Indigenous Economic Development Resources

Indigenous led economic development is an important mission in the StrongerBC Economic Plan. Find information about partnerships, tools, and resources to support First Nations and Indigenous communities achieve their economic development goals.

On this page:

• Economic development toolkit for Indigenous communities
• Province of B.C. resources
• Government of Canada resources
• National resources
• Financial institutions offering financing and loans
• Academic initiatives supporting Indigenous economic development

Economic development toolkit for Indigenous communities

B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) works with First Nations to provide them with the tools and information they need to build successful, sustainable plans for economic development.

• Find BCAFN economic development toolkits for Indigenous communities

Province of B.C. resources

The Province of B.C. supports Indigenous economic development through dedicated support staff, grant funding and online tools.

• Regional Economic Operations (REO) staff are in every region of the province to assist Indigenous communities with planning and implementing their economic development and diversification priorities.
  • Find the contact information for REO staff in your region.
• Trade and Invest BC is a trade and investment website that provides information for anyone looking to expand their B.C. business to global markets. It also features government partnerships with various Nations and businesses.
• Funding and grants search tool and Economic Atlas are easily searchable databases available to support your economic development goals.

Government of Canada resources

The Government of Canada provides programs and services to increase business skills, invest in a business or develop land on a reserve.

• Federal business and economic development programs for Indigenous people.
• PacifiCan is the Government of Canada’s new economic development agency dedicated to B.C.
  • Connect with your local PacifiCan office to learn more about programs and services or schedule a meeting.

National resources

• CANDO (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) provides training of economic development officers with a mandate to strengthen Indigenous economies by providing programs and services to Economic Development Officers.
• First Nation Finance Authority provides financing, investment and advisory services to First Nations who have voluntarily scheduled to the federal First Nations Fiscal Management Act.
• First Nations Financial Management Board supports the implementation of good governance and finance practices among First Nations who have voluntarily scheduled to the federal First Nations Fiscal Management Act.
• First Nations Lands Advisory Board (LAB) is dedicated to supporting First Nations communities in their efforts to re-establish control over their lands, natural resources and environment.

Financial Institutions offering financing and loans

• All Nations Trust and All Nations Development Corporation provides financial and advisory services to Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nations in BC.
• Métis Financial Corporation of BC provides lending to finance the start-up, acquisition and/or expansion of viable Métis owned and operated small businesses based in British Columbia.
• New Relationship Trust provides tools and funding opportunities for First Nations in BC to advance nation-building initiatives and resourcing in the areas of governance capacity, education, language and culture, youth and Elders and economic development.

Academic initiatives supporting Indigenous economic development

• National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (NCIED), University of Victoria
  • NCIED Focuses on independent and collaborative research on Indigenous economic development, building capacity for economic development in Indigenous nations and convenes partnership to sustain research and action.
• Step into the River: A Framework for Economic Reconciliation, Simon Fraser University
  • This framework explores ways in which economic reconciliation can be a catalyst for transforming economic systems.
• Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics
  • Tulo offers university-accredited programs that help support the renewal of Indigenous economies and empower communities.