b'INDIGENOUS BUSINESS DEFINITIONSIndigenous Business DefinitionsA commitment to promoting opportunity forIndigenous entrepreneursO n February 27, 2024, a newThe Indigenous Business DefinitionsWith broad Indigenous and stakehold-way to certify Indigenousguide can be used by public sectorer input, the definitions were created businesses was launched withorganizations at all levelsincludingby five national Indigenous economic the release of the Indigenous Businessprovincial, territorial and municipalorganizations and three national Indig-Definitions guide. For the first time,governmentsand businesses of anyenous representative organizations. a national set of consistent defini- size to promote economic reconcilia- The group built shared understand-tion. First Nations businesses meet- ing on the definitions of Indigenous tions will help direct the procurementing the definitions will be added to asole proprietorships, corporations, of goods and services to legitimatenational database of verified business- non-profits, charitable organizations, Indigenous businesses across es maintained by the First Nationscooperatives and micro-enterprises. the country. Procurement Organization (FNPO). This Indigenous Business Definitions guide is intended to be a live docu-ment in which the definitions will be improved and refined over time.Yet they are needed now, when Cana-Investing in the da has set an Indigenous procurement target it plans to achieve by 2030. We Aboriginal Business Spirit! welcome the five-per-cent target, said NACCA CEO Shannin Meta-Waubetek is an Indigenous Financial Institutiontawabin, but we need to ensure that owned and led by First Nations in North-Eastthe contracts are going to Indigenous Ontario. We provide commercial financing,entrepreneurs, enhancing the well-be-advisory services and regional economicing of our people, their families and initiatives to First Nation entrepreneurs andtheir communities. First Nation communities in our region. Waubetek is a proud member of NACCA. The definitions will offer clarity in a Our goal is to help build the economies ofcontext that has seen false claims of our local First Nations and Canada throughIndigeneity, tokenism and other bad business and community development. actors muddying the waters to take advantage in procurement processes. The definitions will improve Indigenous business data and help increase their access to financing. They will also enhance accountability and transpar-ency so that all can understand and 705-285-4275 waubetek@waubetek.com www.waubetek.com clearly see whether Indigenous targets are being met.22INDIGENOUS PROSPERITYIssue #1, 2024'