Grande Prairie, AB – (March 16, 2012) Métis citizens and businesses gathered with industry and government representatives in Grande Prairie for the Métis Nation Economic Development Summit 2012. This two-day Summit, hosted by the Métis National Council in conjunction with both Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia was a crucial step towards solidifying the position of Métis businesses and entrepreneurs in the Canadian economic landscape.
Over the course of the two-day Summit, presentations and panel discussions focused on a variety of topics including partnerships, Métis procurement from the private and public sector perspectives, the Northern Gateway labour market opportunities, Métis Rights & traditional land use and access to capital.
Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras says the Métis Nation is in economic development mode and it is no coincidence that we are meeting in one of Canada’s most industrious regions. “We are here to network, connect with industry and to help our communities identify ways they can participate in economic and resource development. The Métis Nation of Alberta has a vision for a better future for our children, a better life for our elders and for all Métis people in this Province.”
“This Summit highlights the best of the Métis Nation and the direction that we are moving in,” explained Métis Nation British Columbia President Bruce Dumont. “The Métis have a very strong entrepreneurial tradition and over the past two days we, as a people, have come together to ensure that Métis entrepreneurs have opportunity to engage in these big development projects that are happening in our backyard.”
This Summit is the second within the Métis Nation Homeland in a series of five to be held by 2013 and will culminate at a Roundtable in Calgary that will result in the development of a Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy that will contribute to economic opportunities moving forward.
“The Métis Nation has been engaging with private industry to identify who they should be working with moving forward, based on the credentials and innovation of the hundreds of Métis-owned businesses that exist across our Homeland,” explained Métis National Council President Clément Chartier. “We have ensured that industry players have had a place at this Summit to explain where their labour gaps exist and what is currently front-of-mind for them right now. The Métis Nation is carving out its place in the economy and I am very proud of this.”
The next Métis Nation Economic Development event is set to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 25 & 26, 2012 and will focus on bringing together Métis-owned businesses and industry together in that region. More information can be found on the 2012 Métis Procurement Conference at www.metisnation.ca.
Please visit our Economic Development Portal to access the presentations.
Watch highlights from the summit here
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