Brandon UrBan aBoriginal PeoPles’ CoUnCil and the City of Brandon aboriginal economic Strategic Plan 2015-2018

Funded in support by 2 Aboriginal Economic Strategic Plan 2015-2018

Southwestern has nearly a dozen First the lost potential for partnerships and develop -

Nations Reserves and numerous Aborigina l organ - ment of Aboriginal participation in the regional izations focused on social and economic prosperity. economy. As for many of the surrounding First Na - However, despite the individual efforts of these or - tion Reserves and Metis locals to the city of Bran - ganizations; a collective plan for economic cooper - don, we have found that a great number of these ation, from and Aboriginal perspective, has not populations access Brandon for employment op - developed regionally. The missing plan results in portunities, educational success and for the local

Aboriginal Economic Strategic Plan 2015-2018 3 economy on purchasing of goods for their essential increase opportunities for self-empowerment needs. amongst the surrounding First Nations in coming The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council has together on a partnership with some infrastructure taken a lead on the development of an Aboriginal to build upon. Economic Strategic Plan (AESP) to be shared with With the current Aboriginal population in Brandon our surrounding communities and with the City of sitting at 16%, we see the need to increase the par - Brandon. The AESP will identify the needs within ticipation in the local economy through the creation the community to increase the participation of the of employment initiatives, awareness campaigns Aboriginal community with our local economy and surrounding training programs, supporting social local labour market. service agencies and awareness of services and an The AESP will also identify the opportunities for the overall better quality of life for Aboriginal persons development of an Urban Reserve whereas it would living in and working in the city of Brandon.

First NatioNs Metis LocaLs Birdtail Sioux First Nation Assiniboine (Birtle) Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Cherry Creek (Boissevain) Canupawakpa Dakota Nation Grand Valley (Brandon) Swan Lake First Nation Les Metis (Minnedosa) Rivers (Rivers) Dakota Tipi First Nation Snake Creek (Birtle) Rolling River Anishinabe Nation Turtle Mountain (Lake Metigoshe) Waywayseecappo First Nation Wapiti () Gambler First Nation Westman (Brandon) Keeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation

The growing population among the Aboriginal creasing the participation rate of our Aboriginal communities is still one of the fastest growing community within local economic opportunities populations in Manitoba. It is for these reasons such as training for employment, employment and that we need to put an action plan in place to opportunities to build business relations and Abo - look at harboring new plans and new directives riginal business developments. on finding solutions to levels of poverty and in - 4 Aboriginal Economic Strategic Plan 2015-2018 the steering committee – Guiding the Way

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council for its consideration and advice, and the Aborigi - was established at the December 13th, 2010 nal Council may on its own initiative consider and meeting of Council. advise City Council on any matter relating to is - City Council may refer to the Aboriginal Council sues of concern to Aboriginal people, including:

Developing and maintaining a positive relationship with individuals, groups, agencies, organizations, orders of government, etc., who are addressing issues of concern to urban Aboriginal people;

Assisting the efforts of other agencies, organizations, etc., who are addressing issues of concern to Urban Aboriginal people;

Undertaking research, st