Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation
The mikas is an aboriginal corporation dealing with financial and business development services. It plays a major role in helping Nuu-chah-nulth communities by seizing all existing and emerging opportunities and building on the new economy. It encourages rural economic development and entrepreneurship through services available to all Aboriginal people living and operating in the Nuu-chah-nulth Territory (NEDC, 2008a). NEDC is owned by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations who provide the direction and sets priorities for the NEDC. Within Nuu-chah-nulth territories services are offered more broadly to all Nuu-chah-nulth, Aboriginal and Métis peoples  — free of charge. Some programs are offered throughout Vancouver Island and on the Mainland. If a Nuu-chah-nulth person needs services outside of the province, NEDC will put that person into contact with the organisation that provides similar services in that locality. Federal and provincial economic development programs are provided through this corporation. Contribution programs include:
- Commercial financing
- Business support (e.g., business planning)
- One-on-one business counselling
- Business workshops and conferences
NEDC partners with several organizations to deliver the best funding package to their clients. Some programs are run in cooperation with Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) and can be found on the ABC website (www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/abc/index-eng.asp) or from the links on the NEDC website through the NEDC Business Equity Program webpage (www.nedc.info/bep.php). Some of NEDC's other partners include Western Economic Diversification, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Business Development Bank of Canada, and the New Relationship Trust. Due to the increasing number of successful First Nations business that have arisen over the past few years, the NEDC has compiled a business directory to help people find enterprises that match their inquiries. It also serves as a great tool to inspire other First Nations people to become entrepreneurs and the NEDC is there to help. The directory is organized by business category and contains contact information for all of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation Bands. This can be a valuable, online tool for those exploring NEDC opportunities with and within Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. The Board of Directors for NEDC represents the 14 member Tribes of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC), 5 members-at-large and an appointee from the NTC.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) was incorporated in 1984 under the Canada Corporations Act as a not-for-profit organization. Although it is not tied directly to the NTC, it was formed to help the Nuu-chah-nulth people achieve economic and social independence by providing financial assistance and advisory services (NEDC, 2008a). NEDC manages a number of funding programs aimed at enhancing economic development in the region.