Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)

Economic Development Officers (EDOs) need to be thoroughly trained, highly skilled and committed to building economic capacity in order to provide professional support and technical advice to their communities and organizations. In 1990, EDOs from across Canada founded and mandated the Cando to provide a national body to focus on the training, education and networking opportunities necessary to serve their communities and/or organizations as professionals. Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) is a federally registered, non-profit society that is Aboriginal controlled, community based, and membership driven. Cando is directed by a national regionally represented volunteer board of elected EDOs representing every region of Canada. Cando has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships with EDOs, academics, Aboriginal leaders and senior corporate and government representatives. Cando is unique because it is the only national organization that focuses on education and professional development for EDOs working in Aboriginal communities or organizations.