My Journey with the Chamber

By Daniel Yeboah, 2nd year MDP student

As a final-year Masters in Development Practice (MDP) student in the Indigenous Stream, I recently completed my second field placement with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. This experience offered me a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful policy work at the intersection of Indigenous economic development and government relations.

During my placement, I served as a Research & Policy Analyst, working closely with my mentor, the President & CEO, Renee Greyeyes of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. My main focus was on procurement policy and treaty research. I helped the ICC to collaborate with the provincial government to update the Indigenous Procurement Initiative, which has not been effective for some time. I also worked with the ICC to encourage better Indigenous Procurement Standards for the City of Winnipeg, advocating for a standalone Indigenous procurement policy—separate from broader social procurement frameworks. At the ICC, we believe that Indigenous procurement should reflect the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown, not be subsumed under general Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Indigenous businesses deserve equitable access to opportunities that go beyond employment, fostering sustainable economic growth and true reconciliation.

My role also involved supporting the projects and events team. I conducted background research on partners and stakeholders to ensure our engagements were informed and impactful. I also conducted broader research into treaties (both formal and informal) to understand how they could be activated towards economic reconciliation.

This placement has deepened my appreciation for the complex policy landscape surrounding Indigenous economic development and further reinforced my belief that targeted procurement policies are essential for Indigenous economic self-determination. I am grateful for the mentorship and collaborative spirit at the ICC, and for the chance to contribute to work that truly matters.