The Indigenous Prosperity Centre will:
Collaboration
through
Connection
The Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC) is committed to the self-directed economic vision of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples on Southern Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia. In doing so, the Indigenous-led IPC strengthens the entire economic ecosystem — because a truly successful economy is an inclusive economy.
Collaboration
through
Connection
The Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC) is committed to the self-directed economic vision of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples on Southern Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia. In doing so, the Indigenous-led IPC strengthens the entire economic ecosystem — because a truly successful economy is an inclusive economy.
Economic reconciliation is for all peoples of Canada
Economic reconciliation aims to create meaningful partnerships based on a holistic, values-driven approach to attaining community economic prosperity. Our economy cannot move forward until it fully includes First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.
“Economic reconciliation is a form of reconciliation in action.”
Christina ClarkeExecutive Director, Indigenous Prosperity Centre
Our Purpose and Path
Economic reconciliation needs Indigenous thought leadership — for the benefit of this Southern Vancouver Island, B.C. and all of Canada. Indigenous Peoples bring multiple strengths and unique knowledge with which to reshape and build a robust economy.
- promote Indigenous-led prosperity tactics and strategies that balance community wellbeing and values
- promote and protect Indigenous-led innovation while supporting the stewardship of ocean resources
- create meaningful partnerships and mutually beneficial opportunities based on a values-driven approach to attaining shared community economic prosperity
- augment and amplify economic and workforce development activities at an individual Nation level while providing essential services to smaller Nations and off-reserve Indigenous Peoples
Call to Action
The call to action for the Indigenous Prosperity Centre was raised by the Rising Economy Taskforce’s Indigenous Economy Committee and emphasized in Reboot: Greater Victoria’s Economic Recovery Plan, a multi-sector report released in November 2020.
That call to action has become a reality as the IPC begins fulfilling the vision of supporting Indigenous communities to achieve self-defined economic resilience.
“The pandemic has highlighted the need for the Indigenous economy — its workers, businesses and members — to diversify and increase resilience.”
Rising Economy TaskforceIndigenous Economy Committee Report, Aug 2020
Areas of Focus
Thought Leadership, Engagement & Understanding
- Act as a connectivity hub for information-sharing for Indigenous people and non-Indigenous businesses through workshops, forums, virtual talks, marketing, engagement and events.
- Promote Indigenous economic development success stories, blue economy innovation and Indigenous economy perspectives.
Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Research
- Access and develop opportunities in the ocean and marine sector — a key area of economic activity for South Island First Nations. Areas of interest include data collection; environmental monitoring, AUV, ROV and robotics, marine waste management, aquaculture and marine tourism.
Partnership & Training Development
- Facilitate, connect and grow Indigenous partnerships, the blue economy ecosystem and business networks.
- Provide non-Indigenous business owners with opportunities to increase their understanding and implementation of Indigenous economic reconciliation while increasing Indigenous innovation capacity in the ocean and marine sectors.
- Coordinate innovation-supporting initiatives and specialized training, such as micro-credentials and tech skills, for workforce and entrepreneurship development.
Pathways to Procurement
- Find, share and advocate for opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
- Support Indigenous businesses to successfully bid and secure contracts for the growth and development of their businesses.
- Provide an Indigenous lens to inform procurement processes.
Executive Director
“We have all the ingredients for a thriving economy and true prosperity, defined in the broadest sense to include well-being for everyone and our environment. To get there, we need to work as One. As we bring our strengths together, across all sectors, in an ecosystem that supports innovation, collaboration and inclusion, the Indigenous Prosperity Centre will create a connection point for Indigenous business and communities.”
Christina Clarke
Christina Clarke is Executive Director of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, a not-for-profit committed to the self-directed economic vision of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples throughout Southern Vancouver Island.
Before joining the IPC, Christina spent 27 years with the Songhees Nation, serving as Senior Finance Manager, Executive Director and finally as inaugural CEO of the Songhees Development Corporation, overseeing three companies and partnerships in Tourism & Hospitality, Property Holdings, Cannabis Retail and Marine Industry.
A graduate of the University of Victoria (UVic), Christina honours her NunatuKavut (Inuit-European) ancestry through her Mother and is proud of her first generation Irish Canadian Father. She looks forward to facilitating the economic goals of First Nations and Indigenous people as co-creators of an inclusive economy.
Christina is a board member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a former board member of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and South Island Prosperity Partnership. In 2022, she was appointed to UVic’s Board of Governors.
Communications Specialist
Tarrin Sam
Tarrin Sam is a proud member of the Lekwungen First Nation, hailing from the Sam family, and is studying for her Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing at Camosun College. She joins IPC from her previous position as Communications Coordinator for the Songhees Nation, where she gained invaluable experience in communications, media, and Indigenous engagement. Tarrin is committed to creating meaningful and lasting change in the region and eager to help the Indigenous Prosperity Centre reach its goals and make a positive impact in the communities it serves.
Advisory Board
The Indigenous Prosperity Centre Working Group, together with South Island Prosperity Partnership, supports the collaborative vision and development of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre.
“Economic reconciliation is a considered approach to creating equitable, just and sustainable opportunities for all Nations and Indigenous Peoples.”
Dr. Susanne ThiessenIPC Working Group
Dr. Susanne Thiessen
Assistant Professor, Indigenous Community Development, University of Victoria; Board Director, South Island Prosperity Partnership
Eva Shaffer
Marine Liaison and Communications Officer, T’Sou-ke First Nation
Ron Rice - Wush'q
Victoria Native Friendship Centre Executive Director
Kear Porttris
Director, Indigenous Relations, QM Environmental; Board Director, South Island Prosperity Partnership
Your support makes a difference
The Indigenous Prosperity Centre seeks corporate sponsors to be part of meaningful, positive change that supports reconciliation & benefits us all.
Contact Us
- Accelerate high-impact, Indigenous-led economic action plans. The IPC represents a positive and meaningful opportunity to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Invest in our region’s long-term untapped potential. More than 1.6 million Indigenous people live in Canada, and 44% are under 24. In a country with an ageing demographic, these young people represent our future.
- Empower Canada’s fastest-growing population group to design their own economic agenda. The IPC is a collaborative opportunity for sponsors to support the people, ideas and activities that strengthen the economic fabric of our region and add to its diversity and resilience.
Territorial Acknowledgement
We are grateful to be doing our work on the territories of the Coast Salish and Nuu-Chah-Nulth peoples.
These are the Lək̓ ʷəŋən speaking peoples (Xwsepsum [Esquimalt] and Songhees Nations), the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples (SȾÁUTW̱ – Tsawout, BOḰEĆEN – Pauquachin, W̱ JOȽEȽP – Tsartlip, W̱SIḴEM –Tseycum Nations, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat Nation), Scia’new Nation (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke Nation, and Nuu-chah-nulth speaking peoples, Pacheedaht Nation.
We respect and honour the Indigenous peoples who have thrived for millennia as the innovators, traders and stewards of these lands. We deeply value this connection.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our founding partners:
