How Indigenous economic development corporations can support a just, low-carbon energy transition

Indigenous communities can be involved in renewable energy projects in a number of ways. The benefits of revenues to communities can be important to improving their self-determination and economic reconciliation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

There are over 50,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada today. According to the 2020 census, the Indigenous economy generated a gross domestic product of $48.9 billion dollars. A growing number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities are establishing economic development corporations (EDCs), of which many are involved in the renewable energy sector.

Indigenous EDCs exist across a range of industries such as retail, forestry, fisheries, energy, mining, construction and hospitality. They have the potential to be major drivers for economic growth in Indigenous communities.