Aboriginal Business Info-Guide

The Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs and services and identify those of interest. Although many questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs and services in a related area. This blended product of both federal and provincial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information may be included, depending on the content and region.

Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.

Aboriginal Business Programs and Services

Aboriginal Business Canada - Industry Canada
Aboriginal Business Canada is an Industry Canada program which provides financial assistance, information, resource materials and referrals to other possible sources of financing or business support. Clients must be individuals of Canadian Indian (on or off-reserve), Métis or Inuit heritage, or majority-owned Aboriginal business and financial organizations or development corporations.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Business Canada, contact Aboriginal Business Canada in Edmonton at 780-495-2954 or Calgary at 403-292-8807 or visit them on the Web at http://abc-eac.ic.gc.ca

Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business - Business Development Bank of Canada
Aims to increase access to capital for Aboriginal entrepreneurs who want to start a small business or expand an existing business operating on or off a reserve in Canada. BDC's program offers financing of up to $100 000 for existing businesses and up to $25 000 for start-ups.

For further information, see the document Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business, contact the Business Development Bank of Canada at 1-877-BDC BANX (1-877-232-2269) or visit them on the Web at http://bdc.ca

Canada Council for the Arts - Grants
The Canada Council for the Arts offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in dance, media arts, music, theatre, writing and publishing, interdisciplinary work and performance art, and the visual arts. All programs are accessible to Aboriginal artists or arts organizations, and artists or arts organizations from diverse cultural or regional communities.

For further information, contact the Canada Council for the Arts at 1-800-263-5588 or visit the Web site at http://www.canadacouncil.ca

Aboriginal Contract Guarantee Instrument
The Aboriginal Contract Guarantee Instrument (ACGI) gives Aboriginal contractors the help they need to qualify for more business opportunities. The ACGI proves to the project owners that their contractors can guarantee satisfactory job completion.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Contract Guarantee Instrument (ACGI), contact the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association at 780-413-0993.

National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association at http://www.nacca.net
Exist throughout Canada providing their market areas with a wide range of small business assistance including business loans.

Alberta Indian Investment Corporation - AIIC (AIIC) - Enoch, Alberta - 780-470-3600 or Toll Free: 1-888-308-6789
Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc.. - Edmonton, Alberta - 780-452-7951 or Toll Free: 1-800-252-7963
Indian Business Corporation (IBC) - Calgary, Alberta - 403-291-5151 or Toll Free: 1-800-387-4813
Settlement Investment Corporation - Edmonton, Alberta - 780-488-5656 or Toll Free: 1-800-661-9902

Peace Hill Trust at http://www.peacehills.com or contact Calgary, Alberta 403-299-9730, Edmonton, Alberta 780-421-1229, or Hobbema, Alberta 780-585-3013.
Serves the financial needs of the First Nations and their members, corporations, institutions, and associations both on and off reserve and also provides financial services to non-native clientele.

Information Sources for Aboriginal Business

Aboriginal Business Service Network
The Alberta Aboriginal Business Service Network (Alberta ABSN), an enhanced service within The Business Link, provides business information, advice and referral services to meet the needs of potential and existing Aboriginal business people in Alberta. Let the Alberta ABSN be your first stop for Aboriginal-specific business information in Alberta.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN), contact the Alberta ABSN at 780-422-1260 or visit them on the Web at http://www.cbsc.org/alberta/absn

Aboriginal Albertans in Business Series 
The Aboriginal Albertans in Business Series of business guides were developed by The Business Link to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal business people in Alberta.

Visit the Web site at http://www.cbsc.org/alberta/absn/absn_guides.cfm

Aboriginal Business Profiles
The Aboriginal Business Profiles featured on this webpage were filmed on-site in Alberta and Quebec as part of the HOMEBIZ.TV television series.

Visit the Web site at http://www.cbsc.org/alberta/absn/profiles/index.htm

Aboriginal Funding Tool
This interactive tool will help you find different types of funding available specifically for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Visit the Web site at http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/apps/fundingtool.nsf/index_en.html

Guide to Aboriginal Organizations in Alberta
This on-line directory provided by Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AAND), contains contact particulars for First Nations, Métis Settlements and a number of Aboriginal service organizations active in areas such as economic development, employment, friendship centres and social services.

Visit the Web site at http://www.aand.gov.ab.ca/AAND.asp?lid=41

Journey to Success Aboriginal Women's Business Planning Guide - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
A practical and easy-to-use tool for Aboriginal women who are thinking of going into business.

Telephone: 1-800-567-9604
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/ecd/js/journ_e.html

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (http://www.ccab-canada.com) is a national, non-profit, non-government, charitable organization that is dedicated to promoting the full participation of Aboriginal communities in the Canadian economy.

For more information about the CCAB, see the document  Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The government launched the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) to help Aboriginal firms do more contracting with all the federal departments and agencies.  

For more information, see the document Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business, or contact Indian and Northern Affairs Canada at 1-800-400-7677 or visit them on the Web at  http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/saea-psab/index_e.html

Aboriginal Canada Portal
The Aboriginal Canada Portal is your single window to Canadian Aboriginal on-line resources, contacts, information and government programs and services. Visit them on the Web at http://aboriginalcanada.gc.ca

Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative - AWPI: AWPI Employer Toolkit  - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative was designed to help employers recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees. The toolkit has been designed to help employers increase their awareness and understanding of issues related to Aboriginal employment.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) : AWPI Employer Toolkit, contact AWPI at 780-495-3782 or visit them on the Web at http://www.inac.gc.ca/ai/awpi/index_e.html

Aboriginal Resource Guide - Government of Canada
This user-friendly tool is designed to help Aboriginal people search for information they require to develop or enhance administrative and financial skills in order to increase their capacity to use the services of financial institutions successfully.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Resource Guide or visit the Web site at http://www.aboriginalresourcenet.com

Aboriginal Peoples Survey - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada maintains records on social and economic profiles of Aboriginal peoples. Topics include: data by Aboriginal group (i.e. North American Indian, Métis and Inuit); data for Aboriginal persons living both on and off Indian reserves and settlements; data about Aboriginal people which describe the demographic breakdown, household, labour force, employment, education, disability, housing conditions and participation in traditional activities.

For further information, see the document Aboriginal Peoples Survey, contact Statistics Canada at1-800-263-1136, or visit them on the Web at http://www.statcan.ca/start.html

Aboriginal Planet - Foreign Affairs Canada
Aboriginal Planet is an online magazine that provides resources for people to learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada's international relations. The site also provides tools for Aboriginal Canadians to get onto the world stage with its "International Opportunities" and the "Business Centre" sections.

For further information, see the document  Aboriginal Planet  or visit the Web site at http://www.aboriginalplanet.gc.ca

Directory of Aboriginal Exporters - International Trade Canada
A directory of Aboriginal small and medium-sized enterprises that are:
-        exporting;
-        export-prepared; or
-        export-oriented.

For further information, see the document Directory of Aboriginal Exporters. Copies of the directory are available from the Enquiries Service of the Department of International Trade Canada at 1-800-267-8376 or in PDF format at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/pdf/DirectoryE.pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Aboriginal Banking - Partnership - The Key to Success
A quarterly newsletter for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs published by the Business Development Bank of Canada.

For further information contact the Business Development Bank of Canada at 1 877 BDC BANX (232-2269) or visit them on the Web at http://www.bdc.ca/en/i_am/aboriginal_entrepreneur/default.htm

Aboriginal Procurement Strategy
The Aboriginal procurement strategy (CAPS) is an initiative aimed at promoting Aboriginal business development through the procurement process at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

For more information, see the document CIDA's Aboriginal Procurement Strategy (CAPS), contact the Public Inquiries Service at 1-800-230-6349 or visit CIDA's Web site at the following address: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca or send your enquiry electronically to: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Métis National Council - Business Section at http://metisnation.ca/MBC/home.html or contact the Métis National Council at 1-800-928-6330.  Promotes and encourages entrepreneurship within Métis communities.

Native Investment and Trade Association at http://www.native-invest-trade.com or contact1-800-337-7743
Has Aboriginal business directories for each region as well as the document called The Road Less Travelled: Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Building Economic Independence for the New Millennium.

Assembly of First Nations at http://www.afn.ca or contact 613-241-6789
Presents the views of the various First Nations through their leaders in areas such as: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Economic Development, Education, Languages and Literacy, Health, Housing, Social Development, Justice,Taxation, Land Claims, Environment, and a whole array of issues that are of common concern which arise from time to time.

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Provides information about Aboriginal peoples across Canada who live in a non-reserve setting whether urban, rural or wilderness. Telephone: 613-747-6022 Web site: http://www.abo-peoples.org

Aboriginal Tourism Canada at http://www.aboriginaltourism.ca or contact 1-800-724-7872
Aboriginal Tourism Canada is a national Aboriginal tourism association. It is a partnership of business and government whose goal is to create opportunities for the growth of Aboriginal tourism.

Management Services

CESO/SACO - CESO Aboriginal Services Edmonton, Alberta 780-421-4740 or Toll Free: 1-800-763-6372
Has volunteer advisers for Aboriginal businesses, communities and organizations. CESO is a non-profit organization which provides advisory services to Native clients who request professional assistance in economic development, community affairs or education and other areas where help is needed.

Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) at http://www.edo.ca or contact 1-800-463-9300 or 780-990-0303 Supports Aboriginal economic development officers (EDOs) through networking, information, publications, support services and special initiatives or projects.

Taxation

GST / HST and the Indian Act - Canada Revenue Agency
Under Section 87 of the Indian Act, the personal property of an Indian or Indian band situated on a reserve and their interests in reserve lands are not subject to tax. The application of the GST/HST is consistent with the provisions of that Act.

For further information, please call 1-800-959-5525, or see the document GST/HST and Indians.

Information for Aboriginal People - Canada Revenue Agency

• For information about tax and customs benefits and requirements under the Canadian Indian Act, see Information for Status Indians.
• For examples of how the Indian Act exemption applies to employment income and other related income, see the Indian Act Exemption for Employment Income Guidelines.

For further information contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525 or on the Web at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) at http://itab.ca or contact 250-828-9857
Provides advice and assistance to First Nations considering real property taxation.

Regulations

Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) at
http://www.cba.ca/en/viewdocument.asp?fl=3&sl=89&tl=90&docid=450&pg=1 or contact the CBA at 1-800-263-0231   Has a document entitled Understanding the Regulatory Environment for On-Reserve Lending.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.