b'CCAB RESEARCHIndigenous entrepreneurs in Canadatrends offer opportunities for IndigenousFinancially, Indigenous businesses show have experienced significant growthentrepreneurs, including Indigenous- promising results, with three-quarters and demonstrate great potential formade arts and crafts, sustainable andof surveyed entrepreneurs reporting expanding their economic footprint.eco-friendly practices, as well as culturalprofitability and expressing optimism According to CCAB, the number ofawareness and partnerships. The Unitedfor revenue growth in 2016. A signifi-Indigenous business entrepreneursStates, Australia, the European Unioncant 39 per cent experienced revenue has steadily increased since 1996,and Aotearoa (New Zealand) are popularincreases between 2018 and 2019, with with over 75,000 reportednationwide. destinations for Indigenous-suppliedover half of them (56 per cent) achieving Thesebusinesseshaveestab- goods and services. growth rates exceeding 20 per cent. lished themselves in various indus-tries, including natural resources, construction, manufacturing, retail and services, with a notable pres-ence in every province and territory. The 2019 national survey revealed that Indigenous entrepreneurs have significant operations in the service sector (54 per cent), manufacturing sector (21 per cent), natural resources (13 per cent) and construction (12 percent).Indigenous businesspeople also excel in innovation, as seen by the novel ways they apply culture and tradition to contemporary issues. A substantial 61 per cent of surveyed entrepreneurs use either Indigenous Traditional Knowledge or Indigenous Cultural Expressions. In 2019, about half (51 per cent) introduced new technologies into their businesses.Inuit-owned and highly experienced Additionally, more than half (54 perin delivering on multiple frontscent) invested in research and exper-imental development or introduced new products and services.Access Roads & Reclamation & Airstrips RemediationIndigenousentrepreneursare also expanding their horizons and Bulk SamplingSite Construction & venturing into international export, Dams, Dikes &DevelopmentdemonstratingtheirambitionRetention Site Excavation & and potential for growth. Recent data reveals that seven per centStructures Earthworksof Indigenous businesses engage Exploration SupportSite Feasibility in international trade, though thisStudy Supportfigure is lower than the total Canadian Mobile Crushing & business population, which standsScreeningat 12 per cent. However, exporting provides a unique opportunity for Indigenous businesses to overcome locational disadvantages and tap into globalmarkets.While its important to match the national average business export rate, there are indications that Indigenous businesses can leverage market trends to thrive and contribute toBuilding Beyond Boundarieseconomic development within theirNunaGroup.comcommunities. Several promising Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 53'