In an article entitled, A business leader at home in a ‘trapper’s cabin and a corporate boardroom’, The Globe and Mail highlights the accomplishments of Dr. Marie Delorme as she discusses COVID-19 business challenges, leadership virtues, ally ship and the future of Indigenous business.

“There are more than 50,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada, spanning all sectors and contributing $32-billion annually to the country’s GDP. This contribution could grow to $100-billion through procurement, investment and partnerships with governments and industry. Those are a lot of reasons to be optimistic.”

Read the full article here

Victoria LaBillois, Vice-Chairperson of the NIEDB, participated as a witness in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) on December 5, 2022.

During this session, Victoria LaBillois spoke to the issue of diversity in procurement. The official recommendations put forth by the NIEDB are as follows:

• Significant investment is necessary for the establishment of a new Indigenous-led procurement institution at the national level;
• Very low current thresholds for non-competitive processes and sole-source contracting must be increased;
• The target for the total value of federal contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses should be proportionally higher than 5% where geographically warranted;
• Training on Indigenous cultural awareness for procurement officials should be mandatory; and,
• The government should monitor and report on an annual basis, distinct from other reporting processes, whether or not each federal department is meeting its mandated 5% Indigenous procurement target.

Additional witnesses:

• Philip Ducharme, Vice President, Entrepreneurship and Procurement, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
• Ray Wanuch, Executive Director, Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers
• Shannin Metatawabin, Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Read the full transcript here

Dawn Madahbee Leach, Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), accompanied the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to Aotearoa-New Zealand from August 20 to 28, 2022, and was joined on Canada’s Indigenous delegation by Dr. Brenda Gunn, of the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, Gerri Sharpe, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and Sharon Nate, Executive Director (Education) of the Matawa Tribal Council.

During this visit (August 24), Minister Hajdu signed the Indigenous Collaboration Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Aotearoa-New Zealand. The Arrangement will promote and facilitate the socio-economic, political, educational, well-being, cultural and environmental advancements of Indigenous peoples in both countries.

“The deepening of the Canada-New Zealand relationship on Indigenous trade issues and inter-governmental collaboration is a powerful catalyst for change. Both Canada and New Zealand are beginning to understand the value and complexities of Indigenous knowledge and kinship. Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike prosper when Indigenous jurisdiction and authority, and cultural values and languages, are affirmed and celebrated, when fair solutions to land-related claims are implemented, and when reliable community infrastructure is realized.”

Dawn Madahbee Leach
Chairperson of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board

Full Press Release

“Defining Indigenous Businesses in Canada” is a report commissioned by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) on behalf of national Indigenous organizations who comprise the National Indigenous Procurement Working Group (NIPWG). It presents proposed definitions of Indigenous Businesses for use in Canada.

Drawing on various national and international descriptions, the definitions are comprised of three core elements:

1. The requirement for Indigenous business owners, directors of Indigenous companies, and in the case of cooperatives – voting members, to provide evidence of Indigenous identity as demonstrated through a legitimate Indigenous identity?issuing organization or entity.
2. Entrepreneurs and small business owners should also demonstrate that they possess the relevant expertise and credentials to own the business and the capacity to actively engage in operating the business.
3. A minimum of 51% Indigenous ownership. While it is recognized that there are many businesses that have Indigenous ownership or which provide social returns such as employment, the intent of the definitions presented is to provide competitive advantages to majority owned Indigenous businesses.

“More than 50,000 Indigenous owned businesses in Canada contribute $31 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product annually.”

These definitions are consistent with comparator definitions of Indigenous businesses sourced from a review of Canadian and international entities. A literature review contained within the report discusses the critical need for the ethical and effective engagement of governments and industry with Indigenous owned and operated businesses. Indigenous businesses create jobs, improve local communities, fuel innovation, and contribute to social and economic wellbeing.

Read the full report here