Canadian First Nations-owned businesses are being invited to register for what officials are calling the first Indigenous-led and certified commercial directory in Ontario.
The Chiefs of Ontario and the province announced last Thursday that the organisation, which represents 133 First Nations in Ontario, is building a First Nations business directory officials say will showcase Indigenous-owned businesses, give them better access to public procurement and contracting opportunities, and help cut down on what Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict called "the growing issue of First Nation identity fraud in business".
"We've seen lots of controversy in the last little while around businesses taking opportunities… or contracts that are designed for First Nation businesses when, at the end of the day, some of these businesses aren't even owned by our people," Chief Benedict said at a press conference in Timmins, Ontario.
"We're going to continue to make sure that we're verifying, working with leadership that these are businesses that the community supports and are not people taking advantage of those opportunities."
The Chiefs of Ontario told Northwest Ontario News (Newswatch) that verification and certification is a multi-step process. Formal verification will require business owners to submit "proof of their Indigeneity as a First Nation person and relevant business documents about their equity and control in the business".
"This process is designed to confirm that each business is a legitimate First Nation-owned enterprise," the organisation told Newswatch, adding that it will be done in accordance with ownership, control, access and possession principles, which lay out how such data can be used.
The Chiefs of Ontario said the process culminates with the final certification by the organisation.
The business directory's creation is being supported by the Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation.
"The purpose of this table was to address barriers to financial self-sufficiency for First Nations and to advance economic reconciliation," the Chiefs of Ontario's statement said.
"One of the key conversations driving the directory's creation was the need for a centralised, trusted platform. There was no existing platform that brought together First Nations businesses, government, and private sector procurement officers to find businesses from within the communities easily."
On Thursday Chief Benedict said the chiefs organisation has been working with the province "on a number of initiatives to strengthen not only our businesses but other areas that support the First Nations across this region".
"We recognise that the improvement of economic viability of our businesses was essential," he said.
The Chiefs of Ontario said the directory is positioned as a "key resource" for institutions and organisations seeking to strengthen supply chains, buy Canadian and meet Indigenous procurement targets.
