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June is National Indigenous History Month. It’s fitting to include Indigenous entrepreneurs in this important celebration. First Nations, Inuit and Métis business owners provide a job-creation engine that sustains a unique culture and heritage essential to our social fabric.
Indigenous-owned and operated businesses also strengthen Alberta and Canada’s economies with valuable services and products.
It is our duty to help these entrepreneurs innovate and thrive.
As part of this year’s celebrations, Sodexo Canada asked Canadians to weigh in on the importance of Indigenous businessesvia a national Leger survey. The findings show broad recognition of the value created by Canada’s more than 60,000 Indigenous entrepreneurs and strong support for concerted action by the private sector to help them reach their full potential.
• 79 per cent of Canadians believe that Indigenous participation in the economy strengthens the country’s social fabric.
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• Supporting strong Indigenous businesses is also seen by 76 per cent as a pathway to healing relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Lifting Indigenous people out of poverty must be a national priority. Canada is home to a rising Indigenous population of 1.6 million. Many face discrimination, poverty and deplorable living conditions on reserves.
Fostering a robust Indigenous business sector capable of creating sustainable economic opportunities for its people is clearly in Canada’s best interest. And the majority of Canadians who responded recognize that.
Related to greater resources to support Indigenous business owners, the survey found:
• 71 per cent of Canadians want the private sector to step up to help Indigenous entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
• 77 per cent agree that corporations should include Indigenous businesses in their supplier networks whenever possible.
• And 71 per cent believe actions, such as training and mentoring, to help Indigenous business owners should be a long-term strategy for Canadian corporations.
The number of Indigenous businesses has grown steadily since 2000. This emerging sector is well-positioned to deepen its economic footprint.
As a lead voice in the Indigenous economy, CCAB has undertaken specific research on Indigenous entrepreneurs. We know from the data in CCAB’s 2019 Aboriginal Business Survey that Indigenous entrepreneurs have established businesses in every province and territory across a range of industries, including the service sector (54 per cent), secondary sector (21 per cent), natural resources (13 per cent) and construction (12 per cent).
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Noting that the CCAB survey was completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 39 per cent of Indigenous entrepreneurs surveyed experienced increases in revenue between 2018 and 2019. Among those who said their revenue increased over the previous year, a majority (56 per cent) reported a revenue increase of more than 20 per cent.
A forthcoming CCAB research report indicates Indigenous business owners also value innovation. More than half (54 per cent) of the entrepreneurs surveyed reported introducing new products or services, processes, or spent money on research and experimental development. Almost half (43 per cent) of the entrepreneurs surveyed reported introducing new products or services in the previous three years. One-third (32 per cent) introduced new processes. Twenty-five per cent spent money on R&D.
Still, Indigenous entrepreneurs face unique challenges. They report needing greater access to capital, qualified Indigenous employees, skills training, investment, technical and business know-how and mentoring.
One of the most pressing challenges is the urgent need for skills training initiatives. Fully two-thirds of Indigenous business owners cite difficulties in finding qualified Indigenous employees.
Canada’s private sector needs to prioritize Indigenous entrepreneurs. Our experience is that everyone benefits when business strategies are based on inclusiveness.
As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, it’s gratifying to see Canadians understand what we have known for a long time: the Indigenous business sector has much to offer its people, the economy and society generally. With the right resources, the opportunities are limitless.
Tabatha Bull is president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and Erwin Joosten is senior vice-president, energy and resources, Sodexo Canada.
Opinion: Alberta Indigenous entrepreneurs important to Canadian economic growth - Calgary Herald
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