Chiefs of Ontario Encouraging First Nations Businesses Owners to Register for First Nations Business Directory

Press Release

(Toronto, ON – May 2, 2024) The Chiefs of Ontario is encouraging First Nations business owners to sign up for the Ontario First Nations Business Directory.

The initiative will increase the economic opportunities available to First Nation businesses by becoming the go-to place for those looking to engage First Nation business in Ontario.

Led by the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) Economic Development Sector, the project is committed to seek guidance from the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access, Possession (OCAP). The public directory will include detailed maps displaying where businesses are based, what they do, how to contact them and other key information needed by potential business partners and procurement agents. All of this will facilitate the procurement of goods and services from First Nations businesses.

COO is conducting this work with support from consultants at the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD) as part of a broader prosperity table framework between COO and Indigenous Affairs Ontario. The Ontario First Nations Business Directory is scheduled to launch publicly in 2025.

“We anticipate the broader business community, as well as federal and provincial governments, will come to this directory when they need something done,” said Grand Chief Joel Abram, Association of Iroquois & Allied Indians, and Chair of COO’s Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCoED).

“By having a central location for all First Nations businesses in Ontario that respects data sovereignty, we hope this directory will serve as the wave that raises all the ships in the harbor.”

The online sign-up tool driving the initial data collection stage of the directory was created following several engagement sessions with First Nations Leadership, business leaders and those with expertise in supply chain mapping and procurement.

“First Nations businesses have not had the same opportunities available to them as other businesses. This directory hopes to take a step in changing that. However, it will only work if businesses participate and ensure that their information is uploaded. That is why we are urging business owners to take a few minutes to sign up to make sure they do not miss the future business opportunities that this initiative hopes to facilitate.”

Signing up for the directory is fast and simple. Those interested in joining will be required to fill out a short questionnaire asking a few basic questions about their business. No personal information is collected or stored. The data collected is under the care and control of COO and IFSD during the development stage and is governed by an agreement and commitment that observes OCAP principles.

If you have any questions regarding the directory or sign-up processes, please contact Sam Abtahi, Policy Analyst at Sam.Abtahi@coo.org.

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

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