Make no little plans, my son.

• Author: Robinson, David
• Position: ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING

As an economist, I often get calls from the media about national and provincial issues. As an economist who studies economic development in Northern Ontario, I don't get many calls. Most of those are asking for a speaker and almost none want my advice on economic development. I have only had a few calls from First Nation communities. I'd like to think I know something about development, so why am I left sitting in a corner sad and lonely?

It could be because everyone knows that academics, including me, are pretty useless. I'd hate to think so, but it could be. It could be the economic development people in Northern Ontario are so good they don't need academic advice. It could be that the province is doing such a good job that that no one needs independent research and advice from the ivory tower.

My guess is that that because Northern universities have never focused on economic development issues for the North, media people and economic development officers simply don't think about heading to the campus for help. The exception is the Community Economic and Social Development program at Algoma University. More recently, Laurentian University has established a new School of Northern Development that will do research and provide courses on Northern Ontario development. Things are getting better, however slowly.

Meanwhile, if you want a course in economic development you go to Waterloo. Not exactly a hotbed of specialists in Northern development, but very nice people. If you want a professional development certificate as an economic development officer, you contact the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDAC). If you are working with First Nations, you go to the Council for the Advancement of Native Development officers (CANDO). The Akwesasne Economic Development Agency also offers training, education and employment to First Nations people involved in economic development.

First Nation communities are especially concerned about economic development. The Union of Ontario Indians, based in North Bay, has developed an economic blueprint. In the Northwest, where players are circling around the Ring of Fire, the Matawa Chiefs Council offers economic development advisory services to the communities it serves. Some communities have economic development officers of their...