Rural development is a diverse, complex, and evolving process. Before and during this pandemic, communities have been and continue to be engaged in innovative policy development with the goal of enhancing the economic and social well-being of rural citizens. However, issues related to sustainability and the environment, rural-urban interdependencies, access to information, and the instability of both global and local markets are changing the way we think about rural development. As a result, the public, private, and civil society sectors are developing individually and collectively new and innovative ways to collaborate and enhance economic activity in rural communities.

The CIE Conference will explore these themes through panels and presentations led by a variety of stakeholders including community or non-governmental organizations; the private sector; academics; local, regional, provincial, territorial, and/or federal governments; Indigenous governments and/or organizations; and other policymakers.

Register for Creating Inclusive Economies

In the interest of the health and well-being of participants, organizers and the host community during the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Creating Inclusive Economies: Building Bridges Between Public, Private and Civil Society Sectors will take place virtually on September 28 to 29, 2021.

An in-person event is scheduled to take place in May 2022. Stay tuned for more details about Fall 2021 event presentations, speakers, member-only perks, May 2022 updates, and more!

Follow us on Twitter (@CEDEC_QC and @CRRF_FCRR) for up-to-the-minute conference news or keep your eye on the #InclusiveEconomies2021 hashtag.

Conference Co-hosts: Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC) and Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF)

2pm - 3pm Eastern Time

For good reason, the world of work is rarely seen as a liberatory space, but can it become so? NPQ’s latest webinar in our Remaking the Economy series looks at the workplace of today while exploring how our work lives might be transformed to support health and wellbeing, promote restorative justice, and provide not just “jobs” but livelihoods.

This webinar features three observers approaching this question from the standpoints of research; solidarity economy organizing; and on-the-ground reporting.

Leading this discussion are our three expert panelists:

Jessica Gordon Nembhard is a professor in the Department of Africana Studies at John Jay College of the City University of New York (CUNY), and is author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice.

Emily Kawano is a cofounder of the US Solidarity Economic Network; codirector of Wellspring Cooperative in Springfield, Massachusetts; and a member of NPQ’s economic justice advisory committee.

Alissa Quart is executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, based in New York City, and is the author of six books, including Squeezed: Why Our Families Can't Afford America.

This webinar will explore:

• How should one understand the scope of “work”? What are key elements that go missing in conventional definitions?
• How is the nature of the workplace relationship between employer and employee changing? How has the rise of the gig economy altered the job market?
• What lessons have we learned from the treatment of “essential workers” that we have witnessed during COVID-19?
• What would work in a solidarity economy look like—and how would it differ from what is experienced in today’s capitalist economy? How would a solidarity economy deal with contemporary challenges, such as automation?
• What is meant by the phrase “livelihood” and how does that phrase differ from “work” as conventionally understood?
• How do labor practices from the system of incarceration affect the broader world of work? How might worker co-ops be used to begin to disrupt those pattens?
• What would a restorative future of work look like?
• What can nonprofits and philanthropy do to support workers and help create the restorative future of work we desire?

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, board member, or engaged in community-based organizing, this webinar will provide you with real-life examples and lessons learned that can inform your work in your own community.

Register to learn how nonprofits and movement activists are advancing strategies to address the economic and social inequalities of our time!

Register for Remaking the Economy: Envisioning a Restorative Future of Work

The moderator for this webinar is NPQ Economic Justice Program Director Steve Dubb. Steve has worked with cooperatives and nonprofits for over two decades and has been both a student and practitioner in the field of community economic development. You can send your questions to editorinchief@npqmag.org to have them answered during the web event.

Pivot on Purpose is a biennial celebration and conference that recognizes and nurtures Canadian social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. This two-day event offers opportunities for connection, learning and celebration. This year's event will be held on November 18 & 20, 2021. 

On Day 1, join a full day of exciting speakers to discuss and explore the best practices and latest innovations in social enterprise. In the evening, the awards gala will celebrate social enterprises and social entrepreneurs in various stages of growth and impact. Watch ten ventures live pitch to claim top honours in The Trico Foundation’s What’s Next YYC Award. Applaud the top Canadian social enterprise demonstrating outstanding impact and innovation as they receive recognition from The Trico Foundation’s Social EnterPrize Award. New in 2021, the NU Student Social Entrepreneurship Awards will recognize student social entrepreneurs.

On Day 2, support youth as they pitch their ideas on how to apply business models to social issues. The student case competition is open to teams with at least one student registered at a post-secondary institution, the rest of the team may include recent graduates.

Learn more and register

This year, the Association of Cooperative Educators is hosting an interactive, virtual ACE Institute for Co-op Educators, Managers and Developers across North America. This conference will bring together co-operators in English, French and Spanish speaking nations, to look at the steps involved in rebuilding, educating and co-operating in a post-pandemic world.

Who's invited?

If you are a co-op educator, manager or developer this is the conference for you. We will have plenty of exciting panels, networking opportunities, and social events planned over three days, in English, French and Spanish.

Students & Young Professionals! You are welcome to join this event in a special track that will highlight networking opportunities tailored to your needs.

Learn more 

2:00pm Pacific Time (5:00pm Eastern Time)

Samuel served a 3 year term on Council for the Ermineskin Tribe from 2011 to 2014.  While Finance portfolio (2012/13), Samuel partnered with Council from neighboring First Nations and commissioned a Maskwacis Cree Economic Leakage study. 

Samuel will share his experience and consultant methodology that developed the data that helped chart a path forward for the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc. business development from 2014 - 2020

Register for 60 Million Reasons to Reverse Economic Leakage

Speaker 

Samuel Minde is tribal citizen of the Ermineskin Tribe.  The Ermineskin Cree Nation is located side by side by side of the Samson Cree, Louis Bull Tribe and the Montana First Nation(s), collectively are the Maskwacis Cree.  The Maskwacis Cree are Treaty 6 Nations located in what is now known as central Alberta in between the major cities of Edmonton and Calgary. 

Samuel's education credentials are having earned a Master's degree in Business in Indigenous Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business (2017), a Bachelor of Management from Athabasca University (2007) and a Diploma in Management from Red Deer College (2005). 

Samuels experience is rooted in First Nations governance and strategy.  His entrepreneurial spirit and courage frame his leadership style and relationships, as such, Samuel has served in various Leadership roles and provide guidance to First Nations Councils, Boards and Committees.  From 2014 to 2020 Samuel invested his time and energy with the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies as Chief Executive Officer and from 2011 to 2014 Samuel was an elected leader for the Ermineskin Cree Nation.   He currently serves as the Executive Director for the Ochapowace Nation. 

Samuel also started a consulting company called "BlueSky Business Design."  Bluesky Business Design is created to elevate First Nations organizations and entrepreneurs realize a return on investment. From start to finish, we work with you offering independent, highly objective advice to enable you and your organization advance your Vision and Mission.