Opportunities for First Nation prosperity through oil and gas development

Over the next decade, more than 600 major resource projects, worth upward of $650 billion, are under development in Canada. Many of these projects will affect First Nations community and given the location of these communities, First Nations can have the opportunity to benefit from future resource development. For many in the affected First Nations communities, the jobs that resource development may bring are the only way out of poverty and into prosperity. In my presentation, I will analyze the opportunities and obstacles that oil and gas development present for First Nation communities.

Ravina Bains is a PhD candidate, SPPA, at Carleton University. She previously served as Director of Policy for the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Ravina holds an MA in Asian Pacific Policy Studies from the University of British Columbia.