Indigenomics in action—moving beyond Indian Act economics towards Indigenous economic sovereignty

In this groundbreaking new work, Carol Anne Hilton, author of the bestselling Indigenomics, explores the phenomenon of growing Indigenous economic power and sovereignty, achieved despite monumental historic injustices.

The Indigenous economy in Canada is on track to exceed $100 billion. Yet full Indigenous participation at the economic table is still fundamentally lacking, due in large part to the inherently colonial and racist policies of the Indian Act. Hilton deconstructs these systemic barriers and maps an ethical way forward based on radical inclusion and Indigenomics in action.

What’s Inside:

  • The far-reaching social and moral consequences of Indian Act economics—a tool used to legislate away Indigenous rights and jurisdiction with the express purpose of erasing First Nations
  • The true cost of maintaining the status quo, from perpetuating inequality and cycles of Indigenous poverty, to lost opportunities for value-creation in Indigenous and settler economies
  • Twenty-five transformative trends driving Indigenous economic growth.

Required reading for Indigenous organizations, Nations, and allies; business leaders and investors; lawyers and policymakers; governments at all levels; and everyone interested in reconciliation, decolonization, and building a just, prosperous, and inclusive society.

Praise for the book

Hilton’s work reaffirms the significance of relationship economics. Her words clearly illustrate that Indigenomics is the path for the future. As we move through the portal of this time, knowing that pandemics change our world, let’s walk through to a path of restorative economics, founded on land, spirit, and the reality of Mother Earth’s wealth, which is our responsibility to acknowledge and respect. The time of Keynesian economic analysis has passed, along with the empire. The time of cooperation is here.
—Winona LaDuke, executive director, Honor the Earth

Carol Anne Hilton mounts a convincing case that the rigidity of the Indian Act has put the rest of Canada in a static status-quo headspace that sees Indigenous Peoples as taken care of; meaning they don’t see how adept they are in their economic empowerment as they consistently score in the open net.
—Bill Gallagher, resource strategist

The Rise of Indigenous Economic Power challenges conventional narratives of Indigenous economic progress, instead illuminating the transformative opportunities that Indigenomics offers for shaping Canada’s future. Carol Anne Hilton brings a refreshingly insightful perspective, presenting Indigenomics as a dynamic pathway to equitable Indigenous economic liberation and advancement.
—Ruth Mojeed Ramirez, Chief Equity Officer, The Inclusion Project

A comprehensively insightful guide for advancing Indigenous economic growth and inclusion. Well-researched, it illuminates Indigenous knowledge systems, business practices, and cultural narratives that can reimagine economic models for our communities and planet. Indigenomics is a future that’s being realized today.
—Vinod Rajasekaran, CEO, Future of Good

Over the past few years, described and motivated by Carol Anne’s stellar writing and tireless speaking tours, the Indigenous economy has grown in leaps and bounds. Chided for believing that a target of $100 billion in Indigenous economic activity was possible, Carol Anne shows how the Indigenous resurgence will blow well past the $100 billion target, bringing prosperity — finally — back to the lives of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. This wonderful and powerful book is an essential primer for those seeking to understand and celebrate the economic rebirth of Indigenous communities.
—Ken Coates, professor emeritus, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan