b'ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTFirst Nations Procurementand Economic Recovery During COVID-192 020 has been a challenging year for First Nations acrossWe have been calling upon the contracting stands at less than the country. The COVID-19 pandemic was particularlyfederal government to improve its harmful to First Nations businesses with the economicprocurement relationship with First Nations repercussions of mass closures, work stoppages andbusinesses. The current status ofsupply line shortages. The state of a depressed economy are not1 per cent of all federal contracts secured by First Nations, new trials for First Nations. There are, however, added challengesInuit, Mtis and the businesses that self-identify as Indigenous. with the pandemic. First Nations people have once again shownFirst Nations businesses have raised concerns that the current tremendous resilience, adaptability and a willingness to workprocurement system is difficult to navigate and disadvantageous together to get through the pandemic and create opportunitiesto them. A key missing component would be a centralized for economic recovery and procurement. database of First Nations businesses, with better navigational Procurement tools, more relevant data and easier access to contracts. Essential to this will be First Nations-led accountability and monitoring Procurement is the process of negotiating and fulfilling ordersas well as increased communications. The Government of for goods and services. Ideally, this process should offer fairCanada has recently committed to increasing the Indigenous and equal opportunities for businesses to participate, but thisprocurement target to 5 per cent of all federal procurementan is not always the case. First Nations businesses are poised to beimportant step in the right direction.major contributors in the procurement space. The AFN, along with Indigenous technical organizations, have been increasingEconomic Recoveryefforts to make sure changes to policy match up better withNational Chief Perry Bellegarde and B.C. Regional Chief Terry these opportunities and follow the instructions of the NationalTeegee, portfolio holder, have advocated for the Government Resolution 38/2019 Increasing First Nations Procurementof Canada to provide adequate support measures and financial Opportunities and Benefits. First Nations businesses do, however,stimulus to help First Nations businesses weather the storm. face unique systemic barriers that have obstructed procurementThe National Chief has also communicated the importance of potential in the past. Altogether there are disproportionateincluding First Nations businesses in federal supply chains in barriers when one considers socio-economic situations andresponse to the pandemic and has spoken to Ministers about the policies that were developed over generations. The AFN, with theinclusion of First Nations in existing and new strategies and guidance of the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development,planning and decision-making processes.has developed an evergreen discussion paper, Procurement inFor First Nations economic development, some of the greatest Canada: Possible Actions to Increase First Nations Opportunitiespriorities at this time are the economic recovery of First and Benefits, which outlines recommendations to increaseNations businesses, individuals and the labour force in the First Nations procurement opportunities. Some of thesewake of the pandemic. Many businesses have seen demand recommendations include: plummet since March, especially in the fisheries, tourism and hospitality industries. The AFN participated on the COVID-19 Undertaking an independent First Nations-led review and action plan to review procurement. Task Force on Indigenous Business Response, which collected Establishing a 5 per cent First Nations Federal Governmentinformation about the capabilities for some businesses to retoolmandatory procurement target and increasing sole sourceto provide products, such as the much-needed personal protective thresholds for First Nations businesses. equipment (PPE), as well as to ask First Nations and other Indigenous businesses about the early issues they were facing. Improving First Nations procurement data collection andreporting capabilities. A new approach to a First Nations economic strategy will be pivotal to support the recovery, sustainability and developmentprocurement targets and First Increasing enforceability of of the economy. Enhanced support will be needed for our Nations-led monitoring of the targets. access to all sectors, including agriculture, farming, dairy, energy, forestry, mining, tourism, fisheries, social economy Improving international trade procurement opportunities.Establishing a comprehensive First Nations and other sectors. As part of the overall work, efforts will also need to be placed on continuing towards renewable sources of business marketplace. clean energy and supporting the green economy. This time of Fulfilling the procurement recommendations that benefiteconomic recovery is an important opportunity for a green shiftFirst Nations businesses that were provided by the Standingin industry, to build back better and include an emphasis on Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. sustainability and environmental stewardship.56 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'