b'MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTTaking Ownershipof our FutureJ.P. Gladu O ur spring edition of the Aboriginalmanagement of our reserve lands marks a huge Business Report focuses on lever- step in shaping our social and economic well-being.aging Indigenous land into busi-ness success. It speaks to an issueIn my own experience as a member of Bingwi President and CEO very close to our hearts: IndigenousNeyaashi Anishinaabek (BNA) First Nation, we rights to our land, self-governance and decision- developed our land code for our reserve lands in making power. We share stories of overcomingconsultation with our council and community and it @ccab_national barriers to economic development, boostingpassed in its first vote. In 2011, we piloted a Land @The Canadian revenues through self-governing taxation, andUse Plan with Aboriginal Affairs and NorthernCouncil for maneuvering through the intricacies of landDevelopment Canada and Natural Resources Aboriginal Business management legislation.Canada to build the foundation for land-based www.ccab.com economic development. The pilot gave us the In one of our feature articles, you can readopportunity, through our land surveys, to accurately about the game-changing First Nations Landreflect actual land use, improve the link between Management Act (FNLMA), which gives Firstland management and economic development, Nations the authority to develop their own landand to better plan for the compatibility of adjoining laws (land codes) so they are no longer managedland uses and resolution of boundary disputes. by the government under the Indian Act. BNAnowmanagesitsownreservelands, Not only does this groundbreaking legislationremoving the barriers to economic development improve our access to our own lands and finan- and resources experienced under the Indian Act. cial resources, it recognizes our Indigenous rightUnder our land code, the BNA council is account-to develop our own laws on land use, naturalable to members for the management of the resources and revenues. Moving away fromland, natural resources and finances. Setting up the Indian Act and easing the governmentsour new land management authority allows for greater administrative efficiencies and advantages in terms of economic devel-opment opportunities. What may have taken years of red tape through various A CCOUNTINGS ERVICES| C ONSULTINGS ERVICES| P ROJECTM ANAGEMENTS ERVICES government channels can now be accom-plished at the speed of business. INDIGENOUS OWNED AND CONTROLLEDAlso in this issue, you can read about COMPANY HELPING CANADIAN how First Nations groups are gaining FIRST NATIONS BECOME authority over their property tax and INDEPENDENT directing this new revenue stream into their infrastructure and economy. And you can learn about a west coast commu-nity embarking on a massive develop-ment project to turn its land into a long-term revenue source. These are all stories about First Nation groups taking ownership of their land and, in a very real way, their future. They are important stories to share. INDIGENOUSMANAGEMENT.CA I hope you enjoy this edition of Aboriginal Business Report.6A CCAB PUBLICATION2019'