historically designed that way and that needs to change. Governments have consciously avoided the buying and selling power of Aboriginal peoples, while private businesses haven’t had a clear incentive to partner with them. As a result, they have not yet recognized the true business power of the Aboriginal community. Like Gladu, Benson too feels it is important for Canada’s leading brands to be involved in Aboriginal procurement in order to level the playing field. CCAB’s Procurement Champions initiative will create that change on a national level and get Aboriginal companies to a place where they can show the business world that they can compete. Conversely, increasing their access to procurement will give the business community an opportunity to recognize and better understand Aboriginal buying and selling power. Perhaps most importantly, the CCAB initiative will reassure the Aboriginal community that: “We are good, we are equal, we have buying power and selling power, and we can compete.” Worth remembering is that Aboriginal businesses bring a new and different perspective to the table, one that has long been underrepresented. The Procurement Champions initiative will help get this message to a wider audience. There will also be a greater understanding at the boardroom level on why Aboriginal communities need to be part of the decision-making process on anything that impacts them. It is time, said Benson, for Aboriginal people to be recognized as a buying and selling power that today represents almost seven per cent of the Canadian population. He is confident that CCAB’s Procurement Champions will help make that happen. ABORIGINAL BUSINESSES BRING A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO THE TABLE, ONE THAT HAS LONG BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •   --    27 ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS. $100 MILLION IN BUSINESS Resolute Forest Products works with First Nations across Ontario and Quebec to identify employment and economic opportunities, support educational programs, and collaborate on agreements, planning, road construction and forest regeneration. Because we believe in partnerships. resolutefp.com/sustainability WE BELIEVE IN PARTNERSHIPS. OPPORTUNITIES. The Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 19