Directory – Business resources for Indigenous Peoples

In addition to the programs and organizations available to support all Québec entrepreneurs, there are resources developed specifically for Aboriginal Peoples.

This directory presents the main resources dedicated to this purpose.

Programs
Organizations

Programs

Aboriginal Business Financing Program - Private Project
Native Commercial Credit Corporation
Get a non-refundable contribution of up to $99,999 for business start-up or expansion, marketing, project management, professional advisory services, and development of a business plan, marketing plan or feasibility studies.
Aboriginal Business Financing Program — Community project
Native Commercial Credit Corporation
Get a non-refundable contribution of up to $1 million for businesses owned by a First Nation, the Native Alliance of Quebec, or by one of their members. Funds can be used for business start-up or expansion, marketing, project management, professional advisory services, and development of a business plan, marketing plan or feasibility studies.
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program — Access to Capital
National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA)
Get a non-repayable contribution of up to $99,999 for business planning, acquisitions, expansion, domestic or export marketing, new product or process development, introducing new technologies and more.
Aboriginal Initiatives Fund III (in French only)
Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones
Your for-profit or non-profit Indigenous organization could be eligible for a grant for its economic development project.
Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program
The Martin Family Initiative
If you are an entrepreneurial aboriginal student, you could learn how to create a product-based and service-driven business from experienced business mentors.
AgriCompetitiveness Program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
National associations and Indigenous groups can apply for up to $5 million over 5 years to cover 50% of the costs of activities that help the agricultural sector to leverage, coordinate and build on existing capacity; enhance safety; adapt to changing commercial and regulatory environments; seize new opportunities; share best practices; and provide mentorship opportunities.
BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
Business Development Bank of Canada
Purchase assets, start exporting, pay start-up or franchise fees and replenish working capital with a $350,000 loan if you have an existing businesses or $250,000 if you are a start-up.
CED Jobs and Growth Fund — Indigenous stream
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
If your business is working on a project to transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, become more competitive and create jobs for Canadians, you could get a contribution for up to 100% of the project’s cost.
CED Tourism Relief Fund — Indigenous stream
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
If you’re working on a project to enhance tourism experiences in your region or helping the community attract more visitors, you could get a maximum $100,000 non-repayable contribution for up to 50% of your project’s costs or a maximum $500,000 repayable contribution for up to 75% of the costs. If you’re also a non-profit, the contribution is most likely non-repayable.
Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
If you’re a not-for-profit or Indigenous organization working towards sustainability and competitiveness by adopting new technology or building capacity, get up to $1 million per project in cost-shared funding to cover up to 50% of eligible project costs in most cases, and up to 75% for high-priority projects for the sector.
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Indigenous Organizations
Canada Council for the Arts
Get a grant to cover some of your costs (amounts vary by category) when you engage in contemporary, customary or traditional artistic and cultural activities, including collaborations with non-Indigenous organizations.
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Long-Term Projects
Canada Council for the Arts
Get a grant of up to $300,000 for 1–3 year projects involving creating (research/writing), knowing (mentorship, training) or sharing (exhibitions, presentations, collaborations) — including those with non-Indigenous artists.
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Short-Term Projects
Canada Council for the Arts
Get a grant of up to $100,000 for projects up to 12 months involving creating (research/writing), knowing (mentorship, training) or sharing (exhibitions, presentations, collaborations) — including those with non-Indigenous artists.
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Small-Scale Activities
Canada Council for the Arts
Get up to $3,000 to cover costs for activities like training, getting expert advice, and purchasing materials to advance your artistic career or practice.
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Travel
Canada Council for the Arts
Get a grant of up to $30,000 to support travel costs to attend events within Canada or abroad that offer professional development or access to new markets if you are a First Nations, Inuit or Métis artist/organization, or artist's representative.
Evol — Conventional start-up loan
Evol
Get a loan ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 for your new business start-up projects (0 to 2 years).
FULL Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training BEST
The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship
Access training in proposal writing, strategic planning, financial literacy, leadership, and more.
Futurpreneur Canada Indigenous Program
Futurpreneur Canada
Get a collateral-free loan of up to $60,000, along with 2 years of expert business mentoring and resources to get your startup off the ground if you're an Indigenous person 18–39 years old.
Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Wage subsidy for Indigenous businesses and other Indigenous organizations that give First Nations and Inuit youth work experience or on-the-job training in the housing sector.
Indigenous Community Business Fund — Stream 2
Indigenous Services Canada
Get a non-repayable contribution to cover eligible operating costs if your Indigenous business has experienced a significant reduction in revenues due to COVID-19.
Indigenous Forestry Initiative
Natural Resources Canada
Funding of up to $1 million per year for clean technology, forest bioeconomy, environmental stewardship and forest resource management projects in the forestry industry that create economic development opportunities for Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous Growth Fund
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
Access investments to help you develop your Aboriginal business.
Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur Program
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
Access training, tools and resources for developing your Aboriginal women's business.
Indigenous business at EDC
Export Development Canada
Get support for building a global brand and removing barriers to access for your Indigenous business, whether you’re exporting products, services or experiences.
Listen, Hear Our Voices — Large projects
Library and Archives Canada
Build the skills, knowledge and resources needed to digitize and preserve documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures.
Listen, Hear Our Voices — Small projects
Library and Archives Canada
Build the skills, knowledge and resources needed to digitize and preserve documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures.
Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business
Indigenous Services Canada
Register as an Indigenous supplier and get access to procurement opportunities specifically for Indigenous businesses.
SOCCA – Support and coaching
Native Commercial Credit Corporation
If you’re an Indigenous business owner, you can access loans, consulting services, and help with developing a project through the Native Commercial Credit Corporation.
SOCCA — Term loan for Indigenous businesses
Native Commercial Credit Corporation
If your First Nations business is looking to start-up, expand, acquire a new business, you can get a competitive term loan to help cover up to 70% of the costs, so long as you can contribute at least 10% of the costs yourself.
Skills and Partnership Fund
Employment and Social Development Canada
Receive up to $50 million in funding for your Indigenous organization to support your partnerships with industry employers and provide skills training for Indigenous peoples.
Support for Indigenous SMEs and AFIs
Government of Canada
If you operate a small or medium-sized Indigenous business that has been negatively affected by COVID-19, you could get a short-term, interest-free loan up to $30,000 or a non-repayable contribution up to $10,000 through an Aboriginal Financial Institution.

Organizations

Conseil Des Atikamekw D'Opitciwan

22 Amiskw Street
Opitciwan, Québec
G0W 3B0

Telephone: 819 974-8837
info@opitciwan.ca

Services offered: Coaching - Consulting services - Networking

Cree Nation Youth Council

2 Lakeshore Road
Nemaska, Québec
J0Y 3B0

Telephone: 819 673-2600
Fax: 819 673-2606

Visit the website

Services offered: Financing - Networking

Eeyou Economic Group CFDC inc.

12 Poplar Street
Waswanipi, Québec
J0Y 3C0

Telephone: 819 753-2560
Fax: 819 753-2568

Visit the website

Services offered: Coaching - Consulting services - Financing

Kahnawake Economic Development Commission

2 River Road, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 1110
Kahnawake, Québec
J0L 1B0

Telephone: 450 638-4280
Fax: 450 638-3276

Visit the website

Services offered: Coaching - Consulting services

Kahnawake's Business Portal

P.O. Box 1110, 2 River Road 3rd Floor
Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Quebec
J0L 1B0

Telephone: 450 638-4280
Fax: 450 638-3276
contact@shopkahnawake.com

Visit the website

Services offered: Networking

Kativik Regional Government (KRG)

P.O. Box 9, 860 Kaivivik
Kuujjuaq, Québec
J0M 1C0

Telephone: 1 877 964-2961, 819 964-2961
Fax: 819 964-2956
info@krg.ca

Visit the website

Services offered: Coaching - Consulting services - Financing

Nunavik Investment Corporation

P.O. Box 789
Kuujjuaq, Québec
J0M 1C0

Telephone: 819 964-1872
marthag@tamaani.ca

Services offered: Coaching - Consulting services - Financing

Canadian Executive Service Organization — Aboriginal services

1001 Sherbrooke Street East, Suite 500
Montreal, Québec
H2L 1L3

Telephone: 514-875-7226, 1 800 268-9052
Fax: 514-875-6928
info@saco-ceso.com

Visit the website

Services offered: Coaching - Mentoring

Corporation de développement économique montagnaise (CDEM)

1005 Laure Boulevard, Suite 110
Uashat, Québec
G4R 4S6

Telephone: 418 968-1246, 1 800 463-2216
Fax: 418 962-2449
info@cdem.ca

Services offered: Financing