Aboriginal Aquaculture Association 5-Year Strategic Plan (2012-2017)

Chief Richard Harry

Executive Director

Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

Background

First Nations leaders recognize aquaculture as a rapidly-growing economic sector that is brining employment and prosperity to coastal and rural communities throughout Canada

Aquaculture is already occurring in traditional territories

Many First Nations want to explore potential to become meaningfully engaged in the sector

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Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) was established in 2003 to serve as a coordinating, certification and resource body to facilitate the meaningful participation of First Nations and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the aquaculture sector • Not-for-Profit Organization

• Governed by a Board of Directors

The AAA also engages with federal and provincial governments to influence aquaculture policy

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Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

The AAA operates with an open and inclusive policy - i.e. services and support are provided to any and all First Nations that request assistance, not only AAA members

Objective

To serve as a coordinating, certification and resource body to facilitate the meaningful participation of First Nations & Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the aquaculture sector

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AAA – What We Do

Access to Information • Meetings, workshops, individually, newsletters

Technical Assistance & Support • Facilitate First Nations engagement in aquaculture

Advocacy • Influence aquaculture policy development federally &

provincially • Promote & facilitate development of effective

partnerships

Training • Assist with Development & Delivery of training programs

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Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

AAA will continue to assist with the realization of First Nations goals pertaining to sustainable aquaculture development by facilitating access to knowledge, technologies and expertise to overcome the challenges and constraints to Aboriginal aquaculture development

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Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

Vision

“First Nations will play a key role in the development and management of a healthy and

sustainable aquaculture sector”

Mission

“To promote and assist the development of First Nations’ aquaculture that respects and supports First Nation communities, culture and values.”

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Guiding Principles

Respect for each First Nation’s autonomy

Enhance economic development opportunities for each First Nation

Implement shared decision-making and co-operative management of resources between each First Nation and government

Ensure that First Nations realize the benefits from a sustainable aquaculture industry

Promote both socioeconomic and environmental sustainability

Source: First Nations submission to NASAPI 8

Building a Better Future

Aboriginal communities are increasingly driven by a renewed entrepreneurial spirit and a business focus aimed toward asserting ownership and control over their resources and destiny.

Aquaculture is a new wave that has approached the shores of First Nation lands. It presents an exciting opportunity to re-build First Nation economies and stimulate a new era of self-sufficiency and prosperity.

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Building a Better Future

Aquaculture presents an opportunity to pursue spiritual, cultural, political and economic development in support of a sustainable economy and community self-determination.

The AAA believes that Aboriginal peoples and communities deserve equitable access to aquaculture development opportunities in their traditional territories, should they choose to pursue them.

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Challenges to Aboriginal Engagement in Aquaculture

1. Absence of a coordinated, strategic approach to aboriginal aquaculture development

2. Lack of capacity and inadequate training for skills development

3. Lack of awareness regarding economic development opportunities in the sector

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Challenges to Aboriginal Engagement in Aquaculture

4. The costly, time-consuming and cumbersome regulatory framework

5. Insufficient access to knowledge and information regarding the implications of aquaculture development in First Nation territories

6. Inability to access investment capital

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AAA 5-Year Strategic Plan

In 2011, the AAA renewed its Strategic Plan to address the challenges and evolving needs fo First Nations regarding aquaculture development

The 5-Year Plan is built around three fundamental strategic elements:

• Aboriginal Aquaculture Development Initiatives

• Co-Management of Territorial Aquatic Resources

• Communications and Administration

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AAA Strategic Objectives

Aboriginal Aquaculture Development Initiatives

Increased direct involvement by First Nations and aboriginal entrepreneurs in the aquaculture production and supplies and services sectors

Identification of skills requirements within aboriginal communities to support aquaculture development and provision of necessary training

Improved access to investment and working capital to support aboriginal aquaculture initiatives

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AAA Strategic Objectives

Co-Management of Territorial Aquatic Resources

Help to position First Nations to become meaningfully engaged as co-managers of the aquatic resources within their traditional territories

Foster socially, economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture development based in part on aboriginal principles and values and the application of traditional ecological knowledge

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AAA Strategic Objectives

Communications and Administration

Timely dissemination of objective information regarding the scope, status and potential opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development

Procurement of resources to support the efforts of the AAA

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Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture

Elements of the APSA: • Third party certification program

developed by AAA • Transparency and First Nation

(Aboriginal) Inclusiveness • Social Responsibility • Environmental Responsibility • Economic Responsibility

Ahousaht First Nation & Mainstream Canada • First to receive certification

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Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

Each Strategic Element is supported by specific Action Items

Copies of the AAA 5-Year Strategic Plan are available on the display table

The AAA: • Is ready to assist all First Nations in their quest to

explore opportunities in aquaculture development

• Welcomes your inquiries

Thank You 18