Economic Development

Economic Development Department Portfolio

The mandate of the Neskonlith economic development department is to promote socially responsible economic self-reliance, through the generation of sustainable environmentally friendly businesses that are either Band owned & operated, individual/family owned & operated and/or mixed ownership Band & individual/family owned. The NIB economic development department is actively working on upgrading community infrastructure which will create a climate that potential investors will view the Neskonlith community as open for business. It is also within the mandate of the department to actively support and create a business awareness and atmosphere for the positive socio-economic growth of community owned & small businesses of the Neskonlith community.

Economic Development Guiding Principles

  • Avoid infringements of Aboriginal Rights & Title.
  • Ensure the protection of lands & areas of significant cultural value (i.e. archaeological, traditional use, burial, spiritual ceremonial, medicinal, plant harvesting, hunting, sites).
  • Ensure the protection and continued practices in Secwepemc traditional territory.
  • Ensure community and individual prosperity especially for future generations.
  • Ensure promotion of private business development.
  • Promote individual training and skills enhancement (capacity building)
  • Facilitate meaningful employment opportunities while placing emphasis on financial viability of Band own businesses.
  • Enhance socio-economic self-reliance, a diversified economy not dependent on any one sector and community sustainability.

Programs and Services

  • Assist both individuals establish both private and partnership business ventures that conform to culture values and community acceptability.
  • Assist the membership increase their employability skills through the implementation of either single seat or group training programs. These Direct Seat purchase programs are limited to programs under

    • $750.00 and are funded under the Shuswap Training & Employment Program (STEP). You can find more information regarding STEP programs here.

  • Assist members establish private ventures by walking them through the business planning and start-up process by linking them to Aboriginal organizations that provide Planning and Financing assistance.
  • Assist in negotiations that lead to employment opportunities for members with government, and industry stakeholders who wish to either establish new venture or expand operations within the Neskonlith area of interest.
  • Participate in the Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) process that will ensure community consent in the business planning process and establishment of Band owned major venture and/or partnership with territorial stakeholders. More information on the CCP process can be found here
  • Assist in negotiations and/or establish independent infrastructure programs that ensure the local infrastructure is in place which will enhance investment opportunities.

Concepts Behind Our Economic Development

Economic development occurs when a community begins to retain and spend money within our community and generates inflows of money from outside the community through tourism, exportation or investments. Our community will be economically healthy when the inflows into the community are greater than the outflows (economic leakage). When jobs are created and the income from these jobs is spent within our community creating more revenue for others who spend the money within the community, etc. We know there is a strong correlation between economic development and unemployment rates. By implementing a strong economic development program we’ll be creating jobs that retain money in our community. When the only jobs are outside our community then a large portion of the income is spent outside the community and the cash inflows are only whatever is sent or brought back to the community.

The development of jobs in a community is a function of the entrepreneurial activity within the community. We only have a certain number of administrative jobs available, the rest have to be created by the economic development department’s promotion and support of entrepreneurial activity that leads to job creation for others. Our long-term economic plan is to create a climate where economic growth flourishes by ensuring the infrastructure is in place that promotes the entrepreneurial spirit.
The ability to do this will result in benefits such as self governance, meaningful career opportunities and retention of community members, particularly our youth. A detailed overview regarding our economic development goals can be found here

Ska'tsin Resources LTD

Ska’tsin Resources LTD. is a recently established incorporated economic vehicle that’s been created to advance the economic goals of the Band. With the recent work toward establishing the commerce park that will be the site of our planned Ready to Assemble Housing and Custom Kitchen & Bath Cabinet ventures we realized we required an economic vehicle that will take the lead in implementing these ventures. Ska’tsin is the legal entity that any future Band owned & operated and/or economic business partnerships will function as main proponent on behalf of the Band. Since incorporation the Band have conducted extensive research into other FN’s corporate structures to determine which model will best suit NIB needs. From the 4 models that we examined NIB have determined the Modern Model will best suit our needs as this model has built in structures the ensure continuity and external non-bias oversight. The modern model also calls for elected board members from the community so the selection of the board will occur during the next regular election of Chief & Council. At this time Ska’tsin is only a shell of a company it won’t commence functioning as an actual company until the full board has been established at the next election.

Last spring we revisited our list of potential economic ventures that we compiled back in 2004. The potential venture list was established and based on existing community resources that increase the potential of the venture becoming a success. These resources include things like location, human resources, available land, available infrastructure etc. In any case the potential ventures that we’ve chosen to explore in greater detail include a rustic type of resort at Neskonlith Lake. We’ve also determined with the completion of the new irrigation system we have decided to put greater effort on re-establishing the agriculture production at IR #1. Then in respect to IR # 2 the two key areas that we’ve determined we should explore tapping into economic potential include highway development that will be enhanced by plans the Ministry of Highways have for 4 lane improvements. Then with encouragement and support from the Village of Chase we’ve decided to once again explore the establishment of a commerce park on Band land. As for our IR #3 land base with the recent tripartite water project and the upcoming sewage project the commercial grade infrastructure will be in place that will allow for major development on the bench lands above the village. Considerations at IR # 3 include long term leases of high end housing, golf course and most recently OUC has inquired about consideration of locating a satellite campus in our community.