Council Releases Indigenous Partnership Best Practices Report

(HALIFAX NS - January 15, 2025) The Atlantic Economic Council today released a report in collaboration with Chief Terrance Paul (Chief and CEO of Membertou) and McInnes Cooper on best practices in fostering partnerships with Atlantic Canada’s Indigenous communities. 

Estimating the Indigenous economy in Atlantic Canada is valued at $4 billion, the Council engaged Chief Paul, and James Gogan and Jeffrey Callaghan from McInnes Cooper, to answer questions and provide their views on the pathway to achieve effective Indigenous partnerships.

Aimed to help non-Indigenous organizations understand the importance of partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities, the report provides practical suggestions and insights useful for decision and policy makers, entrepreneurs and any businesses interested in understanding effective collaboration and partnership. 

The report is available here: https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/page/IndigenousPartnershipsJan2025

Quotes:

“Indigenous communities have really evolved from being forced to be by-standers and spectators to economic development, to recipients of the legal ‘duty to consult’, to their current role as deep participants in the Atlantic Canadian economy.”

- McInnes Cooper

“When non-Indigenous business works with Indigenous  communities, everyone wins. Traditionally, our people have been resourceful, resilient, and community-minded. We’ve kept those values and bring them to each partnership we create.”

- Chief Terrance Paul, Chief & CEO of Membertou


“Indigenous communities and businesses create positive impacts for Atlantic Canada. There’s vast potential for growth through partnerships with non-Indigenous businesses to share innovation, resources, skills and perspectives. 

- Fred Bergman, Senior Policy Analyst, Atlantic Economic Council

The Atlantic Economic Council is the independent, non-profit economic and policy research organization for Atlantic Canada that provides insights and ideas that promote a healthy, inclusive and sustainable economy for the region, including a series of research reports on Indigenous businesses and communities here: https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/page/IndigenousResearchLandingPage

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Media Contact:  
Erin Esiyok
(902) 701-2789
erin@atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca