by Linda Post Creative resource development models can provide the economic security to protect an Aboriginal community. For the individual that means self-reliance: the community , self- sufficiency. But resource development models need to distinguish between what people need and what people want.

Laura Enriquez Some of the Think Tank participants take a break from economic development talk. From left are Tim Johnson, Darrell Beaulieu, Louis Seymour, Theresa Zip, Vicki Antone and Louis Stats.

That was the mission of a small group of Aboriginal participants from across Canada, gathered at the Economic Development Think Tank Conference in Six Nations April 27 and 28.

Through pre-contact history, Aboriginal inter-national trade, progress and change was governed by the people.“We’re not re-inventing the wheel. It’s re-establishing those ties and sharing products from one part of the world to another,” stated Darrel Beaulieu, one of seven participants.

Louie Seymour and Beaulieu talked about their community and regions economic development vision. And as distinct as their communities are, their concerns on economic development are grounded in traditional values of self-sustaining economy, mixed with the political tools they are forced to adapt from mainstream society.

Seymour is a member of the Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation located outside Kenora, Ont. and is the economic development advisor for the nine-member Bimose Tribal Council in northwestern Ontario.

“The think tank discussion...was political and spiritual, the meat and bones of economic development...” said Seymour.

For Seymour it’s a matter of priorities. He said, “Family is important. The community is important. The well-being of the people...is very important.”

“ I often look at the old society. What was the basis of economics then? It was a case of providing the commodities of warmth, food, and water,” explained Seymour.

Seymour said it’s difficult to find a narrow but mutual plan to meet the diverse needs of all communities. “We’re trying to assess their (communities) commonality. That’s the potential part of doing any plan. Where is your base?

And what is the base of Seymour’s philosophy? “I always remind myself, we have to believe that the Indian values are still valid.”

Seymour appeals to Aboriginal leaders, individuals and communities to value the human element. Seymour’s concerns are shared by fellow participant Darrell Beaulieu. Beaulieu, a member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation, is the current president of the, “100 percent Dene owned,” Deton’Cho Corporation.

He said economic development schemes in his community were heavily influenced by corporate interests in non-renewable resources, as well as by the planning controls inherent in their relationship with Indian Affairs, the Territory and federal governments.

In reference to the Denendeh Territory of the western Arctic, Beaulieu said, “...50 percent of the population is (Aboriginal and are) going to have an effect upon the political structures and economic structures of the Northwest Territories. The world is the market place,” said Beaulieu and added that communities should look outside their immediate regions to develop all market resources.

The think tank discussions attempted to develop very broad strategies and Beaulieu outlined them as: Know what you want, how to do it, when to start it, who is responsible, and when is it to be done. “And be really, really clear on the expected outcomes,” cautioned Beaulieu.

“There’s no such thing as failure. You had a different outcome. Does that constitute failure? No! You ended up in the wrong place...make a correction or re-adjust your actions and away you go,” said Beaulieu.

He went on to say : “They (Aboriginal people) didn’t survive by giving up...And as North American Indigenous People, if we did that, there would have been nobody here when the Europeans came.” The motivation, then as now, was to supply the basic needs for survival - food and shelter.

Beaulieu advised communities and individuals to look at what they have and to make the best use of it, develop the production and the market.

“Everybody has their own riches... and when we talk about economic development again I say...it’s being done. It’s the energy. It’s time.”

Beaulieu called the Think Tank important and valuable. “We’re sharing ideas and the intent is to strengthen each other’s initiatives...it’s a small step and we’re going to continue.”

Overall, the message of both Louie Seymour and Darrell Beaulieu seemed to be: Don’t dwell on the obstacles of difference, but address potential and changes with caution and conscience, keeping in mind the future of resources and the individual needs of Aboriginal communities.

The Think Tank was sponsored by the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.