Carol Anne Hilton, of Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island, founded the Indigenomics Institute to strengthen Indigenous economic capacity. She is banking on her future vision of a $100 billion Indigenous economy in Canada.
Carol Anne Hilton is often referred to as a futurist — a person who explores not only predictions but possibilities for the future.
Her business, Indigenomics Institute, is founded on the future vision of a thriving and sustainable $100 billion Indigenous economy in Canada.
Standing by her vision has required she bring all her confidence, passion and faith to the table. As she recently shared on LinkedIn:
“It has taken a lot of courage to stand in my truth, to be clear in what I am saying in developing Indigenomics. I have always said Indigenomics chose me. Some have said ‘How dare she say a 100 billion dollar Indigenous economy? Who does she think she is?’ Some have said ‘It’s just a hashtag!’ I believe in possibility, imagination and I believe our people are powerful beyond measure, I believe in Indigenous resilience and excellence and I am willing to stand in that truth every single day. Some days take more courage than others. I do so much public speaking nationally and internationally I always end my talk with ‘Let’s have the courage to do this together! Who wants to play Indigenomics?!’”
Indigenomics, her platform for changemakers to explore Indigenous economic development and economies, is gaining greater visibility following her recent receipt of the 2020 Indigenous Business Award of Distinction from the BC Achievement Foundation, which created an online digital campaign that honors Hilton’s vision.
“Carol Anne is an exceptional leader whose strategic vision is helping to foster Indigenous entrepreneurship here in her home province, throughout Canada and beyond,” said Anne Giardini, O.C., O.B.C., Q.C., chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “We at BC Achievement, are honoured to highlight Carol Anne’s many successes and to celebrate the ways in which she inspires change through the #Indigenomics movement.”
Hilton is of Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island. The CEO and Founder of The Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics, Hilton has established herself as a dynamic national Indigenous business leader and senior adviser with an international Masters Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England.
Hilton’s movement all stems from a single line of thought summed up as Indigenomics, focused on the rebuilding and strengthening of Indigenous economies. Hilton is also the author of ‘Indigenomics: Taking A Seat at the Economic Table’ and is an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University School of Business.
Hilton served on the BC Emerging Economy Task Force, the BC Indigenous Business and Investment Council, and was the only Indigenous person appointed to the Canadian Economic Growth Council. Her work has been recognized with the national Excellence in Aboriginal Relations Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
“The narrative of growing Indigenous business success is expected to sky rocket over the next decade,” states indigenomicsinstitute.com/100-billion.
Hilton currently serves as a Director on the McGill University Institute for the Study of Canada, the BC Digital Supercluster and recently as a juror on the Canadian Smart Cities Challenge.
The Award of Distinction from the BC Achievement Foundation recognizes a person who has made a significant impact in the Indigenous business community and in so doing serves as an inspiration to everyone.
Indigenomics seeks to disrupt the way society views the economic potential of Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs, and thus the resources and opportunities that naturally flow their way.
“We need to view Indigenous peoples as economic powerhouses and when we view Indigenous peoples as a powerful economic strength, it shifts from a policy perspective, it shifts how we make decisions, it shifts how we invest into the indigenous economy, and it shifts a narrative that’s hundreds of years old of seeing Indigenous peoples as a problem or a burden on the system,” Hilton says.
