Nation Building Through Lands Management: Application of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development to Canada

Michelle White-Wilsdon

doi:10.29173/jaed294

Authors

Michelle White-Wilsdon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/jaed294

Keywords:

Accountability, American Indians, Best practice, Business And Economics, Decision making, Economic development, Ethnic Interests, Indigenous peoples, Land use planning, Nation building, Native North Americans, Policy making, Sovereignty

Abstract

The research findings of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the principles of Nation Building arising from the Harvard project have been central to the progression of new policy on Aboriginal Economic Development. However, key differences exist between American Indian Tribes and Canadian First Nations that warrant concern about the appropriateness of using American-based research findings as the basis of policy development for Aboriginal people in Canada. This paper demonstrates that the Harvard principles can be extrapolated into a Canadian context through an analysis of the statutory requirements under the First Nations Lands Management Act and a comparison to the Nation Building Model as defined by the Harvard Project. This article will also recommend specific research activities that will test the effectiveness of the Nation Building Model in Canada (1) to ensure that responsible policies are based on Canadian-based research, and (2) to strengthen the business case for increased financial investment by the Government of Canada to support best practices in First Nations lands management and economic development.

References

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