Childhood experiences helped Vicki Antone define her job as an economic development officer for her First Nation located in southern Ontario.

She did not grow up living a middle class life but was brought up in several cities as her family moved around to get work. This experience helped her to define her role and job as an economic development official for her First Nation.

“We must do it our own way, to move ahead,” Antone says. She added, “There are no short cuts in achieving moving your community upward economically, socially, and culturally.”

Antone discussed future economic strategies in Six Nations with others in her field on securing funding, new directions for economic development. Antone feels that the whole community would benefit from having more business opportunities and employment.

“If you can run your home efficiently then you can run your community,” said Antone.

According to Antone people must stray from dependency on the government. Self-government initiatives mean we have to look out for ourselves, aside from the government’s fiduciary responsibilities.

“We are building our Nation to operate on its own,” Antone says.

The Aboriginal Media Program interviewed people such as Antone and other think tank members at the strategic planning session on the Six Nations Territory.