b'KNOWING: INDIGENOMICSWe have to bring our circularity, our relationship-based economies, our respect for the land and the water and the animals, into the mainstreamA crucial difference between Indigenomicseconomy at $32 billion, and in 2020,measure Indigenous economic strength, and mainstream economics is theStatistics Canada did rudimentary pollinghighlighting areas of increased Indigenous fundamental concept of money itself. Forto estimate that this number had growneconomic activity. The study will be Indigenous peoples, says Hilton, Moneyto $50 billion. However Hilton pegssignificant in the national narrative and is a tool, not a means to an end. It exists tothe projected economic potential fora benchmark global report, says Hilton. facilitate the continuation of our people.Indigenous businesses in Canada at $100[It] is using GDP as measurement and Hilton believes strongly that the key tobillion in the next five years. She believesbackdrop, but also bringing forward areas creating a more equitable and sustainablethis figure is wholly attainable, and thatof increased Indigenous economic activity. economy is to incorporate Indigenousthe Indigenous economy is closer to $100 worldviews and practices into mainstreambillion than previous studies show. ThatsIn its effort to help build that Indigenous economic systems. We have to bringbecause the metrics around measuringeconomic strength, the Indigenomics our circularity, our relationship-basedIndigenous business growth have notInstitute hosts regular events across economies, our respect for the land andalways appropriately reflected Indigenousthe country. In May, it held its fifth the water and the animals, into the main- economic strengths, she says. Indigenomics by DESIGN forum in stream, she stresses. We have to showVancouveran annual gathering bringing that we can do business in a way thatsThe Indigenomics Institute is on atogether governments, industry and good for people and good for the planet. mission to demonstrate the real numbersIndigenous business to discuss value through a collaborative study that willcreation in the Indigenous economy. This represents a world view thatset out to answer the question of how toThis coming November, it will host Indigenous peoples have inherited from their ancestors. What one often sees in a successful Indigenous community or business that is absent in mainstream corporate structure is the circularity ofWhat is the meaning of revenue to support Elders, advance youthMamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin?and language, and continuity of well-being. This is where Indigenous business is unique, Hilton notes. Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin is the Tikinagan service model. In Ojibway/Oji-Cree, Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin means,BUSINESS GROWTH Everyone working Considering that Indigenous peoplestogether to raise our in Canada were not even allowed legalrepresentation until 1951, under thechildren.Indian Act, their success in business isIt is a system of protecting and caring for all the more impressive. Indigenouschildren and supporting families that has peoples are economic powerhouses,been designed and is delivered by First Hilton says. [We are] seeing theNations people in our 30 communities.increasing trend of Indigenous businesses building multi-million, or now even multi-billion-dollar projects. In 2016, a TD economic report identi-fied the size of the Canadian IndigenousTIKINAGAN.ORGOntario Native Womens Association25'