Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and Ulnooweg Development Group have worked together for years, but the agreement made the partnership more formal.
“I think us working together shows how we, as First Nations, indigenous people, actually collaborate and work in the best interests of our communities across Atlantic Canada,” John Paul, executive director of APC, said at the agreement’s announcement at the Halifax Central Library on Wednesday.
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The responsibilities for Ulnooweg include supporting indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses in the region with economic, environmental, and social impacts.
APC’s responsibilities include speaking on behalf indigenous communities, and providing research and analysis.
“I think that’s one of the things that we always have an issue with […] the siloed approach that occurs,” said Chris Googoo, general manager of Ulnooweg.
He added that he wants this move to show the private sector that this means both groups are up for more partnerships.
“That could be, like, the Atlantic provinces’ chamber of commerce, it could be the Halifax Chamber of Commerce that want to look at MOUs with us as well,” Googoo said.
The agreement is supposed to last until June 2022.