Stó:lō Community Entrepreneurship and Economics: Rebuilding the Circle

Abstract

The focus of this article is economic and business organization at the Stó:lō First Nation in British Columbia, Canada-although as for most indigenous peoples, Stó:lō economics implicates Stó:lō culture, place, identity, and history. 1 Tellingly, stó:lō means "the river" or "people of the river," referring to what is now generally known as the Fraser River. 2 The modern Stó:lō First Nation is made up of ten communities, or bands, in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. 3 Indigenous community economic vitality requires social, cultural, and environmental sustainability; the health of the land cannot be separated from individual and social health. 4 Indeed, the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development recognized in 2002 that environmental, social, and economic sustainability development was the critical "triple bottom line" for all communities, indigenous and nonindigenous, around the globe. 5

Reconciliation and industrial–organizational psychology in Canada.

“…In terms of corporate social responsibility, between 69% and 81% of Canadians agree that Canadian corporations should include (e.g., supply chain) and support (e.g., mentorship and training) Indigenous businesses, 80% see them as strengthening the country, and 76% view support for Indigenous businesses as an important pathway to more amicable Settler-Indigenous relations (Sodexo, 2017). Research that aids Indigenous employers and business owners is clearly needed, but while success stories exist on a case-by-case basis (James & Victor, 2017), lessons learned are not being compiled nor are longer-term research agendas being defined to improve on them. The lack of consistently measured constructs, unified terminology, committed disciplines (e.g., Indigenous Studies), or dedicated journals and academic programs hinder knowledge development and transfer.…”