b'FORWARDtechnological innovation. The old economy of resourceidentifying gaps in Indigenous capacity and helping govern-development and manufacturing remains important, certainly,ments and post-secondary institutions appreciate the long-but vital opportunities are now emerging for Indigenous busi- term value of ongoing investments in Indigenous training ness in the areas of new technologies, commercial ideas andand entrepreneurship. intellectual property. CCAB is telling the stories of cutting-edge Indigenous businesses in forestry, mining and otherCCAB has partnered with the Government of Canada and fields. Similarly, the research the organization is sharing withcorporations on some of the most important studies ever them ensures they understand the importance of techno- undertaken in Canada on Indigenous business. Not only has logical change, be it electronic commerce, virtual reality andthe Council documented the degree to which government remote sensing, or drones, robots and other innovations vitalprocurement has largely bypassed Indigenous businesses, to creating and sustaining wealth.it has proactively demonstrated that Indigenous businesses have the capacity to absorb a great deal more government Drawing on the wisdom of the elders, CCAB also realizes thatbusiness, flagging areas for joint or shared development. Indigenous businesses define success differently. Profit andTime and again it has demonstrated the foundational signif-commercial viability are obviously essential, but producingicance of Aboriginal Economic Development Corporations jobs, training opportunities and community benefits are first- (AEDCs), as well as the importance of Canadian firms in equal. The organization is at the forefront of tackling the effectsadapting their internal HR policies to better welcome and retain of welfare dependency in Indigenous communities, demon- Indigenous employees. strating through its research that business development in Aboriginal communities produces sweeping social benefitsAs Indigenous businesses expand, so does their need for more in terms of wealth, opportunity and housing. A prosperouscapital, and here too CCAB has played a critical role. Aware business environment also helps curtail the serious social andthat larger Indigenous firms are now working on multi-billion-cultural changes that plague many Indigenous communities.dollar projects without always having ready access to the full CCAB provides the data to show that business is integral to asuite of financial loans and bonds, CCAB has been actively communitys well-being, and not in opposition to it! working to dismantle these barriers. It is cooperating with financial institutions and governments to help Indigenous busi-Working with partners like Indspire, the Council activelynesses develop a better understanding of the world of invest-promotes education, training and personal achievement asment finance. It has identified problems and also sought out the cornerstones of long-term success. Its studies underscorepartners to determine solutionsa strategy that has created the link between advanced education and commercial success,unprecedented opportunities for Indigenous communities.WWW.GREYEAGLERESORTANDCASINO.CAGREY EAGLE DRIVE & GLENMORE TRAIL SWAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT11'