This research project developed a new digitally-based community assessment tool designed for and designed with Indigenous communities. The interns at the University of Winnipeg assisted the Indigenous owned and led digital technology company, Function Four Ltd. (F4), in expanding the company’s ICT-focused community assessment experience and tools to create a comprehensive economic development readiness assessment tool. This tool created an assessment foundation that can incorporate assessments for critical infrastructure, food security, health, and sovereign wealth creation for both Indigenous, rural and remote communities. The outcome of this project was a broad systematic literature review on wise practices for conducting community assessments tailored for and respectful of Indigenous communities and culture. The report from this systematic review can be found in the Knowledge Products section.

The development of the assessment tool is being done in collaboration with F4 and will engage Indigenous advisors and community leaders throughout the research process. This digital community assessment is part of F4’s work on a circular economy farm model initiative for Indigenous communities and the assessment will assist communities in determining their readiness for the farm and provide the tools to address the gaps.