Economy needs Indigenous people and perspectives
First Nations business leader Carol Anne Hilton spoke on the Indigenous perspective and solutions at the UBC Climate Economy Summit Thursday. Photo by Rochelle Baker / Canada's National Observer
By Rochelle Baker
Indigenous communities are leading Canada's clean energy boom, "and doing that with a slanted table," says a First Nations business leader working to build a successful climate economy that incorporates Indigenous Peoples and their world views.
Within one generation of reclaiming a seat at the economic table, Indigenous Peoples are driving key outcomes in the national economy and climate action, Carol Anne Hilton, CEO of the Indigenomics Institute, told business experts, academics and government leaders gathered at the University of British Columbia last week.
Indigenous businesses or companies co-own or lead 20 per cent of Canada's electric infrastructure, and are the largest asset owners outside of utility corporations, she noted.
Yet Indigenous people still lack influence over policy, access to capital and the building and design of Indigenous project development and have little sway over investment structures.