Businesses, Aboriginals and investors looking to do business with First Nations in B.C. have a new tool to track the wide range of related economic activities with the First Nations Economic Development Database (FNEDD).

This is the first time that a comprehensive, searchable database of First Nations’ economic activity has been made available online. The tool was developed by the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council in partnership with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

More than 1,100 First Nations businesses and potential business partners are registered in the online database, which also collects information from a number of public sources. The database includes details about First Nations communities, companies and economic development agreements, as well as their relationship to major projects throughout the province.  

Many First Nations are active leaders and partners with government and industry in developing the resource wealth found in their traditional territories. The database is a clear demonstration of just how First Nations are engaging in economic development and a wide range of business ventures.

Businesses and investors looking to partner with First Nations, and Aboriginal companies wanting to make sure they are part of the database, can get the information they need by visiting: https://www.fnedd.ca/about.html

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“B.C.’s First Nations are key to the economic prosperity of this province. If we’re going to be successful, it won’t happen unless we have First Nations on board. The First Nations Economic Development Database highlights the growth of Aboriginal business interests in B.C. It’s a valuable tool to reference First Nations economic development activity.”

Ellis Ross, Chair, Aboriginal Investment Council -

“There have never been so many economic opportunities for First Nations. The First Nations Economic Development Database gives evidence of the green shoots of First Nations business development and the increasing role of Aboriginal people in British Columbia’s business community and economy.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“Aboriginal businesses are growing and thriving in British Columbia. As the database shows, there are a great variety of successful business ventures and partnerships producing jobs and economic benefits for First Nations people and communities throughout the province.” 

Quick Facts:

• The Aboriginal Business and Investment Council was established as part of the BC Jobs Plan with a mandate is to help improve Aboriginal participation in the economy by encouraging economic growth in Aboriginal communities.
• First Nations businesses are directly involved in all sectors of our growing economy from professional, scientific and technical services industries to Aboriginal cultural tourism, which is one of B.C.’s fasting-growing tourism experiences.
• The FNEDD is a new source of publicly available, downloadable data for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• The launch of the FNEDD fulfils a BC Jobs Plan commitment to launch a provincewide First Nations database that allows industry and First Nations businesses to more easily connect.

Learn More:

First Nations Economic Development Database: https://www.fnedd.ca/about.html

Aboriginal Business and Investment Council: http://www.bcabic.ca/

To learn more about the BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799