Northern Canada MLA Pushes for Indigenous Business Edge

When Deninu K'ue First Nation lost a mining contract to a company from the south, something clicked for Richard Edjericon. The Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA realized economic reconciliation needed to become more than just words.

Edjericon is now championing policies that would give Indigenous businesses an advantage when competing for private sector contracts on their traditional territories. He's working closely with Deninu Chief Louis Balsillie, who recently sent a letter to the territorial government after losing the contract to provide core boxes to a mining company.

"Economic development on our traditional territory must be guided by a culture of mutual respect and shared benefit," Edjericon told the assembly. He wants businesses to partner with Indigenous communities rather than simply operate near them.

The MLA argues that choosing the lowest bidder misses the bigger picture. When contracts go to local Indigenous businesses, money circulates through the community, building skills and creating lasting opportunities.

Industry Minister Caitlin Cleveland pushed back, explaining that government procurement rules can't be extended to private companies. Those businesses make their own decisions based on factors beyond government control.

But Edjericon sees that response as maintaining a status quo that leaves Indigenous people behind. He pointed to his experience chairing the Mackenzie Valley Impact Review Board, where he encouraged companies to build relationships with First Nations before formal assessments even began.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of keeping contracts local goes far beyond immediate profits. Transportation and material costs might be higher in remote Northern communities, but Edjericon frames those expenses as investments in people and capacity building.

When Indigenous workers gain experience and skills through local contracts, entire communities benefit for generations. Youth see career paths opening up on their own lands, and traditional knowledge combines with modern business practices.

Edjericon emphasized that all MLAs representing small communities share this responsibility. They carry constituent voices and maintain relationships with local leaders who understand both challenges and solutions.

His highest priority remains ensuring Indigenous rights are respected through stronger co-management systems. From honoring treaties to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, he believes the government must work with communities to grow local workforces.

"If our communities continue to miss out on these opportunities, the entire territory loses the contributions our people can make," he said. At a time when the North's economy is shifting, leaving Indigenous people out means everyone loses.

The conversation around economic reconciliation is finally moving from abstract policy discussions to concrete changes that could transform how business happens in Canada's North.