Introduction
As First Nations and Inuit we are now entering an exciting time filled with opportunity as we travel the journey of economic reconciliation, inherent rights, Aboriginal Title and claims. There is much to understand and be informed about as we travel this journey.
This web site will focus on information about what is happening in First Nation communities across Canada including ours here at Pabineau First Nation. We will also provide information on what is happening in other countries affecting Indigenous Peoples.
Your comments, wisdom and knowledge are appreciated so please comment if appropriate.
J.A. Richardson Cert. Bus Admin, Bcomm, MBA
An Elder and member of the Mi´gmaq reserve of Pabineau, New Brunswick, Jim has served as a senior officer with the Canadian Armed Forces and he has a variety of experience at the senior level in Government and the private sector. The first Aboriginal graduate in Queen’s MBA in residence program, Jim has experience as a CEO, a chief financial officer, a lender with a bank, in cash management including hedging in multiple currencies and spot market transactions, auditing, marketing, project management, program delivery and operations, strategic planning and all aspects of financial and human resources management. He is currently an elected Councillor for Pabineau First Nation responsible for the Economic Development Portfolio.
Jim’s interest in creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal youth resulted in his lobbying for funding and managing an on-reserve summer employment program which provided jobs for just over 600 First Nations’ students on reserves across Manitoba over a three-year period. He piloted several other summer employment programs and produced a video dealing with Aboriginal employment. Jim has always been interested in communicating the need for non-aboriginals to understand and appreciate Aboriginal cultural differences when forging business relationships. While with CESO, he initiated a project involving second year MBA students from leading business schools doing projects on reserves across Canada as part of their course curriculum. In his capacity with BDC, he planned and developed a successful annual Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition called E-Spirit with over 300 youth participants from across Canada annually over a 6 year period.
He initiated and help coordinate the ISO certification for Membertou First Nation which saw them become the first Indigenous community become so certified which launched them on a path toward economic growth.
He was a member of the National Aboriginal Financing Task Force. He has also participated as a member of an Aboriginal contingent abroad in countries such as Bolivia and Taiwan.
Chief’s Video
Pabineau Falls
Gallery
