Work Plan
UNION OF NOVA SCOTIA INDIANS
March 25, 2014
The following is a proposed Work Plan for Economic Development for Union of Nova Scotia Indians
Introduction:
Union of Nova Scotia Indian (UNSI) economic development advisory program was one of the 5 core advisory services provided to the 6 First Nation bands. This was done by the terms of reference of the economic development advisor (eda). Due to re-structuring of this position, the Econ. Dev. advisory service will be no longer required. The economic development advisor position will be re-structured as an economic development officer with an EDO job description. The economic development officer will focus his work on building capacity on the 6 affiliated first nation bands, in business development, land tenure, and smart business tools for development and growth of the businesses on UNSI affiliated bands.
Objective(s):
· To strengthen business knowledge and build capacity using solid business principles within the Communities focused on the EDOs and NEOs
· To increase knowledge base to share best business practices
· To build capacity to increase community participation in entrepreneurship ventures
Scope:
The EDO will provide support services to community EDOs, and NEOs and to enterprising entrepreneurs and business minded people in developing partnerships, joint ventures and in finding financing for business ventures.
A needs analysis would be beneficial to complete as the first stage in order to identify what is required in each Community in terms of capacity building, trends, economic development, partnership etc…
This Proposed Work Plan is based on a start date of April 1, 2014. Dates and start time can be adjusted, if required. The following is meant to be a draft guide only and is subject to change.
Union of Nova Scotia Indians-Economic Development
OBJECTIVE / ACTIVITY DETAIL / Required Resources / Responsibility / date / Budget / Desired OutcomesGoal 1: Capacity Development
A. Completion of a Needs Assessment with EDOs and NEOs / § Develop a questionnaire to interview EDOs and NEOs to identify needs / § Survey expert for advice and assistance / Louis Joe / April 2014 / NA / Identify what each community wants to achieve in terms of economic development and the requirements to achieve those goals and objectives
Identify how UNSI can support in achieving these goals and objectives
§ Identify and interview EDOs and NEOs to gather baseline data to identify what each EDO has in terms of training and support services
§ Identify what each may want / need
§ Identify what each community economic development strategic plans[1] are to support and provide assistance and link to the Chief’s strategy and each community strategy (as applicable)
§ Identify what Community businesses may require (band owned)
§ Identify community entrepreneur requirements / § EDO and NEO support / Louis Joe / May – June 2014 / NA
OBJECTIVE / ACTIVITY DETAIL / Required Resources / Responsibility / date / Budget / Desired Outcomes
Goal 1: Capacity Development
A. Completion of a Needs Assessment with EDOs and NEOs continued… / § Interviews by phone and email / § EDO and NEO support / Louis Joe / May – June 2014 / NA / See previous page
§ Compiling results and identifying areas to assist with needs of EDOs and NEOs
§ Creating a go forward action plan for support / NA / Louis Joe / July – August 2014 / NA
B. Implementation and facilitation of capacity building (Education and Skill development and enhancement) for EDOs, NEOs and community entrepreneurs / § Implement action plan as outlined from needs assessment (Example: Training programs, partnership support)
§ Examples of training can include, but are not limited to:
§ First Nations Taxation (NCFNG)
§ Off-Reserve development
§ Partnership Development
§ Joint Ventures
§ Investment Opportunities
§ Proposal and Grant writing
§ Develop a timeline work plan for this implementation for 2014/15 and 2015/16 / Engage partners as required (Example: NCFNG for Training or partnership development) / Louis Joe / September – March 2015
April 2015 +
Workshops held quarterly / Training programs
$12,500
for 2014
(2 programs)
$25,000 annually thereafter
(4 programs) / Training and development will be linked to community needs as well as industry needs
Training, education and skill development will assist in moving each community forward for continued success
OBJECTIVE / ACTIVITY DETAIL / Required Resources / Responsibility / date / Budget / Desired Outcomes
Goal 2: Support EDOs and NEOs to achieve strategic planning goals
A. Support operational and action planning / § Work with each EDO and NEO in the development of the annual operational and action planning
§ Identify areas where UNSI can support these plans
§ Work with each community to identify how the 2011/2012 Leakage Study results can be incorporated into economic and employment planning / § EDO and NEO support
§ Travel to Each community
§ Engage partners if required / Louis Joe / April – June 2014
January – February 2015
(in preparation for 2015/16) / Travel Budget
$$ / Identify what each community wants to achieve in terms of economic development and the requirements to achieve those goals and objectives
Identify how UNSI can support in achieving these goals and objectives
Link plans to the Chiefs strategy and to the respective strategies and goals of each community
§ Identify industry and regional trends beneficial for each community
§ Share trends and adjust planning with communities required / § Industry Partners
§ Industry Reports
§ Economic Indicators / Louis Joe / Ongoing
Union of Nova Scotia Indians-Economic Development
OBJECTIVE / ACTIVITY DETAIL / Required Resources / Responsibility / date / Budget / Desired OutcomesGoal 2: Support EDOs and NEOs to achieve strategic planning goals
B. Partnership Development / § Work with each EDO and NEO in the development of partnerships both economic and employment related
§ Assist with capacity development in this area, where required
§ Leverage various Committees, as required (Example AAEDN, ARLMA etc…) to assist with planning and partnership development / § EDO and NEO support
§ Travel to Each community
§ Engage partners as required / Louis Joe / Ongoing / Travel Budget
$$ / Identify what each community wants to achieve in terms of economic development and the requirements to achieve those goals and objectives
Identify how UNSI can support in achieving these goals and objectives
§ Liaise with various partners and government departments to identify areas of benefit for each community / § Engage partners as required / Louis Joe / Ongoing / Travel Budget
$$
C. Represent UNSI on various committees / § Support each EDO and NEO with knowledge gained and knowledge shared in committees
§ Identify industry and regional trends beneficial for each community
§ Share trends and adjust planning with communities required
§ Committees include:
§ AAEDN, ARLMA
§ Trirpartite Forum Economic Development Working Committee
§ Maritime Northeast pipeline Advisory Committee
§ Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Board
§ Aboriginal Participation in the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy / § Engage partners as required / Louis Joe / Ongoing / Travel Budget
$$ / Support communities through knowledge gained in each committee to work with communities to leverage the details where required
At a May 15th, 2014 mtg, Co-lead for Pillar #2, Owen Fitzgerald reported that, the new amalgamated workplan is focused on three main priority areas. These priority areas were identified by the subcommittee at the April 24, 2014 meeting- all previous Pillar #2/#3 workplan priorities/activities
Fit into one of the newly identified priorities for the new Pillar #2 workplan.
Through our meetings, five main priorities as a result of the baseline information gathered and analyzed include:
(1 Capacity (2 Planning (3 Partnership Development (4 Lands and Assets).
With this priorities five goals have been established:
(1 Identify economic readiness- self-evaluation of community based on definition of success, where you are now, versus where you want to be in the future.
(2 Partnership, promotion and Nation building- to build on the understanding of Nationhood, evaluate and understand the benefits of partnership, develop supporting tools to assist in evaluating potential partners.
(3 Build strategic relationships- Build on the understanding of nationhood linking it from community to Nation
(4 Link Economic Development to training and employment-build on employment relationships, create a plan to address transition needs, develop mentorship programs, increase on and initiate skills and partnership agreements.
and
(5 Asset development as a Nation-develop the people, lands and physical assets.
On the April Assembly Meeting: The strategy was tabled due to loss of quorum
On May 23-Assembly Meeting-Presentation on the Strategy for endorsement/approval of proposed governance structure and support for implementation proposal. Chiefs sent back to Benefits Committee for full review of proposal and workplan.
On May 29 and 30th-Tripartite Forum AGA-Presentation on Strategy and discussion with over 60 participants from 7 working committees on Strategy, success and communications.
On June 16th- Benefits Committee full review of Strategy implementation proposal, workplan and Encana funding request.
On June 19th- Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs ( Assembly) meeting with recommendation from Benefits Committee for discussion/endorsement.
Implementation of the Strategy:
Governance- the size and scope of the Strategy warrants substantial work and support to communities to be successful. The idea of governance is looking at efficiency, and not a duplication of services, keeping costs in line and using existing organizations to assist I the implementation of the strategy.
Executive Manager- The Manager would be hired to oversee the entire implementation process working with EDO’s, communities, Chief and Councils, aboriginal organizations, tribal councils and government for support.
Mawi’lukuti’k Executive Implementation Committee- The Executive implementation Committee shall work closely with the Manager to implement the strategy and it’s associated activities and maintain an evaluation framework for the work being done.
The committee is anticipated to meet on a bi-monthly basis to carry out the work of the NSMNEDS.
The committee would include key stakeholders within the province to ensure communication, collaboration and involvement of all thirteen First Nations including UDG, CMM, Econ. Dev. Advisor for UNSI and CMM and METS.
Advisory Board-Tripartite Forum Economic Development Working committee- TFEDWC provides a strong representation of federal and provincial government, Aboriginal organization as well as First Nation Communities. The main function of the TFEDWC with regard to the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Nation Economic Development Strategy is an advisory role providing support to the Executive Implementation Committee and the Executive Manager with associated activities and projects within the yearly workplan. Major funding partners are represented at this table that provides ease of access to discuss activities and potential projects for funding sources. The TFEDWC meets on a quarterly basis and all associated costs are covered through regular TFEDWC activities during regular meetings.
The Nova Scotia Committee on Aboriginal Participation in the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy:
Had two meetings, April 24, 2014 and May 15th, 2014.
Anna Marenick noted that it is critical to have access to a current inventory/database of information such as names, contact information, resumes, and e-mails. There is an intensive hiring process with very tight timeline once a short term immediate need is identified. The Irving Shipbuilding Inc. hiring process involves, for example, an employee divulging information such as last five years of living history, and employment history-there is opportunity to provide this information to potential cndidates in preparation for the hiring process. Anna also noted that it is important for people to know that Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is taking to engage the aboriginal labour force, but, there remain challenges due to existing barriers. She encouraged the aboriginal stakeholders around the table to communicate that so people can prepare, and she is depending on the communication networks of those around the table to relay that information to the communities. Anna also noted that she needs to know who to call to get the Aboriginal labour information as soon as it is needed.
Economic Readiness Summit
Member of the Planning Committee to hold an Economic Readiness Summit at Membertou First Nation, this brought a large number of participants to attend and discuss path to economic interdependence to achieve sustainability on First Nation communities.
Union of Nova Scotia Indians-Economic Development
[1] Additional plans could include Governance Plan, Community plan, Economic and Employment annual work plans