Through my columns, I like to tell Indigenous stories and highlight Indigenous initiatives and successes that I think can reshape how Indigenous communities and Indigenous people are viewed. How we view something initially can really shape our perceptions.
One person who is doing a fantastic job of this is Carol Anne Hilton, founder of Indigenomics Institute. The Indigenomics Institute works with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, governments and the private sector offering guidance and advising on Indigenous economics, or Indigenomics. Hilton is Nuu-Chah-Nulth from Hesquiaht First Nation and is based in Victoria.
Hilton travels across the country regularly presenting her work. She has received awards, accolades and recognition locally and nationally. Not only is Hilton’s name becoming well-known, so is the term “Indigenomics,” which she coined herself. It started eight years ago as a hashtag she used on social media hoping to generate some attention and has grown into a movement.
Looking at the word, we can tell it’s created by morphing the words Indigenous and economics together. Hilton explained further that Indigenomics is a platform making space for Indigenous world views, human values and economics to come together.
Hilton’s goal is for the implementation of Indigenomics to aid in growing Indigenous economies from the $32 billion recorded in 2016, to $100 billion by 2024. Hilton said she is the first to have a goal that is expressed in dollars. I love a lofty goal, and measurable goals are great because it’s easy to know when you’ve reached it.
When this goal is reached, it will not just be benefiting Indigenous communities; it will benefit all communities.
There are so many Indigenous communities that are innovative, business-minded and forward-thinking. I have heard from many Indigenous leaders that they are always looking several generations ahead. It’s not about looking after only the people who are here now, but the people who will be here one day.
Through Hilton’s work, she is shifting the research on Indigenous economics from focusing on the gaps in the system, to the strengths of the Indigenous communities and to highlight economic growth.
This is really important to me, and it is such a powerful approach. There is often attention given to the gaps or disparities when it comes to looking at Indigenous communities. Hilton sees the situation with positivity and a plan, and I admire her for it. This ties back into the beginning of the column regarding how our initial perceptions will shape future ones.
Indigenomics is rewiring these perceptions, and that’s no easy feat. When we gain understanding of people who are different from ourselves, they don’t seem so different. Hilton is doing a great job explaining why things need to be looked at differently and why it is so important to change the narrative regarding Indigenous people.
As I’ve learned more about Indigenomics, I see many aspects in my own work where I should be using this term. It’s all encompassing of the merging of business, culture, history, respect and traditional teachings.
When I asked Hilton how this goal can be achieved, she referenced using levers that include philanthropy, capital, trade, entrepreneurship and infrastructure.
Hilton also mentioned the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action No. 92 that includes a commitment to meaning consultation and gaining informed consent from Indigenous people regarding economic-development projects. It also includes information on ensuring Indigenous people have access to jobs, training and education opportunities within economic-development projects.
For too long, Indigenous communities were looked at as “less than,” and that narrative is not going to benefit anyone. I would like to see more people looking at Indigenous communities as “powerhouses,” as Hilton refers to them.
Within our capital region, we have 10 Nations and there are some pretty interesting things happening, from solar power and wasabi farms to development projects both commercial and residential.
“We’ve been in a system for more than 150 years where the systems excluded Indigenous communities,” Hilton said. “We are looking at it through an Indigenous world view and using Indigenous economic design.”
Hilton is bringing Indigenous identities and Indigenous ways into mainstream economic conversations. This is huge, and I believe these foundations that she is laying are going to become pillars for the future Indigenous generations.
Charla Huber is the director of communications and Indigenous relations for M’akola Housing Society.
