b'DEPARTMENT OVERVIEWEconomic Development, and is supported by two policy analysts. Sharma explains that First Nations in Ontario face unique and complex opportunities and chal-lenges regarding economic development and capacity building. The Economic Development Sectors role and key mandate are to advocate for improved economic policy, programs and services, and to identify pathways to strengthen and rebuild First Nations economies for a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for all First Nations. The Economic Development Sector has one committee: the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development. The Prosperity Table, established in May 2021, is a vehicle used to identify oppor-tunities and initiatives that will support First Nations and establish partnerships between First Nations communities and local industries, businesses and municipal-ities. The Chiefs Committee on Economic Development provides leadership and guidance on strategic economic develop-ment matters for the Prosperity Table. The Economic Development Sector also supports the Employment Table Working Group, which is mandated to work on a new First Nations Employment Model, including the improvement of employ-Arvind Sharma, Director of Economic Development. ment, training and skills development services and programming. Both the Committee and Working Group are First COO EconomicNations-led and are directed by the COO Leadership Council, with representation across many economic sectors such as Development Sector green energy projects, mining, forestry, agriculture and gaming.Supporting First Nations-led economic prosperity One of the leading successes for the Sector is the Government of Ontarios BY ASHLEY ALBERT investment within their 2022 Ontario F irst Nations-led economiceconomic prosperity that respects theBudgetOntarios Plan to Build, which includes $25 million over the next three development, prosperity anddiversity of First Nations communities,years to support economic development wealth creation are essentialTreaty and inherent rights. A strategic,in First Nations in Ontario. Announced components in advancingFirst Nations-led mechanism called thein October 2022, the investment provides the self-determination of First NationsFirst Nations Economic Growth andfunding to increase access to low-interest communities in Ontario and for FirstProsperity Table (Prosperity Table),loans and grants for First Nations Nations to thrive and succeed on a local,a joint table with the Government ofbusinesses and entrepreneurs, support regional, national and global level. Ontario, has enabled the Economicdigitization and e-commerce, and support Development Sector to secure invest- community-based economic development In response to calls from the Chiefs- ments and move forward on achievingtraining opportunities. The funding will in-Assembly by a resolution to promoteeconomic growth for all First Nations be used to assist First Nations businesses economically sustainable First Nationsin Ontario.and communities to recover after the communities in Ontario, the Chiefs ofCOVID-19 pandemic, modernize busi-Ontario (COO) was mandated to estab- Formally re-established in 2021,ness processes and remove barriers for lish the COO Economic Developmentthe Economic Development Sector isFirst Nations people pursuing apprentice-Sector to support First Nations-ledoverseen by Arvind Sharma, Director ofships or accessing training opportunities. 54l I ssue2 2022/23C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'