When people hear “economic development,” they often picture simple business deals, revenue models, and corporate balance sheets. But for First Nations, it represents something far deeper: land stewardship, community health, youth opportunities, and true self-determination. On this episode of The Tewanee Joseph Show, hosts Tewanee and Koru Joseph unpack the multi-billion-dollar Indigenous economy—exploring how First Nations across Canada, particularly in British Columbia, are moving beyond the traditional “duty to consult” to become primary owners, key decision-makers, and long-term partners in the national economic landscape.
Welcome to the Tewanee Joseph Show. I’m Tewanee Joseph, and this is a place where this week we’ll have a real conversation about leadership, community, culture, and the future of building our future together. And I’m Koru Joseph. Today’s topic is a big one First Nations economic development. What does that actually mean? Why does it matter? And how are nations building prosperity in ways that will still reflect who they are?
Yeah, when people hear economic development, they might think it’s just business deals or revenue. But for First Nations, it’s much bigger than that. It’s land, it’s governance, it’s young people, it’s housing, it’s clean energy, things like tourism, real estate, it’s really self determination. it’s also a numbers conversation. People ask, how much is First Nations economy worth in Canada? And the short answer is it’s already huge.
It’s growing and a lot of people don’t fully understand how important it is. Well, let’s start with the basic question then, Koru. When we say economic development, are we really talking about? Right. Because it’s not just how much money did the project make. It’s also did it create jobs? Did it support families? Did it help the nation invest in housing, language, culture, health, or infrastructure? Yeah, exactly. And for First Nations, economic development is often about,
Creating choices. It’s about, you know, things like own source revenue. So creating your own revenue streams within the nation, things like training opportunities and also making decisions that are rooted in community values and where we come from and who we are. and we should also say this clearly. Indigenous economies didn’t s suddenly appear recently. Indigenous peoples have always had economies, trade routes, governance.
Fisheries, harvesting, stewardship, diplomacy, and exchange. That history matters. Yeah, when we really think about it, you know, what’s changing now is the scale and and really the control, Koro. More nations are using development corporations, limited partnerships, trust, procurement strategies, and also.
When it comes to like equity ownership is also important to build wealth, and that stays connected to the community. And that’s really like a long term approach to business.
So let’s get into the number. And you mentioned it earlier, Koru, because this is where people usually lean in. How much is the indigenous economy worth every year in Canada? We’ve done a bit of research around this. And the answer kind of depends a little bit on what you’re measuring, right? Yeah, exactly. one community cited estimate puts the indigenous contribution to Canada’s gross domestic income at about $56 billion.
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board, which has also reported Indigenous GDP growth from forty-seven or sorry, actually forty-one point seven billion in twenty twelve to fifty-four point one billion in twenty nineteen, and the broader Indigenous output measures reaching around ninety seven billion by twenty twenty. So whether we’re talking about income, GDP outputs, jobs, or indigenous owned businesses, the direction is clear.
This economy is already worth tens of billions of dollars a year. And that’s not standing still, really. When we really think about it, income, you know, things like that, you know, some leaders talk about the potential for, you know, over a hundred billion dollars in the indigenous economy. And that’s not just, you know, nice headline. It’s, you know, a signal that indigenous economic development is becoming central to Canada’s future. And really, when you think about it, I mean, we’re talking like not only just casinos or
or you know, strata-titling, we’re talking about airlines, we’re talking about, you know, retail operations and many, many other things as well. So what’s behind the growth? Why are we seeing this momentum now? Well I think a few things. You know, one of one is demographics. Indigenous population, I don’t know if people know this, but our y you know, young people, it’s it’s actually growing. And
That matters when it comes to workforce, entrepreneurship, trades, technology, leadership, you know, really all of it. And I think that’s something that people really don’t really think about a lot. Like the indigenous population is a young growing population in Canada. And I would say another piece is governance. When nations have strong governance, clear decision making, and professional business structures, they can plan for long term instead of just reacting project by project.
Yeah, that’s right. That’s exactly right. And, you know, then there’s the land. Across the country, First Nations are looking at equity ownership, revenue sharing, clean energy, resource projects, infrastructure, and real estate. You know, the I mentioned it earlier, some of the other things as well, but really the conversation is shifting from where we consulted, which when I was growing up in a young politician in the 90s, that was really a big question whenever major projects were happening, you know, in our communities.
To, you know, are we owners? You know, are we partners? And that’s a big partnership, you know, thing, a big question that has really come to the forefront over the years. And and are we decision makers? And that’s a big part of it. So rather than, you know, the old days core was, you know, were we consulted and major projects were happening within our, you know, traditional and unceded territories to now, you know, are we partners and are we decision makers in our own lands? You know, actually, could you speak a little bit more about that, you know, from when you were on council?
And you know, kind of watching this First Nations economy develop. What do you think were some key kind of things that we did to build this the way we have? Well, one of the things that was important was the Delgamuukw decision in the 1980s. It was actually once you got into the 80s, an interpretation started to happen on the court decision that happened in terms of right traditional rights and title. So traditional rights and title is like our hunching and trapping grounds.
you know, where we’d hunt and trap because we’re semi-nomadic people. So we’re moving from place to place. So what would happen, Koru is that you know, big major projects, whether they’re hydro dams to large scale projects that, you know, infrastructure projects that were happening in our territories, the Delgamouth decision really helped support the duty to consult. And duty to consult meaning that First Nations didn’t really have, you know, full what they call veto power over it.
But also what it did was it actually anything that was happening within our traditional territories is that our council and councils throughout British Columbia and and across Canada started to talk about what kind of business opportunities were there, procurement, you know, in terms of businesses that we owned or some of our individual members owned. So that decision was really big in in, you know, the duty consult. And when I think about, you know, some of the projects that I worked on, like the Olympics, that was really a rights and title based
approach to it because it was, you know, millions of dollars in legacies that were going into infrastructure in in Vancouver, Whistler, and in the province of BC. But at the same time, that was a big shift. So since then, you know, the duty to consult has really tr translated into UNDRIP and DRIPA here in British Columbia, which is you know, legislation, which is laws. But that was the big shift. And what I’ve seen more and more happening is that
All projects and non-Indigenous businesses are approaching nations within their territories and saying, you know, how can we do business? How can we provide services? How can we provide products? You know, whether it’s, you know, bottled water to being able to, you know, do trailblazing, you know, within the territories for major projects and such. And that’s where you get things like, you know, the LNG projects and and many others. Well, let me ask you this. After watching, you know, our economy and
You know, our First Nations development grow over the past couple of decades. Where do you where do you see us growing to or where do you see this evolving to over the next ten, twenty, thirty years? I really see a lot of First Nations, which they’re doing the right thing, is is really starting to set up, you know, development corporations. So they’re they’re set up to do business. And a lot of First Nations, rather than, you know, kind of standing on the outside.
saying, hey, we should be consulted and having conversations to actually doing and saying we have X amount of businesses within our communities, but also we have partnerships too with non-Indigenous businesses. So what I see is that there’s going to be more real estate opportunities for First Nations you know, within their territories. So they’ll become more developers. I mean, now they’re casino owners to, you know, owning airlines. I see more integration and when you know the the number that we talked about earlier of of over
hundred billion dollars a year in investment and and economic activity with indigenous peoples. We’re net contributors to to Canada. So, you know, the old days core was, you know, we were having troubles just getting programming dollars from the federal government, you know, to run things like health and education and recreation. To now we’re providing out of, you know, many First Nations, out of every dollar that they’re spending, you know, most of that, you know, seventy five cents or
90 cents out of every dollar is actually raised through own source revenue. So I see it as a lot more integration that’s happening over the next 10 years and the next 20 years. I see a full integration of businesses and partnerships that are going to be helping develop, you know, strata projects, major projects, you know, around. But also when it comes to, you know, retail and those types of things as well, those are important things because our our population here, this, you know, 200
Or so First Nations in British Columbia over six hundred across the country, then you got Inuit population and Metis population. So that’s how I see it and that’s where I see us going into the future.
So, you know, Koru, when we hear people talk about First Nations economic development, what do you think they sometimes miss? I think they sometimes miss the human side. They hear about a development corporation or land deal and they think it’s just business. But behind that, there are families, youth, elders, language programs, housing, and community goals. Because at the end of the day, we’re a community. So
Everything, every decision that’s made is there to provide and to better each community. You know, that’s such an important point when we when we talk about a project might look like real estate from the outside, but from the community side, it might mean jobs, it might mean scholarships, training, or revenue to support programs and services within the community. So it’s really a a whole communal kind of approach to to economic development and business as well, because
You know, if people have jobs and they can go to work, they’re gonna feed their family, they’re gonna rely less on programs and services from a government nation perspective, then you can talk about things like prevention rather than you know, the health industry is really, at its max these days with many of the issues that we face. But prevention, I think, is a really important piece, like investing into community parks, community recreation infrastructures, programs, you know, for health and wellness and fitness and music.
So now you’re starting we’re starting to think, like you said, like it’s the human aspect part of it. And I I feel like people also underestimate how long this work takes. The public might only see, you know, an announcement, but behind the scenes, this could be years of planning, environmental review, financing, negotiations, zoning, and community engagement. Exactly. And
And nations are doing all of those while still dealing with the old systems, you know, limited infrastructure, you know, having paved roads, even in some First Nations in this day, you know, having clean water and paved roads when you get into the northern part of Canada with First Nations there, they’re still facing those. So, you know, infrastructure barriers to to many others that were created, you know, over the years. And these projects, you know, when these projects succeed, the ones that we’re talking about today.
It says a lot about the vision, but I think, you know, the word I think of is more like resilience because you have to, not only deal with where we’ve come from, but also look towards where we’re going. And as we s mentioned earlier, you know, the indigenous population is very young. So how do you how do you keep some of those young people at home within the communities as well? So you need to create businesses, you know, opportunities for them because if they leave and you know, remote communities, more r rural and remote communities.
and they don’t come back, then you don’t have the, you know, the money multiplier effect, you know, the economic multiplier effect where, you know, you you buy clothes, you buy, you know, kind of goods and services within the community and support community.
So if we had to you know, land the first half of this section, I would say this that Indigenous community in Canada is already a major force. It’s worth tens of billions of dollars annually. And the the growth is real. But the number is only one part of the story. The bigger story is about nations building prosperities in ways that reflect their own laws, values, priorities, and responsibilities. Exactly.
And when we’re, you know, when we’re going to bring things closer to home, you know, let’s talk about, you know, the First Nations leadership in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, including land development, real estate, you know, development corporations partnership is an indigenous led prosperity. Stay with us. You’re listening to the Tewanee Joseph Show. And now for some incredible indigenous music.
Welcome back. In the first half we looked at the national picture. Now let’s bring it home to the lower mainland in Vancouver Island, because this region really is one of the key places to watch. Absolutely. We’re seeing nations move beyond being consulted at the end of a process. They’re becoming owners, partners, builders, planners, and long term investors.
And they’re doing it in one of the most competitive regions in the country, especially when we’re talking about land, housing, infrastructure and and things like real estate. The lower mainland, you know, people often point to Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh as major leaders in this economic development. Together, MST Development Corporation, they’ve become major landowners and development partners in Metro Vancouver. And what’s powerful about MST is that it shows what can happen when nations work together.
It’s unity, it’s about strategy. It’s not just about buying land and flipping it. It’s about holding assets, shaping the future, and creating wealth for generations. You know, when we think about the MST Development Corporation, one of the things we talked earlier in the first half of this episode, Koru, was about rights and title. And the Olympic Games was a big catalyst for, you know, not only rights and title.
in terms of like major events and international events happening within our traditional territory. But what happened after that was that the nations, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh signed a protocol agreement in I think it was around 2011. And that protocol agreement was really focused around economic development. And that’s when they started to purchase land and be able to start to develop, which they’re doing right now in the lower mainland, in particular in the Vancouver area.
And what’s happened is it’s because of the partnership in the twenty ten Olympic and Paralympic Games that the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh have continued to work together. Had it been not for the Olympic Games, I don’t think MST Development Corporation might have, you know, formed as quickly. But it’s one of the true legacies which we will be worth, you know, in the billions of dollars of development over the next, you know, 20 years, 20 to 30 years. You know, when we talk about Musqueam development,
you know, is a good example as a major master plan community. It shows, you know, how housing, retail planning and long term revenue can connect to nation led development.
And then there’s Squamish Nations Seńáḵw project near downtown Vancouver, which has really changed the conversation around housing, reserve lands, and indigenous economic power in an urban context. It’s one of the biggest in this country as well. And, you know, we also think about Tsleil-Waututh has also built strength through land development partnerships, you know, cultural tourism, environmental stewardship, and long-term planning. So you’re seeing a broader pattern here really starting to develop. Right. These nations aren’t just
participating in the regional economy, they’re shaping it. they’re showing what it looks like when First Nations are owners and decision makers, not just stakeholders. Yeah. And that’s just the lower mainland. And let’s let’s talk a little about, you know, on Vancouver Island. The story is just as important, but it can look different depending on the nation and the territory. Yeah. And that’s important. Leadership doesn’t always have to look the same.
On Southern Vancouver Island, nations such as Yeah, there’s Songhees Esquimalt Tsartlip you know, Tsawout Sahhacum know, even Pauquachin And when we also talk about some of the other nations, core, you know, on the Malahat, like T’Sou-ke and Cowichan tribes, and also the Snuneymuxw First Nation, which is part of a growing conversation about indigenous led prosperity. You know, they’ve purchased a number of casinos. They’re doing developments on Vancouver Island.
So they’re really growing as a nation, as well as the other nations that we we talked about earlier, and that prosperity can show up in a lot of ways. It’s land use, things like tourism, clean energy, housing, entrepreneur, like we talked about earlier, entrepreneurship, marine industries, forestries, fisheries, construction, and business partnerships. So it’s really just the broad breadth and the depth of everything. The Indigenous Prosperity Center is also worth mentioning because it
supports itself directed economic visions through southern Vancouver Island. It helps create space for collaboration, planning, and partnerships that are led by indigenous priorities. And that’s that’s really key. You know, economic development isn’t a copy and paste model per se. One nation may focus on land development, another may focus on tourism, fisheries, cultural enterprise, renewable energy.
Our partnerships with municipalities and industry, you know, I think we talked about the lower mainland, but also we focus on Vancouver. But you know, the Stalo Nation is doing a lot in terms of third developments out there as well and using, you know, the Fiscal Management Act and the Land Code to to develop using tools, you know, First Nations, you know, laws to help them as they kind of develop economically as well. And development corporations are really becoming an important tool in all of this.
They let nations manage business opportunities professionally while keeping the benefits tied to community goals.
Tewanee, when we call a nation leader in economic development, what does that actually mean? What should people be looking for?
Yeah, think it starts with with governance. Does the nation have structures to make good, solid, long term decisions? Then I think and I look at the community benefit. Are there jobs, are there training, opportunities, youth pathways, reinvestment back into the nation? Those types of things really. And are the partnerships real? Well, exactly. Is the nation being, you know, treated as an owner or decision, you know, and a decision maker, or just
brought in after the fact. That’s a big difference. And that’s something that, you know, I when I talked earlier about, you know, the transition from a Delgamuukw decision around rights and title and and duty to consult. And I think that what I’ve seen in in working all over British Columbia and Canada and even internationally, you know, some businesses that come into our territories, you know, have a maybe an older, more cavalier approach to things where it’s like, this is the way we do it.
But in reality, it’s getting to know the First Nations. That’s one of the questions I get asked very often is how do we develop relationships or how do we do business with First Nations? Really, it starts with the conversation. And I think that’s so important. And I would add values too. A strong economic plan still has to reflect the culture, the land, and responsibilities to the next generation. Yeah, absolutely. And and leadership takes courage. It really does. it’s tough to be
You know, a counselor in a community. I I served eight years on on on my council at the Squamish Nation. it was I would say it was the the toughest, some of the toughest years of my life, but it also taught me the most. And, you know, these are these are complex markets that we’re living in right now. Look at what’s happening around the world. There’s there’s so many things happening with tariffs and all these kinds of things that are happening. and other things, you know, you know, wars and and such. But you know, there’s risk in business, that’s the thing. And
And there are negotiations, there’s public pressure and nations still doing the work and staying accountable to their people is also the most important because, you know, I was taught by some of the great leaders like Chetal Conham and you know, Cockleton Cum and others, my Uncle Byron and Uncle Dennis, you know, that our our people and our communities will always make the right choice. And what we have to do is do an incredible job of becoming great listeners, but also communicating the vision.
To the community as well, and then helping them understand how they fit into it. So for anyone listening, whether you’re in business, government, education, or community leadership, this isn’t something happening off to the side. First Nations economic development is happening now and it’s shaping the future of this country. Yeah, really, you know, Koru, it if you’re a business leader, ask yourself, are we building real partnerships with First Nations?
Are we changing procurement? Are we making space for equity ownership? Are we listening early enough? And are we preparing to share decision making? Those are the main questions that I think are are important when you want to do business with First Nations. And if you’re a young indigenous person listening, this is absolutely a place for you in this economy: finance, trades, law, planning, communications, culture, and engineering. And other things like lands,
Governance and entrepreneurship, as we we talked about earlier, all of it matters. And for community leaders, keep building. You know, the numbers show strength, the stories show resilience, and the future can be transformative if prosperity is self-determinate and rooted in the land. And those are some of the important things that I’ve learned over the years.
This has been the Tewanee Joseph Show, co hosted by Koru Joseph. Today we talked about First Nations economic development, the annual value of indigenous economy in Canada, and leadership here in the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island.
Thanks for listening. Keep the conversation going, keep building relationships, and keep investing into the future where prosperity is shared, self-determined, and grounded in who we are. But most of all, it’s all of us together in Vancouver, in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, and in Canada. We can make a better place if we do it together. I’m a big believer in that. So Koru, thanks for co hosting with me again this week and now for some incredible indigenous music.
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