SFNS formally launched the SFNS Economic Toolkit (SET) in 2022. This free online toolkit contains a series of tools to strengthen our regional First Nation economy, including a skills and job bank to support hiring locally, a business directory to support buying local, a business viability tool to support local business development and more!
Background
Youth Asset Mappers
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In 2015, SFNS member First Nations expressed interest in collaborating on an economic development project to strengthen the regional First Nation's economy. In response, SFNS has been working, since 2016, on a multi-staged Regional Economic Leakage Study with the support of Sisco and Associates.
We have taken a community-based partnership approach collaborating with a working committee of representatives of member First Nations’ leadership and administration (working in economic development), as well as Elders and Youth Community Research Assistants. It was important to the committee that the findings from the study be useable to First Nation staff and community and not just another report to sit on the shelf. As a result, the SFNS Economic Toolkit was developed. |
Who can use the SET?
The SFNS Economic Toolkit was designed and targeted for use by SFNS’ seven member First Nations*. The Skills and Job Bank, Business Directory and Capacity Development tools are accessible by job seekers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous employers, and business owners. The Business Viability Tool, Community Asset Maps and Group Purchasing Tools are accessible by a representative at your SFNS member First Nation. Please reach out to your Economic Development department to learn more. In the future we expect to open our publicly accessible tools to surrounding Indigenous communities for registration. Please check this website regularly for any updates!
How can the SET benefit you?
Skills & Job Bank
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Skills & Job BankThe SFNS Skills & Job Bank is designed to support “hiring local”. The tool allows community members of SFNS member First Nations to register as candidates for job and apprenticeship positions with employers, by completing a brief profile of their skills, experience, and qualifications. Community members can also search the Skills & Job Bank for job opportunities.
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This video explores how SET is beneficial to employers.
Business Directory
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Business DirectoryThe SFNS Business Directory is designed to support “buying local”. The tool allows SFNS member First Nation entrepreneurs to register for the directory, which is searchable by employers looking for local suppliers and contractors.
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Capacity Development Tool
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Capacity Development ToolWe are pleased to share that SFNS is currently working on developing a Capacity Development Tool, which will be added to the SFNS Economic Toolkit! The purpose of the Capacity Development Tool is to support members of SFNS First Nations who are looking to upgrade skills, knowledge, and credentials by matching users' skills, interests, and availability, as well as preferred program features with education programs offered by SFNS Post-Secondary Education Collaborative member institutions.
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The tools below are accessible through your local Economic Development department. For more information contact your Ec Dev Representative or by emailing [email protected].
Business Viability Tool
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Business Viability ToolThe SFNS Business Viability Tool is designed to support “developing local business”. The tool provides members who wish to explore entrepreneurship to test the viability of their business concept, by selecting their target market and product/service to calculate their total potential revenue and leakage recapture.
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This video is for aspiring or current entrepreneurs who want to understand how SET can help them.
Community Asset Maps
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Community Asset MapsAn interactive map that shares SFNS member First Nations' community assets / strengths for economic development planning identified by community youth, Elders and other members. This tool is accessible to member First Nation Economic Dev Representatives, who may share with community members by request.
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Group Purchasing Tool
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Group Purchasing ToolA data-driven tool that allows SFNS member First Nations' to calculate how much your First Nation could save by negotiating group purchasing agreements with shared vendors, which varies by product/service area and which member First Nations engage. This tool is accessible to member First Nation Economic Dev Representatives, who may share with community members by request.
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Visit www.sfnsgetset.com to get started!
*Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point, Chippewas of the Thames, Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation), Munsee-Delaware Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames.
