CCAB launches new initiative based on 92nd TRC call to action

By Brian Wright-McLeod

TORONTO— Recently, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) released a new initiative built on the 92nd call to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ 94 Calls to Action.

The launch of CCAB’s Building a Prosperous Canada Together, the Business Reconciliation in Canada Guidebook was met with enthusiastic optimism.

Max Skudra, Director of Research and Government Relations, Canadian Council for CCAB, outlined the background and goals or the project’s roll out.

“We do a lot of work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, and what we found was that there was a knowledge gap for non-Indigenous businesses that wanted to work with Indigenous companies,” he said. “They didn’t know how to begin that relationship or were aware of the very basics, and that lack of knowledge created a real gap in getting positive relationships to build and create real progress.”

CCAB decided to develop a primer to provide non-Indigenous businesses an outline on how to approach Indigenous businesses.

“We want to show businesses who have never worked with Indigenous people before how to approach Indigenous businesses, and to feel more comfortable in getting started,” he said.

The project was a CCAB initiative derived from experience over a long period of direct relationships with various businesses.

The CCAB research indicates that Indigenous people are creating business nine times the national rate and contribute $30 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The desired goal is to establish an economic partnership that is both respectful and prosperous for all.

“We have one-hundred new members at this point representing 80% [Indigenous] businesses,” he said. “We felt it was important to have something written down for various business clients to refer to would be beneficial in fostering a positive understanding.”

The initiative was inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations. Through support from the federal government, innovations and economic development sectors assisted in the manifestation of the Guidebook.

“It enables non-Indigenous businesses to play a role in reconciliation in Canada,” he said. “We tried to provide a brief history lesson on Indigenous people for non-Indigenous businesses. We try to have businesses understand what Indigenous communities are saying and what they’re looking for. And we want to see more non-Indigenous businesses doing more business with [Indigenous] people, and this seemed to be the best way to support that direction.”

After all, success in business lies in part with understanding the target markets, potential partners and common direction.

“We’d like to see more hiring of Indigenous people, have good career paths and rise within the ranks,” he said.

Information and copies of the Guidebook are available online.