BACKGROUND INFORMATION
First Nations across BC have expanded their business and economic activities in all industry sectors, and in many regions are lead economic players creating wealth and employment for their community members as well as others.
While there are many Indigenous organizations both provincially and nationally that represent a variety of First Nation interests, there has not been an organization that represents and advocates for First Nation owned Development Corporations.
A new organization has been formed to address this gap; The BC First Nations Development Corporation Association has been established as a BC Society and is comprised of the founding Nation owned Development Corporations and led by its Managing Director, Michael Bonshor, CPA of Visions First Nations Financial Service and the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation.
The mandate of the FNBDA is to lift the collective strength and influence of BC First Nations owned Development Corporations, for the benefit of their community. Specifically, a number of purposes and approaches have been identified.
The FNBDA is guided by its founding directors: Reg Ogen (CEO Yinke Dene Ec Dev LP), Al Little (GM NEDC) and Kerry Mehaffey (CEO Lil’wat Business Corporation)