Mission: Building Capacity to Strengthen Aboriginal Communities Presentation by: Michael Watson General Manager Stó:lō Community Futures Chilliwack, BC October 27 th, 2015
Summary of Major Topics Covered Aboriginal Economies A Growing Power Overview of the Stó:lō Economy in Stó:lō Traditional Territory Sólh Téméxw Stó:lō Community Futures s Role and Mandate Our Vision Creating the Centre of Aboriginal Business in BC Achieving the Vision with Modern Business and Economic Strategies Open Dialogue and Discussion 2
First Nation Economy in BC 3
Rapid Growth of Aboriginal Business in Canada TD Bank Special Report June 17 th, 2011 Combined income of Aboriginal households, businesses and governments $24 billion in 2011 Could eclipse $32 billion in 2016 Will exceed the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Provinces of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland 4
Rapid Growth of Aboriginal Business in Canada Aboriginal Economic Development Corporations Owned by the Communities Unique business tools for Community-owned Aboriginal businesses Successful at bridging the gap between Community aspirations and the Private Economy Major economic and Business growth vehicle for many Aboriginal Communities First Nations are at the forefront in the boom in Resource Sectors across Canada Growing power from Court Decisions Impacts of Tsilhqot in Decision Energy, Pipeline and Commodities Land Titles Impact Benefit Agreements Business and Employment Opportunities 5
Rapid Growth of Aboriginal Business in Canada From Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Studies 2006 Census Over 37,000 Aboriginal businesses across Canada 87% above the 1996 Census 2015 Data now being assembled, estimated over 50,000 Aboriginal businesses across Canada 6
Rapid Growth of Aboriginal Business in Canada 7
Rapid Growth of Aboriginal Business in Canada Rapidly increasing population with approximately 50% of the total Aboriginal population under the age of 25 Aboriginals are proportionally are starting businesses at 5 times the rate of non-aboriginal businesses in Canada 8
The Stó:lō Traditional Territory 9
Overview of the Economy of the Stó:lō Territory 24 First Nation Communities 56 Reserves allocated by the Federal Government Total Aboriginal/First Nation/Métis Population: 15,000 (Est) Largest First Nation in BC Traditional Territory from Fort Langley to Yale, on both sides of the Fraser River, and into the United States Major industries: Forestry, Farming, Band Business and Trade 10
Community Futures of BC Core funding is provided by Western Economic Diversification Community Futures was established by the Federal Government in 1986 Assist local communities in responding to the severe economic and labour market changes they were facing Community Futures branches are locally based, non-profit organizations overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and various Board appointed Committees. Bottom-up Structure There are 34 active Community Futures in BC, 3 of which are Aboriginal Specific 11
Stó:lō Community Futures A "not-for-profit" organization Directed by a volunteer Board of Directors, of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Members who are local business professionals and Community Leaders Mandate - To provide entrepreneurial training programs, to provide lending services to qualified Aboriginal businesses and to assist in Community economic development Embraces and celebrates Stó:lō cultural values Creating and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit in our Communities 12
Stó:lō Community Futures Contributes to social and economic wellbeing within the Stó:lō Traditional Territory 2015 Winner of the Community Futures British Columbia Award for Excellence and Innovation Providing business owners and entrepreneurs access to services through a range of Community economic development initiatives, business support services, and lending services Offer full-service support centre, for Aboriginals wanting to start or expand their own businesses, with business supports ranging from financing to training programs. 13
Need for a New Vision Developed by the SCF Board on the Stó:lō strengths of: Close proximity to major International Markets, from Vancouver, Seattle and the Pacific Rim Largest land holdings in the Fraser Valley Rapidly increasing land wealth Highly educated Aboriginal workforce A rich entrepreneurial and cultural history in Sólh Téméxw 14
Our Vision The Vision of Stó:lō Community Futures is for the Stó:lō Traditional Territory to become a leading center of Aboriginal business and entrepreneurial growth within British Columbia, within five years. 15
Economic and Business Strategies Supporting the Vision Drew upon the Stó:lō entrepreneurial strengths and cultural values Founded upon Stó:lō Drew upon key non-aboriginal economic strategies Not yet collectively deployed by any Aboriginal business organization Some of the Economic Business concepts deployed, included: (next page) 16
Economic and Business Strategies Supporting the Vision Branding Strategies Business Cluster Development Theories Attraction Strategies for Aboriginal Land Development Grow Your Own Business Strategies Stó:lō Centre for Business New Entrepreneurial and Training Programs Creating New Sources of Aboriginal Finance 17
Birth of the Brand Branding theory well used - new phenomena for Aboriginal organizations Used to promote Stó:lō culture, history and strong entrepreneurial spirit The Brand becomes the unifying message Standards of business practice Create business and economic growth opportunities As the unifying message, all activities of SCF are now linked to the Brand and its strategies 18
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Birth of the Brand The STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS Brand was designed by Jason Forseth, a Seabird Island First Nation Band Member. The water droplet in the center of the logo represents the Stó:lō (People of the River) forming two hands shaking. A universal sign of business On the outside of the droplet, there are two open native hands (in the position of Giving thanks or Honoring ) within two Salmon, which represent our Stó:lō culture and traditions The two figures on the outside edge represent the people, businesses and organizations who support us and who we do business with The cityscape in the lower part of the circle represents the future and growth of our businesses, seven generations into the future 20
Birth of the Brand https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fvuwgf2hxgm 21
Our New Home - Award-winning Stó:lō Resource Centre Developed by Stó:lō Resource Centre Management Team Houses Cultural, Business and Learning Facilities Project managed by Stó:lō Community Futures Funding negotiated from Federal Government - $7.5 million Economic Stimulus Program Direct Funding from Stó:lō Nation - $5 million Building completed to Gold LEED Certification First in all the Territory Building opened October, 2010 Winner of major Awards, including the 2010 Federal Minister s Award for Excellence and Innovation 22
Launch of a Brand April 9 th, 2014 Gala ceremony in Longhouse on Coqualeetza Campus Site of major Brand Launch Several unique features Setting the Brand s public image New song by Juno nominated and Stó:lō music artist, Inez Jasper Go Stó:lō, to support the Brand. 23
Launch of a Brand April 9 th, 2014 Extensive Aboriginal food caterers and purveyors Showcasing extent of food service and cuisine businesses within Sólh Téméxw, Event announced the initial Stó:lō Micro Lending Program with Bank of Montréal: for $100,000 24
Launch of a Brand April 9 th, 2014 Announced major business event sponsored by SCF STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH. Announced Vancity Each One, Grow One Training Program Achieved extensive media coverage. 25
Key Aspects of the Stó:lō Economy Understanding Our Businesses Working in partnership with the Province of BC SCF was commissioned to complete a comprehensive business survey of Stó:lō, to fully understand the Aboriginal business economy The Survey was designed to identify the size of the Stó:lō economy and gather Stó:lō businesses intelligence 26
Key Aspects of the Stó:lō Economy The Survey revealed that there were over 250 Aboriginal-owned businesses in Sólh Téméxw The Survey also revealed that Sólh Téméxw is one of the fastest-growing areas of Aboriginal business concentration in the Province of BC With the information from the Survey, the SCF website http://www.stolocf.ca became a major marketing tool for Aboriginal businesses Incorporating database into business marketing tool, linked directly into the Aboriginal business websites and social media pages. 27
Key Aspects of the Stó:lō Economy There are over 250 businesses in Sólh Téméxw, with many more being identified and new businesses rapidly being created 45% of Aboriginal businesses have some form of Community ownership 39% of Stó:lō businesses have been in business for than 10 years; 11% have been in business more than 20 years! 28
STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH Designed to connect Stó:lō decision-makers from both the Sto:lo Communities and the Aboriginal business sector, with the private sector, to create opportunities for joint venture businesses. Unique partnership between SCF and Raven Events This major Aboriginal business event was held in Sólh Téméxw on October 28 th and 29 th, 2014 Funded by 20 private sector sponsors for over $75,000 29
STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH Over 1,000 business appointments between Aboriginal businesses and the private sector Featured a Stó:lō cultural and business celebration at the Sumas Longhouse Featured a diverse range of Stó:lō and Métis entertainment, and Aboriginal cuisine 30
STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH Major Achievements Announced: Doubling of the Micro Lending Program by the Bank of Montréal The new Stó:lō Community Loan Fund jointly announced by SCF and Vancity, for $1 million for new Stó:lō Community loans Aboriginal BEST training program funded by Vancity, delivered in November, 2014 New PAL loan funding of $500,000, from other BC Community Futures offices 31
STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH STÓ:LŌ BUSINESS MATCH (SBM) established six goals, five of which were achieved: Ensuring that our Guests have excellent experiences Honoring our Sponsors Promoting the STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINES S Brand Achieving several new announcements at SBM Having excellent media relations and coverage SBM to break even financially MET MET MET MET MET NOT MET 32
STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS Summary of Achievements to date Unique and innovative approaches to Aboriginal business and economic development Diversification of one of the fastest growing Aboriginal business economies in BC Focused on the growth of new and existing Aboriginal small and medium-sized business enterprises Major new Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal business partnerships Significant employment growth and new job creation in Sólh Téméxw 33
STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS Summary of Achievements to date Delivery of services to all Aboriginal businesses and First Nation communities throughout the major urban and rural areas of 24 First Nation Communities Already recognized provincially and nationally as a major new approach to Aboriginal business and economic development Extensive media coverage for STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS The Brand is displayed with all STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS Branding strategies to develop and convey standard imaging and messaging for Stó:lō Many aspects of the economic and business strategies deployed by SCF, can be used by other Aboriginal economic development organizations STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS is a major catalyst for Aboriginal business growth, both in Stó:lō First Nation Communities and the larger Aboriginal business sector. 34
SCF Strategic Planning Committee The Next Steps Mandate To develop and implement the Strategy for achieving the Vision Creating business networking opportunities Aboriginal Business Association Stó:lō Business Connect Business Networking and Public Relations STÓ:LŌ CENTRE FOR BUSINESS Conducting a detailed feasibility study Carefully surveying the market on the exact needs and Programs for STÓ:LŌ CENTRE FOR BUSINESS Establishing self-sustained financing Education and Training Develop businesses and entrepreneurial training programs Work with various universities Develop an entrepreneurial training centre for Stó:lō Developing new sources of business capital Securing new equity channels Securing Financing for Businesses Exploring crowdfunding networks for First Nations Develop venture capital funds for First Nation 35
STÓ:LŌ CENTRE FOR BUSINESS 36
Highlights of Achievements STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS Provincial Aboriginal Business Awards from Stó:lō Business Community Stó:lō Community Futures Extensive Media Coverage 2010 AJ Towing 2011 Bravo Restaurant 2013 Ts elxweyeqw Tribe 2015 K & L Contracting 2010 Minister s Award of Excellence and Innovation 2015 Community Futures BC Award of Excellent and Innovation CBC Radio National News - CBC French, The Globe and Mail Vancouver Sun Business In Vancouver Magazine Fraser Valley newspapers and radio 37
Highlights of Achievements STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESS https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xmqor51epqm 38
Thank you! Mike Watson General Manager Questions? Stó:lō Community Futures Like Us on Facebook! To find out more about the Stó:lō business corporate story, please visit our website www.stolo.ca 39