Canada, the private sector, academics and governments, Indigenous and non- Indigenous alike, to influence decisions that will help achieve meaningful improvements in the Economic participation of First Nation, Inuit and M tis peoples. To enrich the value of the Report , an NIEDB Economic Development Index was derived to assess how the overall core and underlying outcomes for the Indigenous population have compared with the non- Indigenous population.

4 In order to better reflect the changing Economic landscape, a specific focus on Indigenous youth and regional outcomes has been included to better reflect the differences in the age structures and the differences in indicators by province and territory for both the Indigenous and the non- Indigenous population. Finally, for the first time ever, the 2019 Report also provides a gender analysis and an Infrastructure Index. The infrastructure index compares the state of infrastructure in 200 remote Indigenous and 36 non- Indigenous communities, for 7 types of infrastructure. The gender chapter provides key evidence on the social and Economic disparities between Indigenous women and men and their non- Indigenous counterparts. The Board strongly believes that there is a need to focus on better data collection and assessment of policy measures that stimulate Economic development.

5 Indeed, better data collection will provide more detailed insight into where things stand and what needs to be done. Indigenous peoples, and particularly First Nations on reserve, require drastic action in order to close the gaps and address increasing disparities with the non- Indigenous population. The NIEDB is concerned that much of the Economic potential of Indigenous peoples remains unrealized. It is clear that there is still much work to be done before Indigenous peoples are in the same position as other Canadians to contribute to and benefit from one of the world s wealthiest economies. The state of Indigenous Economic and social well-being will inform the Board s recommendations to the Government of Canada, and will identify critical data gaps to effectively evaluate Progress . Finally, I would like to sincerely thank our sub-committee, Ms. Dawn Madahbee and Dr. Marie Delorme, for their invaluable guidance and advice in leading the development of this Report .

6 Sincerely, Chief Clarence Louie Chair, National Indigenous Economic Development Board THE NATIONAL Indigenous Economic DEVELOPMENT BOARD Established in 1990, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) is a national, non-partisan, board mandated to advise the Government of Canada on Indigenous Economic development issues. The Board holds a vision of vibrant Indigenous economies, characterized by Economic self-sufficiency and socio- Economic equality with the rest of Canada. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and M tis community and business leaders from across Canada, the Board plays an important role in helping the federal government develop and implement policies and programs that respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples. The Board also provides a vital link between policy makers, federal departments, and Indigenous and non- Indigenous business and community leaders.

7 Information about the NIEDB can be found online at: The Board members are: Chief Clarence Louie Chairperson Chief, Osoyoos Indian Band Dawn Madahbee Leach Vice-Chairperson General Manager, Waubetek Business Development Corporation Hilda Broomfield Letemplier President/Chief Financial Officer, Pressure Pipe Steel Fabrication Ltd. Dr. Marie Delorme Chief Executive Officer, The Imagination Group of Companies Ruth Williams Vice Chairperson, First Nations Market Housing Fund Chief Terrance Paul CEO, Membertou Development Corporation Maxime Vollant Owner, Maxime Vollant Consulting Services Sandra Sutter Manager, Aboriginal Partnerships for PTW Group of Companies Victoria LaBillois President, Wejipeg Excavation ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The 2019 Indigenous Economic Progress Report was made possible by the contributions of a wide range of individuals, organizations, and communities. The NIEDB is especially grateful to the academics who participated on the Expert Review Panel, who offered their generous and insightful feedback to help guide the selection of data and analysis of this Dr.

8 John Borrows Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, University of Victoria Dr. David Newhouse Associate Professor, Business Administration Chair, Indigenous Studies, Trent University Dr. Andrew Sharpe Executive Director, Centre for the Study of Living Standards Dr. Fred Wien Professor Emeritus, Dalhousie University This Report would not have been possible without the contribution of countless reports and surveys by First Nations, Inuit, and M tis peoples across Canada. We wish to thank them for their participation in these important initiatives. 1 Changes to the Report were made based on recommendations received. The contents of the Report are the sole responsibility of the NIEDB. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR .. 2 THE NATIONAL Indigenous Economic DEVELOPMENT BOARD .. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .. 8 INTRODUCTION .. 10 WHERE WE ARE AND HOW WE HAVE PROGRESSED: KEY INDICATORS OF THE Indigenous ECONOMY.

9 19 TRENDS IN THE Indigenous ECONOMY .. 22 TARGETS AT A GLANCE .. 25 CORE INDICATOR #1: EMPLOYMENT .. 27 CORE INDICATOR #2: INCOME .. 32 CORE INDICATOR #3: COMMUNITY WELL-BEING .. 50 UNDERLYING INDICATOR #1: EDUCATION .. 53 UNDERLYING INDICATOR #2: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT .. 59 UNDERLYING INDICATOR #3: GOVERNANCE .. 69 UNDERLYING INDICATOR #4: LANDS AND RESOURCES .. 79 UNDERLYING INDICATOR #5: INFRASTRUCTURE .. 86 INFRASTRUCTURE INDEX FOR REMOTE Indigenous COMMUNITIES .. 103 GENDER-BASED ANALYSIS .. 109 NIEDB Economic DEVELOPMENT INDICES .. 127 A LOOK AT YOUTH .. 131 REGIONAL DATA .. 144 RECOMMENDATIONS .. 148 ANNEX A: TABLES .. 153 ANNEX B: DATA gaps AND LIMITATIONS .. 183 ANNEX C: METHODOLOGY FOR INDICES .. 188 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Indigenous Economic development is an integral component of reconciliation, holding huge potential to fuel Canadian Economic growth. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission s Calls to Action (#92) identify respectful relationships, equitable access to opportunities, and education of non- Indigenous management as key components of Economic reconciliation.

10 Indigenous Economic development and participation are keys to closing the significant opportunity gaps between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Canadians which if addressed would boost Canada s economy by $ billion Further, with a young and growing Indigenous population, Indigenous Economic development is a powerful untapped resource to drive Canada s future Economic growth. Indigenous populations face deeply rooted systemic barriers embedded in the Canadian Economic landscape, notably the Indian Act and its restrictive land regime, inadequate implementation of the treaties, and systematic exclusion of Indigenous peoples from Economic systems. This has resulted in Indigenous overrepresentation in low paying jobs, higher unemployment rates, and lower educational attainment than their non- Indigenous counterparts. Indigenous populations are more likely to live in crowded homes that are in need of repairs, and in communities lacking adequate water, transportation, and connectivity infrastructure.