Indigenous Economic Independence in an Era of Neoliberal Capitalism

Invitation to the Concordia community and friends

This keynote presentation is the kick-off for Startup Nations, a three-day event that brings together a dozen teams of Indigenous youth from across Quebec to work on developing an alternative economic initiative. This event aims to provide these creative youth with the skills to develop their business acumen and self-confidence, so they can go home with strength and courage to achieve their goals for themselves and their communities.

The keynote address will be followed by a discussion with the audience.

Kam’ayaam/Chachim’multhnii (Cliff Atleo, Jr.) is a Tsimshian (Kitsumkalum/Kitselas) and Nuu-chah-nulth (Ahousaht) scholar who researches Indigenous governance, community development and political economy. His doctoral research focuses on the political economy of the Ahousaht on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in both historical and contemporary contexts. He is interested in how Indigenous communities navigate/adopt/resist mainstream capitalism while working to sustain their unique cultural identities, practices and worldviews. Cliff is particularly interested in how Indigenous communities and leaders continue to assert agency within the confines of settler colonial politics and economics. His research will look at Indigenous community development policy and the revival of traditional economic practices as well as the exploration of new practices rooted in traditional Indigenous principles and values.

Startup Nations is organized by the Table régionale d'économie sociale des Premières Nations in collaboration with Le Chantier d'économie sociale and Concordia University.