Green energy and Aboriginal business, best of both worlds.

AuthorGladu, J.P.
PositionABORIGINAL BUSINESS

Today, Aboriginal business is waking up from a long forced hiatus through the efforts of organizations such as The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).

The organization was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada's economy.

In fostering economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada, CCAB, essentially works as a bridge between corporate Canada and Aboriginal business Canada.

Aboriginal self-employment is on the rise.

According to the 2006 Census, there are more than 37,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis persons in Canada who have their own businesses, a significant increase of 85 percent since 1996.

Green energy businesses and projects are playing their part in the Aboriginal economy, whether through large energy developments such as the Lower Mattagami redevelopment--a joint venture between Ontario Power Generation and Moose Cree First Nation. The passing of the 2009 Renewable Energy Act incentive enabled Aboriginal businesses and communities to participate in the renewable energy sector.

Manitoulin Island's M'Chigeeng First Nation's Mother Earth Renewable Energy project (MERE) wind farm is the first independently 100 per cent First Nations-owned wind farm in Ontario, a feat not a lot of renewable energy participants have been able to do on their own as most have partnered to meet the demands of the sector.

The sector has taken off and industry partners have figured out how to work within the Green Energy and Green Economy Act.

Aboriginal businesses and communities have significant resource and labour challenges as they navigate the mine field of bureaucracy.

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program is an important component. The provincial government program purchases green energy at a fixed price for a fixed period of time (10 or 15 years).

The program has an Aboriginal set aside' that encourages solar and wind power companies to work with Aboriginal businesses and communities.

FIT has had a major impact on Aboriginal economic development corporations (EDCs) in Ontario, These EDCs are community-owned businesses run as a for-profit corporation at arm's length from Chief and council.

Aboriginal community members are generally the shareholders and ultimate beneficiaries of EDC success.

Aboriginal businesses and communities need capacity from human resources to much-needed funding to pay for additional...

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