By Rajitha Sivakumaran
C
anada’s Aboriginal population is the fastest growing ethnic group in
the country. The last five years have resulted in a growth of 22 per-
cent, and half of the population is under the age of 25! But the popu-
lation isn’t the only thing that’s growing. Involvement in entrepreneurship
has been soaring as well, thanks to encouragement and support from First
Nations and Canadian governance.
In New Brunswick, one First Nations group is vigorously approaching eco-
nomic development via a unique route. The Madawaska Maliseet First Na-
tion, based out of Edmundston, New Brunswick, has a chief and council like
every other Indigenous group, but there is a separate body that deals with
bringing business to the area.That task is the sole responsibility of the Mada-
OCTOBER 2016
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business elite canada
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