Indigenous Prosperity Gathering

The inaugural South Island Indigenous Prosperity Gathering 2019 brought together Indigenous leadership to explore the economic development priorities of the 10 First Nations on the South Island. The event was aimed at identifying opportunities for collaboration and decision making on key actions to move forward. The event was invitation only.

In this inaugural gathering, First Nations representatives joined together in dialogue around what’s working, what needs to be done, and how to explore collaborative projects that might benefit multiple nations through equity, revenue-sharing and jobs.

SIPP invited Indigenous leadership representing the South Island First Nations to participate in the dialogue. In addition to senior leadership, Elders, youth, and key staff were encouraged to participate. Non-Indigenous partners were invited to join certain elements of the agenda, and allies and advisers from the South Island’s leading financial institutions were on-site to offer expertise and to help find clarity within the financial sphere.

There is a glaring economic disparity between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the region. SIPP and its partners believe that equality can only be achieved through collaboration. For this to be successful, the direction from the region’s Indigenous leadership is essential. As a regional convener of like-minded partners, SIPP is working alongside the Lekwungen and WSÁNEĆ Nations, and Pacheedaht Nation, to learn from their wisdom, goals, and aspirations, directly related to their economic development initiatives.

The South Island Indigenous Prosperity Gathering 2019 was deemed a success and SIPP is currently in the process of developing a quarterly set of Prosperity Gatherings as a part of our 2020 year.

For more information on this or future Prosperity Gatherings, please contact office@southislandprosperity.ca