Aboriginal Business Info-Guide

This Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the different federal and territorial government programs, services and regulations that may be of interest to Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the Yukon. Although many of your questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. This blended product of both federal and territorial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information could be included, depending on the content and region.

Some of the organizations listed below are not subject to the Official Languages Act. Their services and resources may not be available in both official languages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Financial Assistance
2. Business Programs and Services
3. Information Services
4. Management Services
5. Taxation
6. Regulations

1. Financial Assistance

Aboriginal Business 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 more information, please call däna Näye Ventures (the Aboriginal Business Canada regional office in the Yukon) at (867) 668-6925 (Toll Free at 1-800-661-0448), see the document Aboriginal Business Canada, or visit the Aboriginal Business Canada Web site at http://abc-eac.ic.gc.ca

Commercial Loans
däna Näye Ventures provides businesses in the Yukon with commercial financing to aboriginal entrepreneurs to a maximum of $250,000 for starting, maintaining or expanding a business.

For more information, please call (867) 668-6925 (Toll Free 1-800-661-0448) or visit the Web site http://www.dananaye.yk.net/financial.htm

Youth Business Loan Fund
däna Näye Ventures provides commercial loans to a maximum of $15,000 to aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 30 for starting, maintaining or expanding a business.

For more information, please call (867) 668-6925 (Toll Free 1-800-661-0448) or visit the Web site http://www.dananaye.yk.net/financial.htm

Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business
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 more information, please call the Business Development Bank of Canada at 1-877-232-2269, see the document Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business , or visit the Web site http://bdc.ca

Aboriginal Artists - Grant Programs from the Canada Council for the Arts
The Council offers many types of grants to professional artists, groups and arts organizations (Aboriginals included). Furthermore, the programs listed below describe some of the grants available specifically to Aboriginal artists.
Aboriginal Peoples Collaborative Exchange
Aboriginal Peoples Music Program
Annual Support and Production Project Grants to Aboriginal Peoples
Grants to Aboriginal Writers Storytellers and Publishers
Developmental Support to Aboriginal Theatre Organizations
Aboriginal Media Arts Program
Assistance to Aboriginal Curators for Residencies in Visual Arts

For more information, please call 1-800-263-5588 ext. 5060, see the document  ARCHIVE - Aboriginal Arts - Grant Programs , or visit the Web site http://www.canadacouncil.ca

National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association
Exist throughout Canada providing their market areas with a wide range of small business assistance including business loans.

For more information, please call däna Näye Ventures at (867) 668-6925 (Toll Free 1-800-661-0448) or visit the Web site http://www.nacca.net

Peace Hill Trust
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.

For more information, please call (780) 421-1606 or visit the Web site http://www.peacehills.com

2. Business Programs and Services

däna Näye Ventures
The Business Services Division of däna Näye Ventures provides specialized training in all areas of operating and managing a business. Training ranges from business planning preparation to specialized after care training. Services are available to new and existing businesses and organizations.

For more information, please call (867) 668-6925 (Toll Free 1-800-661-0448) or visit the Web site http://www.dananaye.yk.net

3. Information Services

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

Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative - AWPI: AWPI Employer Toolkit
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 more information, please call (867) 667-3100 (Toll Free 1-800-661-0451), see the document Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) : AWPI Employer Toolkit , or visit the Web site http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/awpi/index_e.html

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

Aboriginal Peoples Survey
Statistics Canada maintains files from 1991 that provide a social and economic profile of aboriginal people.

For more information, please call 1-800-263-1136, see the document  Aboriginal Peoples Survey  or visit the Web site http://www.statcan.ca/start.html

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

Directory of Aboriginal Exporters
A directory of Aboriginal small and medium enterprises that are:

• exporting;
• export-prepared; or
• export-oriented.

For more information, see the document Directory of Aboriginal Exporters . Copies of the directory are available from International Trade Canada at 1-800-267-8376 or at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/750/business/directory2002-en.asp

The Aboriginal Procurement Strategy (CAPS)
The Aboriginal peoples 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, please call the Public Inquiries Service at 1-800-230-6349, see the document CIDA's Aboriginal Procurement Strategy (CAPS) , or visit CIDA's Web site at http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index.htm

Métis National Council - Business Section
Promotes and encourages entrepreneurship within Métis communities.

For more information, please call 1-800-928-6330 or visit the Web site http://http://www.metisnation.ca/

Native Investment and Trade Association
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.

For more information, please call 1-800-337-7743 or visit the Web site http://www.native-invest-trade.com

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Connects Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and companies with the opportunities they require to achieve personal and business success.

For more information, please call (416) 961-8663 or visit the Web site http://www.ccab-canada.com

Assembly of First Nations
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.

For more information, please call (613) 241-6789 or visit the Web site http://www.afn.ca

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Provides information about Aboriginal peoples across Canada who live in a non-reserve setting whether urban, rural or wilderness.

For more information, please call (613) 747-6022 or visit the Web site http://www.abo-peoples.org

4. Management Services

CESO Aboriginal Services
Has volunteer advisers for Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit businesses, communities and organizations.

For more information, please call 1-800-268-9052 or visit the Web site http://www.ceso-saco.com/english/national/aboriginal/index.php

Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)
Supports Aboriginal economic development officers (EDOs) through networking, information, publications, support services and special initiatives or projects.

For more information, please call 1-800-463-9300 or visit the Web site http://www.edo.ca

5. Taxation

GST/HST and the Indian Act
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 more information, please call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525, see the document GST/HST and Indians or visit the Web site http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Information for Aboriginal People

• For information about tax and customs benefits and requirements under the Canadian Indian Act, see Information for Status Indians.
• Find out if the tax exemptions are applicable to your business income. A list of potential income sources with explanations is also available.
• 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 more information, please call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525 or visit the Web site http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB)
Provides advice and assistance to First Nations considering real property taxation.

For more information, please call (250) 828-9857 or visit the Web site http://www.itab.ca

6. Regulations

Canadian Bankers Association (CBA)
Has a document entitled Understanding the Regulatory Environment for On-Reserve Lending.

For more information, please call 1-800-263-0231 or visit the Web site http://www.cba.ca/en/viewdocument.asp?fl=3&sl=89&tl=90&docid=450&pg=1

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.