OBJECTIVES & STRUCTURE
The Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AAEDIRP), is a research program formed through partnerships between the 38 member communities of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, plus the Inuit, 12 Atlantic universities and 4 government funders, both federal and provincial. The main purpose of the AAEDIRP is to improve the knowledge base concerning Atlantic Aboriginal economic development in order to improve the lives of the Aboriginal people in the region.
OBJECTIVES
TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To conduct research that is relevant to Atlantic Aboriginal Communities and organizations, linking their needs with Atlantic university resources.
TO BUILD RESEARCH CAPACITY
To build research capacity in the field of Aboriginal economic development with an emphasis on the hiring of Aboriginal staff, the involvement of Aboriginal academics, the training of Aboriginal researchers and the involvement of Aboriginal students and graduates. The building of research capacity also includes that of non-Aboriginal researchers in terms of the knowledge and experience they gain in working with Aboriginal communities.
TO CREATE A DATABASE ON ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To serve as a focal point for information pertaining to Aboriginal economic development. A data base should emphasize information that is accessible electronically by Aboriginal communities and governments, as well as by faculty and students.
TO HOLD WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES ON ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To conduct information dissemination workshops and conferences for AAEDIRP stakeholders, making available the best possible information from the region, (from Canada and abroad), to support the process of economic development for Atlantic Aboriginal communities.
The AAEDIRP is one of the vehicles for action of the Aboriginal Economy Building Strategy, a regional economic development strategy endorsed by the Chiefs of the Atlantic First Nations in 2007. The AAEDIRP is administered by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APCFNC).
AAEDIRP UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
Dalhousie University St. Thomas University Acadia University
University of New Brunswick Saint Mary's University St. Francis Xavier University
Memorial University Université de Moncton Mount Allison University
Cape Breton University University of PEI Mount Saint Vincent University
AAEDIRP STRUCTURE
CO-CHAIRS
Aboriginal Co-Chair - John Paul, Executive Director, APCFNC
University Co-Chair - Dr. Fred Wien, Dalhousie University
STEERING COMMITTEE
Aboriginal Representatives
1. Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation
2. Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation
3. Chief Joanna Bernard, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation
4. John Paul, Executive Director, APCFNC
5. Paul Rich, CEO - Innu Development Limited Partnership, Alternate: Fred Hall, Business Manager, Innu Development Limited Partnership
6. Tim McNeill, Deputy Minister, Education and Economic Development, Nunatsiavut Government
7. Elder Christine Gabriel Boone, Saint Mary's First Nation
8. Lisa Francis, Economic Development Officer, Acadia First Nation
Government/Funding Representatives
9. ACOA, Cheryl Keats, Aboriginal Affairs, Community Development, Policy & Programs Branch
10. DFO - Kevin Fram, Director, Special Projects, Aboriginal Policy and Governance, Aboriginal Policy and Governance Directorate
11. INAC - Sarah Hechavarria, Manager, Intergovernmental Affairs & Economic Opportunities, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
12. Nova Scotia - Ernest Walker, Director of Policy, Aboriginal Affairs
University Partner Representatives
13. Dalhousie University - Dr. Fred Wien, Dr. Martha Crago
14. Cape Breton University - Dale Keefe, Dean of Research
15. University of New Brunswick - Dr. Greg Kealey/Dr. Sue Blair
16. St. Thomas University - Dr. Laurel Lewey
17. Memorial University - Dr. Sharon Taylor
