Indigi-X Virtual Exchange
Over the past four weeks, 22 Indigenous professionals from Kaná:ta’ (Canada) and Aotearoa (New Zealand) participated in the inaugural Indigi-X Virtual Exchange programme.
The programme was founded by Raylene Whitford, CEO of Canative Energy, an indigenous owned social enterprise in Canada, and Chris Karamea Insley, CEO of Te Arawa Fisheries and Chair of Te Taumata – a Māori Trade Advisory Group to the government of New Zealand. They created the programme to facilitate connections between Indigenous Professionals to address trade, economic and enterprise issues affecting Indigenous Peoples in both countries. The programme was supported by the High Commissions of New Zealand and Canada.
As part of the programme, delegates worked in smaller groups to unpack a range of issues and opportunities that could support the regeneration of Indigenous economies, as each of their countries prepares for a period of economic recovery, as a result of the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday 18 July 2020, this inaugural Indigi-X cohort presented a snapshot of the work they had been doing over the past four weeks to distinguished leaders including Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Māori Development and Associate Minister for Trade & Export Growth (New Zealand/Aotearoa) and Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations (Canada/Kaná:ta’).
Opinio Native was honoured to participate in an all wāhine group alongside four spectacular women who brought a significant level of insight, expertise and experience to the dialogue.
The group comprised:
Aroha Dorset, Te Arawa Fisheries Ltd, Aotearoa
Tania Te Whenua, Te Whenua Law & Consulting, Aotearoa
Vanessa Mountain, Four Our Future Indigenous Economics Ltd, Kaná:ta’
Krystal Abotossaway, TD Bank Canada, Kaná:ta’
Carrie Stoddart-Smith, Opinio Native Aotearoa Ltd, Aotearoa
The primary question they sought to explore was:
How might we reposition more Indigenous Peoples to become the owners and drivers of digitally based enterprises and support them with the technologies, capabilities and capacity building they need to channel the virtual trade winds to benefit their communities and minimise the effects of an imminent global recession.
While a Summary Report is currently being finalised, you can view a copy of their snapshot presentation I2I* post COVID e-conomies: Mastering our virtual trade winds through e-commerce and digital enablement below.
If you would like to connect with this group to explore the contents of their presentation further, you can reach out to them directly (via the links to their companies above) or contact us by following the button link below. We’d love to hear from you
*Note: I2I = Indigenous to Indigenous
