Discover how Indigenous Financial Institutions are transforming communities through the inspiring success stories of Indigenous businesses across Canada.

The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) represents a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs). For almost 40 years, our members have worked tirelessly to support Indigenous business development through business loans and related supports to First Nation, Métis, and Inuit business owners. The goal is to help Indigenous entrepreneurs realize their dreams to create and earn as successful business people.

Once established, Indigenous businesses lead by example. Our research shows that Indigenous businesses enhance health, social, and cultural outcomes in their communities, promoting reconciliation.

We’d like to introduce you to just a few successful Indigenous businesses and owners. 

Feast Café Bistro: embracing Indigenous culinary culture

Feast Café Bistro, located in a stunning heritage building in downtown Winnipeg, honours local Indigenous culinary culture. For eight years, this establishment has served regular patrons and supported those in need through a voucher program that accepts donations, in a neighbourhood where the average income is less than $50,000.

Chalets de l’Anse Ste-Hélène: stunning cottage rentals

In 2017, the Mi’gmaqs of Gesgapegiag ventured into tourism by purchasing the Chalets de l’Anse Ste-Hélène, a thriving chalet rental business next to their powwow grounds. Since then, they’ve operated a top-rated accommodation, welcoming tourists from around the world to Gaspésie, Que., and sharing their rich Mi’gmaq culture.

Salish Soils: growing innovation

Another example is Salish Soils on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. For 14 years, the business has used recycled materials that would otherwise end up in landfills to produce rich soils used by farms, gardeners, and landscape artists across the Lower Mainland. Its vision is to enable a regenerative, resilient future for a coastal community seeking to strengthen its local food system.

Celebrating Indigenous businesses

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, NACCA salutes these three Indigenous businesses — and the thousands of others that the IFI network has supported over the decades. 

Supporting such businesses is why the IFI network came into being, and why it remains critical in the Indigenous business landscape. Starting in the 1980s, our member institutions were founded by Indigenous leaders to address the unmet capital needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit business owners. Due to factors including the Indian Act’s restrictions on collateral and the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous entrepreneurs are still often perceived as high-risk borrowers and continue to have difficulty getting startup loans from conventional lenders.

An approach that works

Professional, non-partisan, and rooted in their communities, our members are led and governed by all-Indigenous boards. Most of their employees are Indigenous people from the area, and the loans they issue are based on the character and commitment of the loan applicant.

Does this approach work? Absolutely! The results speak for themselves. Since the 1980s, IFIs have extended over 52,000 loans worth more than $3.2 billion, with the network maintaining an average loan loss rate of only about five per cent.

Nationally, IFI network members are represented by NACCA. The vast, diverse network of lenders believes that their members are stronger when they speak with one proud voice. Founded in 1997, under the guidance of our Indigenous board and senior staff, NACCA advocates on behalf of our members and of Indigenous business development more generally. 

Making a difference

This advocacy is needed now more than ever. The pieces are finally in place for Indigenous business development to take off. Whether treaties, settlements of claims, or Indigenous procurement opportunities, Indigenous business development has grown exponentially — for the good of our economies and the Canadian economy as a whole.

Feeding the hungry. Sharing our cultures. Reclaiming the nourishing potential of our lands. In these and countless other ways, Indigenous businesses are making a positive difference in their communities and regions.

Let’s celebrate the excellence and success of Indigenous businesses. We invite you to connect with them in your community by purchasing their goods or services, learning their inspiring stories, and witnessing firsthand the positive impact they’re making locally. With this new perspective, imagine the limitless possibilities for future growth and collaboration. 

Based on our extensive experience supporting Indigenous businesses, we at NACCA can confidently attest to the positive impacts of your commitment — and of successful Indigenous businesses on their communities.  

Learn more at nacca.ca. #IndigenousProsperity

The post Support Indigenous Businesses appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Driving meaningful social change is part of TELUS’ commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. By working together with Indigenous Peoples, Elders, and members of the Indigenous Advisory Council, they are leveraging its world-leading technology to help build a better future for Indigenous communities.

In April 2022, TELUS formed the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) composed of respected Indigenous leaders and professionals with experience providing guidance and advice, to support the effective implementation of TELUS’ commitments outlined in the tech company’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP). The creation of IAC comes as TELUS continues on its mission to build on a deeper commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, which weaves together four pillars, including connectivity, economic Reconciliation, cultural responsiveness and enabling social outcomes by developing and expanding programs that help strengthen communities.

Ensuring Indigenous voices are heard

For generations, Indigenous Peoples have been excluded from decisions about their own communities and lands. At TELUS, the success of the IRAP is measured by the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, and by ensuring Indigenous voices are represented. The Indigenous Advisory Council composed of Indigenous leaders is helping TELUS implement and achieve the IRAP’s targets. The council members — all respected voices of their communities — contribute strategic guidance, expertise, and perspectives on how these initiatives can make meaningful progress toward reconciliation. In addition, the IAC guides TELUS on ongoing relationship development with Indigenous Peoples and shares Indigenous values, teachings, and ways of knowing to ensure that all of these are considered throughout the process.

Technology and connectivity are key drivers in moving our communities forward in self-determination, so it’s important to have Indigenous voices at the table.

Carol Anne Hilton

The Indigenous Advisory Council currently has four members, and that number is expected to increase to 10 by the end of the first quarter of 2023. “This is a very important initiative because we rarely get a seat at the table to talk about what the experience has been like for us, so being part of the Indigenous Advisory Council gives us opportunities to build out policies and processes that are grounded in the reality of our communities,” says Kim van der Woerd of ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation, founder of Reciprocal Consulting Inc. and one of the IAC members.

Helping to bridge the digital divide

Technology and connectivity play an important role in the growth and well-being of Indigenous communities. TELUS is supporting this through bridging digital divides by connecting Indigenous communities to its world-leading networks “Technology and connectivity are key drivers in moving our communities forward in self-determination, so it’s important to have Indigenous voices at the table,” says Carol Anne Hilton of Nuu-chah-nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island, CEO and founder of the Indigenomics Institute and another IAC member. “This initiative also raises awareness for other North American companies on the importance of investing in Indigenous communities and provides a model of how to do this.”

TELUS has long supported investments in and with Indigenous communities. The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good powers next-generation startups building tech for good and invests in entrepreneurs who are addressing challenges in health, education, agriculture, and the environment by connecting them with resources and capital. In 2021, TELUS launched the Mobility for Good for Indigenous Women at Risk program, which provides free smartphones and service to Indigenous women at risk of surviving violence so that they can access emergency services and health care and wellness resources, and stay connected to their friends, family, and support networks.

TELUS will continue these investments in projects through the Indigenous Communities Fund, which provides flexible grants to Indigenous-led programs supporting initiatives meeting social, health, cultural, and community needs.

A call to action for non-Indigenous Canadians

“We have incredible beauty and talent in our Indigenous communities across Canada that need to be seen and heard, and the IRAP is an opportunity to shine a light on all of that,” says van der Woerd. “I really see this as a call to action for non-Indigenous people to work with their leadership to contribute to the reconciliation movement.” As a leader in social capitalism, TELUS is committed to continuing to learn, evolve and grow to ensure they are aligned with Indigenous-led reconciliation frameworks through ongoing engagement with Indigenous leaders, Elders, and communities in the areas they serve. With guidance from the Indigenous Advisory Council, TELUS will ensure the development and implementation of the Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan positively impacts future generations to come.

The post Enabling Remarkable Social Outcomes With Indigenous Peoples Through Meaningful Collaboration appeared first on HiveInnovates.