Latest news with #FNPA
Cision Canada
11 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Unlocking Indigenous Prosperity through Procurement: The First Nations Procurement Authority
ENOCH, AB, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - As a new session of Parliament begins, the government has ambitious plans for economic renewal, defence and infrastructure investment. Canada is preparing to rebuild, invest, and grow. But unless Indigenous businesses are directly included in government procurement, we'll once again miss a generational opportunity. Enter the First Nations Procurement Authority (FNPA), a new not-for-profit corporation created by five national Indigenous economic organizations on May 1, 2025. Its purpose is simple yet transformative, to certify, support, and connect genuine First Nations businesses with government and corporate buyers. Not just another organization, the FNPA is Canada's best chance yet to ensure that First Nation businesses can share in the over $23 billion that government spends on procuring goods and services annually. The status quo isn't working. At the recent Indigenous Prosperity Forum in Gatineau, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak was clear: "We're calling for transformative change," she said, "a dedicated agency, led by First Nations, to certify and support genuine First Nation entrepreneurs." Why the urgency? First Nations businesses owners have been shut out of the larger Canadian economy for generations, now finding themselves new entrants in procurement processes that are complex and rigid. Worse, bad actors have been using fraudulent claims to Indigenous identity, preventing First Nation businesses from accessing opportunities intended for them. Indigenous quotas and set-asides are a welcome beginning. On their own, though, they do not suffice. For far too long, outdated vendor lists, absent relationships, and cumbersome processes have prevented authentic First Nation businesses from connecting with government and corporate buyers. The FNPA will aim to reverse this trend—by offering a tried, trusted, and accessible solution to this stubborn inequity. A trusted, First Nation-led solution The solution is simple, elegant even, with a mandate to maximize procurement opportunities and outcomes for First Nations businesses and communities. The FNPA will offer a primary access point for First Nation businesses to government and corporate buyers, helping ensure First Nations people receive safe, inclusive, and equitable procurement opportunities. Tried. The FNPA was founded by five national Indigenous economic institutions that have changed the landscape in their respective spheres. The inaugural board includes a member from each of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), AFOA Canada, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), and the First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMA). The FNPA is also modelled on successful Indigenous procurement institutions in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Trusted. The FNPA received its mandate from the Chiefs in Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations, which sends one representative as an observer to its board. An apolitical organization, it will have a primary purpose to verify, certify, and support First Nation businesses. It will also help potential buyers navigate issues and opportunities in procuring in First Nation communities. This singular focus on the First Nation procurement environment builds clarity, confidence, and trust. Accessible: National in scope, regional in operation, the FNPA will offer outreach, training, and support to all businesses it certifies. Government and corporate members will have access to its single, trusted First Nation business registry, training, and services for a reasonable fee. The goal here is not to check boxes, but to generate real and mutually beneficial opportunities. An investment in shared prosperity The FNPA is ready to begin. Over the first five years, it will require an investment of $25 million to build up and maintain operations. In return, the FNPA offers a solution to one of Canada's most persistent gaps in economic reconciliation: the exclusion of First Nation entrepreneurs from procurement. Now is the time. With a new session of Parliament and a cabinet with a mandate to build, expand, and trade across the country, the FNPA is a tailor-made institution to ensure that First Nation entrepreneurs can finally participate fully in Canada's economic future. We welcome this government's investment in the FNPA—to unlock the contribution of First Nation business to our shared prosperity, one contract at a time.
Cision Canada
27-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Inaugural Board Announces Creation of the First Nations Procurement Authority
OTTAWA, ON, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - A coalition of five national First Nations economic institutions has created a national not-for-profit organization to support First Nations businesses' access and success in securing government and corporate procurement opportunities. The First Nations Procurement Authority (FNPA), established on May 1, 2025, will provide targeted outreach, training, and support to verified First Nations businesses interested in pursuing these opportunities. "An institution like this is urgently needed in Canada," says Mark Dokis, Chair of the First Nation Procurement Authority. "For too long, outdated vendor lists, lacking connections, and cumbersome processes have prevented government and corporate buyers from connecting with authentic First Nations businesses. Our goal is to reverse that trend." First Nations businesses are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in Canada yet continue to face unique barriers to entry. "Many Indigenous businesses are blocked from opportunities that others take for granted," says Jody Anderson, a director of the FNPA. "Lack of experience with procurement processes, issues with bonding on reserves, and lingering stereotypes all limit their participation." Beyond this, fraudulent claims to Indigenous identity enable bad actors to exploit set-asides and quotas as authentic First Nation businesses navigate unfamiliar systems without dedicated supports. "We're calling for transformative change," Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said at the Indigenous Prosperity Forum in May. "A dedicated agency, led by First Nations, to certify and support genuine First Nation entrepreneurs." The FNPA received its mandate from the Assembly of First Nations in 2023. Its board includes one member from each of five respected Indigenous economic organizations: the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), AFOA Canada, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), and First Nations Financial Management Board. A representative of the Assembly of First Nations will attend board meetings as an observer. Modelled after successful Indigenous procurement institutions in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, the FNPA will be national in scope and regional in operation. First Nations businesses will have access to free registry and certification services, training, and promotion. Government and corporate members will be able to take part in training and services for a reasonable fee. The FNPA has resulted from years of thought and research. Once operational, it will promote real opportunities for First Nations businesses – and unleash their contribution to Canada's economic prosperity. Inaugural Board Alisha Carter – Secretary Jody Anderson – Director Mark Dokis – Chair Bailey Quinn – Treasurer Ray Wanuch – Director About NACCA NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. These efforts increase social and economic self-reliance and sustainability for Indigenous people and communities nationwide.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NACCA Promotes Indigenous Business and Community Participation in the Defence Supply Chain
OTTAWA, ON, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) announces its support for a bold new pilot program promoting the participation of Indigenous communities and businesses in Canada's defence supply chain. The Indigenous Defence Supply Chain Pilot is a joint initiative of NACCA and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO). On May 28–29, the two Indigenous economic organizations will bring 25 Indigenous businesses to CANSEC 2025, Canada's leading defence, security, and emerging technology trade show. The businesses will have an opportunity to build relationships and profile their goods and services at CANSEC's Indigenous Pavillion. "Indigenous businesses are ready, willing, and able to supply to defence projects—which are often located on or near their territories," says Shannin Metatawabin, NACCA's CEO. "But the bidding process is still complex and unfamiliar, and those essential relationships with the sector still need to be built." The Indigenous Defence Supply Chain Pilot will be a three-year effort focused on building Indigenous capacity to participate in defence procurement. Through an annual call for applications, the pilot will provide cohorts of 30 to 50 Indigenous business owners, community leaders, and development officers access to tools, training, and mentoring in defence procurement. "This pilot will connect Indigenous businesses and communities to an industry that is known to be difficult to access, while demonstrating its practical approach to cultivating opportunity," says NACCA board chair Elaine Chambers. "And this is only the beginning. To assist First Nation businesses, the First Nations Procurement Authority was just established on May 1, 2025. Part of its mandate will be to take over initiatives like the Defence Supply Chain Pilot for First Nations businesses, making the introductions now occurring at CANSEC a regular feature." Founded on May 1, 2025, the First Nation Procurement Authority (FNPA) is a not-for-profit corporation that will offer outreach, training, and support to help verified First Nation businesses access government and corporate procurement opportunities. With a clear mandate from the Assembly of First Nations, the FNPA is governed by Canada's five most prominent national Indigenous economic organizations: NACCA, AFOA Canada, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, First Nations Finance Authority, and First Nations Financial Management Board. The FNPA is modelled after successful institutions supporting Indigenous procurement in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Once it becomes fully operational, the FNPA will serve as a vital resource for governments and corporate Canada to procure from verified First Nation businesses in a wide range of sectors. Quick Facts The Government of Canada has mandated that federal departments and agencies allocate at least 5% of the total values of their contracts to Indigenous businesses by 2030. An Indigenous business is one that is comprised of at least 51% ownership and control by First nations, Inuit or Metis individual. Despite there being more than 60,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada, only 2900 are registered withing the Indigenous Services Canada managed Indigenous Business Directory. The IFI network has provided $53,000+ loans totaling $3.3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The IFI network has provided $53,000+ loans totaling $3.3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. About NACCA NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. These efforts increase social and economic self-reliance and sustainability for Indigenous people and communities nationwide. Related Links NACCA: CANDO: AFOA Canada: FNFA: FMB: FNPA: National Indigenous Business Definition - NACCA National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association SOURCE National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
NACCA Promotes Indigenous Business and Community Participation in the Defence Supply Chain
OTTAWA, ON, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) announces its support for a bold new pilot program promoting the participation of Indigenous communities and businesses in Canada's defence supply chain. The Indigenous Defence Supply Chain Pilot is a joint initiative of NACCA and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO). On May 28–29, the two Indigenous economic organizations will bring 25 Indigenous businesses to CANSEC 2025, Canada's leading defence, security, and emerging technology trade show. The businesses will have an opportunity to build relationships and profile their goods and services at CANSEC's Indigenous Pavillion. "Indigenous businesses are ready, willing, and able to supply to defence projects—which are often located on or near their territories," says Shannin Metatawabin, NACCA's CEO. "But the bidding process is still complex and unfamiliar, and those essential relationships with the sector still need to be built." The Indigenous Defence Supply Chain Pilot will be a three-year effort focused on building Indigenous capacity to participate in defence procurement. Through an annual call for applications, the pilot will provide cohorts of 30 to 50 Indigenous business owners, community leaders, and development officers access to tools, training, and mentoring in defence procurement. "This pilot will connect Indigenous businesses and communities to an industry that is known to be difficult to access, while demonstrating its practical approach to cultivating opportunity," says NACCA board chair Elaine Chambers. "And this is only the beginning. To assist First Nation businesses, the First Nations Procurement Authority was just established on May 1, 2025. Part of its mandate will be to take over initiatives like the Defence Supply Chain Pilot for First Nations businesses, making the introductions now occurring at CANSEC a regular feature." Founded on May 1, 2025, the First Nation Procurement Authority (FNPA) is a not-for-profit corporation that will offer outreach, training, and support to help verified First Nation businesses access government and corporate procurement opportunities. With a clear mandate from the Assembly of First Nations, the FNPA is governed by Canada's five most prominent national Indigenous economic organizations: NACCA, AFOA Canada, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, First Nations Finance Authority, and First Nations Financial Management Board. The FNPA is modelled after successful institutions supporting Indigenous procurement in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Once it becomes fully operational, the FNPA will serve as a vital resource for governments and corporate Canada to procure from verified First Nation businesses in a wide range of sectors. Quick Facts The Government of Canada has mandated that federal departments and agencies allocate at least 5% of the total values of their contracts to Indigenous businesses by 2030. An Indigenous business is one that is comprised of at least 51% ownership and control by First nations, Inuit or Metis individual. Despite there being more than 60,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada, only 2900 are registered withing the Indigenous Services Canada managed Indigenous Business Directory. The IFI network has provided $53,000+ loans totaling $3.3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The IFI network has provided $53,000+ loans totaling $3.3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. About NACCA NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. These efforts increase social and economic self-reliance and sustainability for Indigenous people and communities nationwide.
