THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NETWORK (CCEDNET) is a national member-led organization committed to strengthening Canadian communities by creating economic opportunities that enhance social and environmental conditions. Several Aboriginal groups are members.
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT CANADA (AANDC) is committed to providing greater opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and to helping Aboriginal business owners to succeed in their business goals.
The Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Development (ABED), AANDC, with its program delivery partners the Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs), provides funding to Aboriginal entrepreneurs, communities and organizations to increase the number of viable businesses in Canada owned and controlled by Aboriginal People.
The national Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business is a Government of Canada initiative that helps Aboriginal businesses do more contracting with all federal government departments and agencies along with assisting Aboriginal businesses to gain access to the overall procurement process.
Many Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities can qualify for business development support. Depending on the nature of your project, you may be able to obtain funding to assist with a wide range of activities, including:
• Business planning
• Establishment (capital) costs
• Business acquisitions
• Business expansions
• Marketing initiatives that are local, domestic, or export oriented
• New product or process development
• Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness
• Operating costs in association with capital costs
• Financial services, business support, business-related training, and mentoring services
THE ABORIGINAL BUSINESS SERVICE NETWORK is comprised of organizations who offer services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
Aboriginal Business Development Services (ABDS) is built on the structure of existing Canada Business Service Centres located across the country which provide free-of-charge access to government information on business programs, services and regulations.
These resources are tailored to meet unique requirements of Aboriginal clients and are accessible by phone, fax, e-mail, the Internet and walk-in sites. Aboriginal entrepreneurs need information and resources to improve their access to capital and to establish or develop their businesses.
Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WD) Western Canada Business Service Network has more than 100 offices across the west. Aboriginal Business Service offices are found in four provinces: Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
