Download the full report: Indigenous Economy Report

$9.3 billion. That’s the amount that Indigenous people in Manitoba spent in 2016—through Indigenous businesses, governments, household spending, and spending on infrastructure. The bulk of that spending was by over 700 Indigenous businesses in the province. How did all this spending impact the economy? The economic impact of Indigenous people in Manitoba was measured in four ways, indicating that they

• created and maintained over 35,700 jobs,
• contributed $2.3 billion to Manitoba’s GDP,
• provided $1.3 billion in wages and salaries to workers, and
• contributed $231 million in taxes to the federal and provincial governments.

The Indigenous contribution to Manitoba’s GDP is more than either manufacturing, accommodations and food services, or mining and oil and gas extraction.

Although the impact of Indigenous people is large, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people could be making an even greater impact. Indigenous people make up 18% of the population of Manitoba and that’s growing. On average, Indigenous people are younger. They represent the future of Manitoba. Economic development of Indigenous communities is key to maximizing this potential. Increasingly, urban reserves are proving to be an important strategy for community economic development.

Indigenous Contributions to the Manitoba Economy has four major parts:

• an economic impact analysis of Indigenous spending in Manitoba, with results provided for Manitoba’s North and South,
• an economic impact analysis looking at First Nations spending specifically,
• a study of seven of Manitoba’s eight urban reserves with profiles of the reserves, and
• population and labour force projections of Indigenous people, and First Nations people in particular, to 2026.

The Indigenous Contributions to the Manitoba Economy research project was conducted in partnership by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., and the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University.

Download the full report: Indigenous Economy Report (36 MB)

Download the Infographic: Indigenous Economy Infographic (8 MB)

Download the Technical Brief: Indigenous Economy Technical Brief (6 MB)

Watch a short video of the report launch

Download the report by chapter:

Download Chapter 1: Indigenous Economy Chapter 1 (13 MB)

Download Chapter 2: Indigenous Economy Chapter 2 (4 MB)

Download Chapter 3: Indigenous Economy Chapter 3 (9 MB)

Download Chapter 4: Indigenous Economy Chapter 4 (14 MB)

Download Chapter 5: Indigenous Economy Chapter 5 (4 MB)