Business directory to support procurement

First Nations business owners are being encouraged to sign up for the Ontario First Nations Business Directory. The directory development is led by the Chiefs of Ontario Economic Development Sector and aims to increase the economic opportunities available to First Nation businesses. It is hoped to be the "go-to place" for those seeking to engage with First Nation businesses in Ontario. Grand Chief Joel Abram, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, and chairman of the Chiefs of Ontario's chiefs committee on economic development, said during the pandemic they noticed gaps in supply chains and recognized those challenges within their businesses and communities in Ontario. "We wanted to recognize the role of First Nation entrepreneurs and First Nation-owned businesses to empower their communities and really help to bolster that economic resilience," Abram said. "One of the biggest areas where there was a big lack is in data, comprehensive data. And if you don't have data, you can't really argue for or against something, so that really hampered our advocacy for supply chain enhancement, especially when it comes to government procurement." Abram said that the lack of segregated First Nations data made it difficult to address specific things accurately. He saw that there was a need for a collective directory that not only supports trusted procurement from First Nation businesses but also serves as a tool for public and private sectors, seeking engagement. He said many stakeholders confirmed that within the government and other places, there were challenges in locating and engaging with businesses. "For us, that underscored the necessity of creating this kind of grid," he said. Registration for the directory, Abram said, allows First Nations and their advocacy organizations to pursue support and funding to advocate the economic policies more effectively, especially when it comes to First Nation businesses and entrepreneurs. "It also provides businesses a free platform to promote themselves and we think that's really crucial for getting recognition as certified First Nation-owned entities," he noted. "Hopefully that will make this directory a primary resource for procurement officers and can catalyze that First Nation procurement." The province-wide, online directory, will service 133 First Nations in Ontario. The Ontario First Nations Business Directory is scheduled to start publicly in 2025. Signing up for the directory involves answering a short questionnaire with a few basic questions about the business. No personal information is collected or stored.

Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal