Aboriginal Business Info-Guide

The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations pertaining to specific business topics, and identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs, services and regulations 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 could be included, depending on the content and region. Further information on these programs, services and regulations can be obtained through any of the following:

• calling the telephone numbers listed under the program descriptions;
• using the links listed in the program descriptions to visit Web sites and Canada Business documents;
• calling a Canada Business service centre and speaking with one of the Information Agents; or
• visiting the Canada Business Web site

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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Aboriginal Business Canada - Industry Canada (IC)
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. Aboriginal Business Canada work with clients of all Aboriginal heritage groups; on-reserve and off-reserve; and in urban, rural and remote areas.

Contact : Aboriginal Business Canada office
Web site: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inabc-eac.nsf/en/home

Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business - Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
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.

Telephone: 1-877-232-2269
Web site: http://www.bdc.ca/en/i_am/aboriginal_entrepreneur/default.htm

First Nations and Inuit Youth Work Experience Program - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
The objectives of this program are to support the provision of opportunities for mentored work experience and support the development and enhancement of essential employability skills, such as communication, problem solving, and working with others. Eligible participants are First Nations and Inuit youth aged 15 to 30 ordinarily resident on reserve or in recognized communities who are out of school, unemployed or underemployed. The non-profit sector is eligible to receive a contribution of up to 100% of the applicable minimum wage plus mandatory employment related costs and the private sector up to 50% of the applicable minimum wage only.

Telephone: 1-800-567-9604
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/ys/yth5_e.html 

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. 
Telephone: 1-800-263-5588
Web site: http://www.canadacouncil.ca

National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA) is a growing network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions dedicated to promoting economic growth across Canada through the Aboriginal communities it serves. Owned by 59 lending institutions known as Aboriginal Financial Institutes (AFI's), NACCA provides programs, products and services designed to promote and stimulate growth of Aboriginal business in Canada. Business loans, Aboriginal financial consulting services, and youth business programs are just some of the services NACCA supports through its member AFI's.

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.

Telephone: (780) 421-1606
Web site: http://www.peacehills.com

INFORMATION SERVICES

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Journey to Success Aboriginal Women's Business Planning Guide - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
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

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

Telephone: 1-800-400-7677
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/saea-psab/index_e.html

Web site: http://www.ainc-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.

Web site: http://www.aboriginalresourcenet.com/Eng/index.htm

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

Telephone: 1-800-263-1136 or (613) 951-8116
Web site: http://www.statcan.ca/start.html

Aboriginal Planet - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
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.

Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/

Directory of Aboriginal Exporters - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
A directory of Aboriginal small and medium enterprises that are:

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

Telephone: 1-800-267-8376
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/750/business/directory2002-en.asp

CIDA's Aboriginal Procurement Strategy (CAPS) - Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
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).

Telephone: 1-800-230-6349
Web site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca or send your enquiry electronically to: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Métis National Council
Promotes and encourages entrepreneurship within Métis communities.

Telephone: 1-800-928-6330
Web site: http://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.

Telephone: 1-800-337-7743
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.

Telephone: (416) 961-8663
Web site: http://www.ccab.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.

Telephone: (613) 241-6789
Web site: http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=3

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

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

Telephone: 1-800-268-9052
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.

Telephone: 1-800-463-9300 or (780) 990-0303
Web site: http://www.edo.ca

TAXATION

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GST/HST and Indians - Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
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.

Telephone: 1-800-959-5525
Web site: http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html

Information for Aboriginal Peoples  - Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

• 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.

Telephone: 1-800-959-5525
Web site: http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html

Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB)
Provides advice and assistance to First Nations.

Telephone: (250) 828-9857
Web site: http://www.itab.ca

REGULATIONS

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

Telephone: 1-800-263-0231
Web site: http://www.cba.ca/en/viewdocument.asp?fl=3&sl;=89&tl;=90&docid;=450&pg;=1

• Aboriginal Business Service Network

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.