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Victoria Learning Circle

June 18th, 2009 Notes

The second Victoria learning circle had many of the same participants as the first, with the addition of representatives from two Aboriginal capital corporations, as well as more entrepreneurs and government representatives.

The group, after a brief review of what occurred in the previous session, launched into a discussion about the role of the community in Aboriginal economic development. This conversation involved three themes:

1. The importance of being connected in the community, as word of mouth in Victoria is often the best way to be successful in a small business.

2. The community has to spearhead and support any projects in order to be successful. This involves being recognizant of the needs of the community on behalf of the entrepreneur.

3. Finally, the group expressed that particularly in the case of Aboriginal economic development, the community has an essential role to play in terms of mentorship and recognizing the role of all members.

This led into a practical discussion regarding stakeholders that needed to be brought to the table. The Capital Regional District (CRD) was regarded to be a key player in business and social planning; having an integral role in how business can proceed in Victoria. There was a keen recognition that the CRD is attempting to be more sensitive to Indigenous values with regards to planning, but may not regard the inclusion of such values as important to stimulating urban Aboriginal economic development. There was a hope that a representative of the CRD could be brought to the table at future circles.

With this in mind, the group decided that it would be beneficial to draft a recruitment letter that is endorsed and signed by the group to target more people to bring into the circle. The CRD, lawyers, accountants and counselors were listed as important figures to be contacted.

In addition to the letter, several ideas were tabled to promote and expand the circle. These included, but were not limited to, contacting the various band offices, creating a newsletter, a website and tapping into the national network of circles and international examples to learn how other groups promoted Aboriginal economic development. Specifically, the example of the Maori economic development was viewed as having potential, because of the opportunity that one of the members has to do research in New Zealand.

Key Idea: Local Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce

The group recognized that while promoting the circle was a good idea, that starting up a local board of trade to provide services such as a mentorship program, to promote local Aboriginal business, and to create a space where entrepreneurs can interact and learn from each other, is much needed in Victoria.

It was decided that the best way to do this, would be to create a co-operative business association that would be set up as a non-profit organization. This, it was suggested, could be set up as a Chamber of Commerce model. The group proceeded to discuss the next steps to make this happen. It was agreed that a co-operative business plan would have to be drafted up or ascertained from the network, memberships would have to be sold, and that the underlying rhetoric for such a business association would be based on promoting cultural similarities with recognition of traditional trading routes in the region as a starting point. The discussion then turned to naming the association, and coming up with a mission statement. The group decided that a Chinook word would be used in the title.

The circle ended the day with addressing the question of how to measure the benefits of Aboriginal business to the economy. It was agreed upon that this was an important question to address when thinking about urban Aboriginal economic development, as currently, most measures are not based on criteria that would address specifically Aboriginal business and entrepreneurship. The circle closed with the intention of meeting again to develop further the business association idea as this was seen as having the most potential for aiding urban Aboriginal economic development.
 

Overall, the circles were viewed as a success, many of the participants felt it was worthwhile to attend. By bringing together people that are interested in this issue, but do not normally have a venue to meet and discuss, possibilities are revealed.

There is much work to be done in Victoria in setting up the business association; however the learning circles initiated the process.

Next Steps

As of this Report, the participants in the two Victoria Learning Circles on urban Aboriginal Economic Development have agreed to meet again, and to actively pursue the idea of a business support group for Aboriginal entrepreneurs in Victoria area. A Chinook name has been suggested, and another meeting is being organized.