Ep. 266: Unlocking First Nations’ business potential

Guest: Mark Selman, SFU Beedie School of Business

In his book “Resource Rulers,” Bill Gallagher points out that the key to Canada’s economic future is in the hands of indigenous organizations and individuals.

He goes onto say that opportunities are boundless for anyone who chooses to engage with First Nations businesspeople, community leaders and governments.

Like all business relationships, the dynamics and the particulars of how to succeed are wrapped up in the intricate web of human relationships – relationships that take into account the culture, the rules and regulations, and the meeting of minds in the pursuit of a common objective.

We are on new ground in Canada. Moving forward, First Nations and non-indigenous organizations will be working together to develop resources and capitalize on opportunities in a manner that will bring employment, revenue and prosperity to territories that have languished in poverty under the Indian Act.

How, then, do we move forward? What are the business and cultural first-through 100 steps that need to be realized to ensure success? These are the questions being asked by everyone in business, be they First Nations or not.

We invited Mark Selman, the founding director of the Executive MBA program in Indigenous Business and Leadership, Beedie School of Business, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the wealth of potential in doing business as or with indigenous organizations and individuals.