Engraved on Our Nations: Indigenous Economic Tenacity

A testimony to Indigenous resilience in business

Despite investments in nation building, self-autonomy, and cultural resurgence, Indigenous economic development has remained an underexplored and underestimated area of research. Engraved on Our Nations overturns the discouraging deficit perspective too common in policy and academia and amplifies the largely undocumented history of successful Indigenous economic activity in Canada. 

Following David Newhouse’s overview of Indigenous economic history, the authors of this collection illustrate how First Nation and Métis individuals and communities have met and overcome an array of challenges. Case studies focus on First Nations from Membertou (Nova Scotia) to Tahltan (British Columbia) and Indigenous-led enterprises like McDonald Brothers Electric (Northwest Territories) and Neechi Commons (Manitoba). Simultaneously celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs and exploring concerns around sustainable development, the book also asks: can capitalism be Indigenized? 

This first-of-its-kind collection shares stories not only of entrepreneurial excellence and persistence but savvy leadership, innovation, and reciprocity. In doing so, Engraved on Our Nations provides hope to Indigenous business leaders, youth, and elected officials working on the front lines to improve economic conditions and achieve "a good life" for their communities.

Wanda Wuttunee is Professor Emerita at the University of Manitoba, where she was Director of Aboriginal Business Education Partners at The Asper School of Business. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development.

Fred Wien was Director of the Maritime School of Social Work at Dalhousie University where he currently holds a professor emeritus appointment. He also served as Deputy Director of Research at the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples, 1992-96. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2015.