Connecting with Bryce Starlight on Taza’s Vision of Economic Prosperity and Cultural Integration

Businesses and thought leaders across Canada are taking notice of Taza as a leader in Indigenous economic development. As the largest First Nations master-planned development in North America, Taza’s innovative planning and community design has caught the attention of Indigenous communities, economists, and developers. 

Bryce Starlight, Vice President, Business Development at Taza, plays an important role by working closely with Tsuut'ina Nation and its members along with Canderel to ensure effective collaboration. This partnership combines industry expertise, Indigenous leadership and collaborative decision-making between the partners. This innovative development will create a diverse and prosperous economy for the Nation, ensuring it is sustainable in both the short term and long term. Taza was recently recognized on the Indigenomics 10 to Watch List, and Starlight has spoken at multiple economic conferences to share learnings, insights and an inspiring vision for the future. Read on below to learn what he shared.

A Visionary Approach to Indigenous-Led Development 

Taza has been recognized by the Indigenomics Institute as one of 10 businesses, partnerships or initiatives that demonstrate leadership in the Indigenous economy. The annual “Indigenomics 10 to Watch list” showcases and celebrates leadership in building economic reconciliation, inclusion, innovation and designing business relationships to support the growth of the Indigenous economy.

The Indigenomics Institute shared, “Taza is a groundbreaking real estate initiative on First Nations land that stands as a testament to the strength and partnership between Indigenous communities and modern urban development principles…It is transforming the economic landscape for both Tsuut’ina Nation and the wider Calgary region through a unique approach that merges sustainability, Indigenous cultural values and economic growth.”

Taza is building a pathway toward economic sovereignty by developing income-earning systems within reserve lands that participate in the overall Canadian economy. Historically, restrictions to land uses, access to capital sources and approval processes have limited Indigenous communities from participating in the broader economy. With Taza, Tsuut’ina Nation can apply its revenue portion generated by the project to areas the community defines as important.

Blending Art, Culture & Economic Prosperity in North America's Largest First Nation Development

 The long-term economic prosperity of Taza balances working towards environmentally friendly principles, responsible stewardship, and respect for the land, water, and cultural values of Tsuut’ina Nation, while adhering to thoughtful and respectful development practices. This inclusion ensures that Taza considers the needs and constraints that Tsuut'ina has from a land use and resource standpoint, and serves both the present community members and generations to come.

Taza was recently recognized by the Indigenomics Institute for integrating Indigenous culture into the community. They share, “Taza’s design incorporates input from local Indigenous artists who collaborate with architects to ensure that cultural representation is thoughtful and meaningful. This collaboration manifests in various forms, including landscaping, masonry work, and even the Taza logo, which was developed by a branding expert alongside two local [Tsuut’ina] artists.”

Through the thoughtful integration of sustainability, art, and culture, Taza sets a new precedent for developments that align cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.

Taza Aims to Add More Housing and Build Stronger Communities, Addressing Housing Demand

Canada’s demand for more housing and diverse living spaces continues to rise, and according to a recent Globe and Mail article, First Nations will be part of the solution. Indigenous communities across the country, including Tsuut’ina Nation, are developing land to create sustainable economic prosperity while increasing housing supply for the market. Taza’s master-planned community on 1,200 acres of the Tsuut’ina Nation’s land will include close to 12,000 residential units. Starlight shares, “Taza is not just inspiring for our own people, it’s inspiring for everyone with development opportunities.”

Businesses Look to Taza as a Leader in Canadian Indigenous Economics

Bryce Starlight has devoted his career to improving Indigenous communities and promoting cultural awareness. Now holding the position of Vice President, Business Development at Taza, Starlight is an accomplished thought leader in Canada’s economic industry. In recent months, he has participated in important national conversations, both as a speaker and moderator at a variety of conferences and events.

• Canada Productivity Summit: Bryce moderated at the 2024 Canada Productivity Summit. This event brought together business and community leaders, economists, policymakers, scholars, and more to identify opportunities for improvement across sectors and craft actionable recommendations for policymakers.
  
• Indigenomics BAY STREET: This annual national Indigenous economic conference invites changemakers, innovators, government and Ieaders to highlight and establish impactful outcomes in economic reconciliation through the Indigenous economy. This year's conference explored the capital, resource, structure and leadership requirements for building Indigenous economic success.

• 2024 Cando Conference: This national event focuses exclusively on excellence in Indigenous Economic Development. Starlight led the Keynote, “Preserving Legacy While Embracing Change: The Power of Partnerships in On-Reserve Development”. His presentation focused on how Taza has structured itself to respond at the speed of business while balancing working towards a governance and approvals system that aligns with Tsuut'ina's long-term strategies and values around treaty rights and Crown-First Nation relations.

Indigenous-Led Development Promises a Bright Future

With Taza’s continued growth and a bold vision for the future, the innovative development will act as an inspiring example of Indigenous economic prosperity. Applying sustainable design, cultural integration and thoughtful collaboration, it will set a new precedent for both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous community development. Tsuut’ina Nation and Canderel demonstrate how Indigenous communities and corporate partners can work collaboratively to create developments that benefit both parties while staying true to Indigenous values and ensuring long-term economic viability for future generations. 

Starlight shares, “There is a lot of leadership that’s required in this, and it means that we have to set an example of how Indigenous-led developments can thrive while respecting cultural values and sustainability.” 
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