As part of the Province’s commitment to cut red tape and improve access to important programs and services, the Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction announced today the release of the Aboriginal Small Business Resource handout. This one-stop reference handout is tailored specifically to Aboriginal entrepreneurs, and includes information on how to access the range of services and supports available to Aboriginal small-business owners.

“This brand-new resource will make it easier for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and small-business owners to access the programs and information they need to start and grow their business,” said Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. “This tool is tailored specifically for Aboriginal business owners and includes information on available start-up and growth support services all in one place, so that entrepreneurs can spend less time looking for the services they need and more time growing their businesses.”

The Aboriginal Small Business Handout was developed after B.C. Small Business Roundtable consultations with First Nations identified that Aboriginal entrepreneurs and small-business owners in B.C. could benefit from having further information about existing support services. The handout also fulfills one of the key goals of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, which is increasing participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce by 15,000 by 2024.

“The Aboriginal Small Business Resource Handout is a great way to help the next generation of Aboriginal entrepreneurs and current business owners find support and turn their vision into reality,” said Chief Councillor Ellis Ross of the Haisla Nation and member of the B.C. Small Business Roundtable. “By working directly with First Nations to develop this tool, the Province is taking an important step forward in building a prosperous Aboriginal business community in British Columbia.”

The handout was created with input from the ministries of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training; and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and draws on the expertise of Aboriginal leaders and communities throughout B.C. It also builds on the existing B.C. Small Business Resource handout launched in October 2015, which outlines the resources available to support the success of small businesses in British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• The Aboriginal Small Business Resource handout provides a simple way to learn about a range of existing services and supports available to Aboriginal small-business owners throughout British Columbia.
• One of the key goals of B.C.’s Skills for the Jobs Blueprint is increasing participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce by 15,000 by 2024.
• There are over 1,200 Aboriginal-owned companies in British Columbia, many of which are small businesses.
• The provincial government supports Aboriginal entrepreneurs with programs, training and funding that help businesses to flourish and compete in British Columbia’s economic climate.
• In 2014, 15% of Aboriginal people in B.C. were self-employed.
• An important emerging area for First Nations small business is Aboriginal cultural tourism, which is one of the fastest growing tourism areas, with an annual estimated 3.8-million visitor opportunities experiencing Aboriginal-owned tourism.
• Small businesses make up 98% of all business in B.C. and employ over one million people.
• Small businesses provide 55% of all private-sector jobs in British Columbia, the second-highest rate in the country.

Learn More:

Aboriginal Small Business Resource Guide: http://ow.ly/YxVk303OypV

Small Business Resource Guide: http://ow.ly/SlYV303Oyvk

B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/nr06303OyHh

B.C. Small Business Roundtable: https://www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca/Home.aspx

Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction: www.gov.bc.ca/smallbusiness

WorkBC: https://www.workbc.ca/