Measuring Economic Impact: The Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Case
For generations, colonial policy limited and constrained First Nations' governance and economic authority. Today, Nations across British Columbia are rebuilding institutions, implementing treaty agreements, and exercising jurisdiction within their territories.
As this governance strengthens, so does economic presence.
Yet dominant narratives about regional economies still tend to centre industry while overlooking the role of First Nations governments as employers, investors, and economic drivers. When such contributions are not measured, they are often undervalued. Economic invisibility can reinforce harmful assumptions about who drives development and who does not.
The Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government (NLG) chose to measure its impact.
More Than $100 Million in Annual Spending
Like many First Nations governments, NLG is responsible for governance, education, health services, infrastructure, and economic development. Its annual operational spending exceeds $100 million. Those expenditures flow to local contractors, regional suppliers, wages, and services across northwest British Columbia. However, without quantified analysis, it is difficult to demonstrate how that spending circulates through the broader economy or how it compares to other sectors.
NLG partnered with the BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre (RIGC) to examine this question using a structured, evidence-based approach.
““It underscores the significant economic contributions regional self-governments and Nations make to local communities and regional economies.””
$1.9 Billion in Regional Output (2019–2024)
RIGC and NLG collaborated to develop a custom regional Input–Output model tailored specifically to the North Coast–Nechako economy. Rather than relying solely on provincial-level models, the analysis was designed to reflect the economic structure of northwest BC and the fiscal realities of First Nations governance.
Using six years of financial data (2019–2024), the findings were clear:
Nearly $1.9 billion in total gross output generated regionally
$760 million in GDP contributed to the regional economy
$400 million in wages and earnings over six years
An average of 1,648 full-time equivalent jobs supported annually
During the same period, NLG’s operations supported more jobs in the North Coast region than the forestry sector.
For Every $1 Spent, $2.83 Circulated Regionally
The multiplier effect was also significant: for every $1 spent by NLG, an average of $2.83 in gross output was generated within the regional economy.
This analysis did not create economic impact. It made existing contributions visible.
Measuring Impact to Support Governance
With major industrial projects underway across the region, the ability to monitor economic conditions and shifts is increasingly important. Quantified analysis supports strategic planning, strengthens intergovernmental discussions, and informs funding and policy conversations. It provides evidence to support what Nations already know about their role in regional economies.
When Nations can measure and interpret their own data, they are better positioned to engage on equal footing in economic and policy discussions.
““This work supports our broader monitoring efforts to assess the Nation’s socio-economic impact as significant industrial developments unfold in the Northwest.””
Building a First Nations-Specific Model
The model developed through this project was not off-the-shelf.
NLG and the BC RIGC co-developed an Input–Output model tailored to the fiscal and governance realities of First Nations governments. Conventional provincial models are typically structured around industry sectors and may not fully capture the role of Nations as public governments, employers, and economic actors.
By building a model to reflect First Nations governance structures and regional economic conditions, this project created a tool that can be updated and applied over time.
Importantly, the model is not limited to one Nation. The framework developed through this collaboration is now available to other Nations interested in assessing their own economic contributions within their regions and territories, on both individual and collective bases.
What’s Next
The economic contribution model developed through this project is available to other Nations interested in understanding and quantifying their economic contribution. The starting point is often the operational and financial data already being collected.
If your Nation is interested in understanding its economic contribution, we invite you to explore the report and connect with the BC RIGC to discuss options appropriate to your context.
