Digital Trade / Services and the Indigenous Opportunity

 The Covid pandemic changed the way we work. The work from home revolution proved that employers could save money, access a more productive workforce and most importantly it proved that they could access human capital anywhere in the country. The remote workforce has and will impact the value of digital trade in Canada.

Platforms like ITFC that creates an environment for Indigenous service providers to engage and create economy contributing to the overall value of digital trade as a component of the Canadian
economy.

Though there is a framework established by the OEDC, WTO and IMF to measure the economic value of digital trade, they readily admit that there is no clear definition and thus it makes it hard to effectively measure.

According to a recent publication of the Conference Board of Canada one of the key findings of the most recent research is as follows:

Digital Trade in not just a simple substitution to conventional means of goods and services delivery. It also represents a new source of innovation, creativity and economic growth.

How can Canada’s Indigenous community benefit from movement?

Enhancing the digital capacity of Indigenous people in northern or remote communities by providing the internet and broadband infrastructure is the first step. The Canadian government has invested almost 1.5 billion dollars in Telesat Lightspeed that would bring internet, LTE and 5G to remote communities.(https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca/leo-is-out-of-this-world/ )This kind of investment will go along way in providing the confidence that employers will need to engage and mobilize an Indigenous remote workforce.

The opportunities for Indigenous peoples in remote areas of Canada are limitless. The ability to deliver short modular courses, now referred to as “Micro-Credentials” over the internet can
prepare underemployed individuals for emerging opportunities resulting from new collaborations with government, the private sector and Indigenous communities.

In platform sharing opportunities, like those available to Indigenous service providers on the ITFC inclusion platform provide opportunities for personal and professional growth that were not available before.

The Nominal GDP associated with digital economic activities in Canada totaled $109.7 billion in 2017, roughly 5.5 % of the total economy or the size of the wholesale industry.

That was 2017, the most recent study, imagine what it is today! If we as a country are moving towards a new relationship with Indigenous people and are committed to inclusion and engagement, Digital Trade has to be a part of the discussion. It must start with the policy makers and industry associations and business leaders.

Its Time for Change!

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on November 30, 2021.

Best Indigenous Procurement Services for Indigenous Canada

 

Indigenous Procurement Services

Indigenous Procurement Services for Aboriginal Businesses of Canada

Indigenous procurement opportunities are the path for the economic development of Indigenous businesses in Canada. The federal government of Canada is running business development programs and offering indigenous procurement services for the development of indigenous-owned businesses.

The government of Canada initiates the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) policy to help the indigenous businesses with procurement opportunities in the Federal government.

But due to the lack of knowledge and resources, Aboriginal businesses of Canada miss the opportunities to grab those federal government procurements.

Therefore to help First Nations, Metis, and Inuit-owned businesses different private organizations provide procurement services to these aboriginal businesses. That boosts the economic development of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.

It’s Time For Change (ITFC) -

ITFC is one of the best private organizations in Canada that offers procurement services for Indigenous business development. ITFC helps indigenous peoples to identify available procurement opportunities.

A social impact platform that recognizes that an engaged economic inclusion network will provide benefits to Canada’s Indigenous communities, their businesses, and the non-indigenous business community!

Government of Canada -

The government of Canada has started the initiative and support programs to help the Aboriginal businesses. Officials of Canada know the importance of the aboriginal communities in the national economic development country.

They are running support, training, and initiative programs to boost the economic growth of indigenous peoples of Canada. Different indigenous services running by the Canadian Government to support indigenous economic development are

• Selling your innovation
• Procurement and business support services
• Procurement strategy for Aboriginal businesses
• Indigenous business directory
• Information technology infrastructure procurement
• Green procurement
• Engaging with bidders and contractors
• Report fraud in government contracts

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) -

CCAB is a bridge between indigenous businesses and non-indigenous businesses of Canada. It helps aboriginal peoples to connect with the non-aboriginal populations, enterprises through the programs.

It supports the growth of indigenous businesses through diverse programs, business awards, events, network building, and training.

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) positions Aboriginal business at the point of convergence for reinforcing Aboriginal people groups, advancing reformist and prosperous connections, and growing another economy dependent on common regard and shared success.

CCAB gives a variety of business advancement contributions, including accreditation for Aboriginal-claimed organizations (CAB) and organizations with Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR). TFAB (Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business) associates Aboriginal business people with instruments, preparing, and organizations to fortify and scale their organizations.

Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. -

Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (ICT) is an organization that offers training for the economic development of Indigenous communities.

We do this by giving a protected preparing climate to students to secure the information, abilities, and disposition needed to be powerful.

Native Corporate Training Inc. (ICT) was established in 2002 by Bob Joseph, a Gwawaenuk Nation member who is a guaranteed Master Trainer, with a foundation in business organization and a previous partner teacher at Royal Roads University.

Summing Up

These are the best organizations in Canada for the Economic Development of Indigenous Businesses. These organizations are running several different programs to support the economic development of Indigenous businesses and help to find and grab the indigenous procurement opportunities available in Canada.

Indigenous procurement services offered by these organizations help small aboriginal businesses to make a strategy for the economic growth of local businesses of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities.

Article originally posted at: https://itstimeforchange.medium.com/best-indigenous-procurement-services-for-aboriginal-businesses-development-b028eb129699

Holistic Approach to Economic Capacity Building

 

Wholistic or holistic-the struggle!

We are often asked what development approach to our inclusion and engagement network we embraced. Often, we used the words wholistic and holistic interchangeably!
But we were wrong! The correct term to describe our approach to economic capacity building is in fact “holistic”. When did the preverbal light go off? Like many of you, I suspect, when challenged to use a word in its proper context, go to the dictionary!

The word holistic is connected to holism, which focuses on the total entity and the interdependence of the diverse parts of this totality.

Such is the case when we speak about the economy. Its interdependence of the diverse sum of all its parts! This is truer in an Indigenous community than any other I have seen. 

The economic platform must start with jobs, job creation and the impact sustainable employment has on a family and community. Income is, as we have stated many times, in our opinion is the single most important social determinant of health. Healthy families create healthy communities. 

So, there are some facts worthy of repeating: Indigenous youth is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada. In fact, a recent study shows that by 2027 we will have close to 1 million indigenous youth! This is an incredible opportunity! Here’s another interesting fact. In Ontario alone, there is a labour shortage of 250,000 people! 

So, here’s the deal- ITFC has made it possible for companies, especially construction companies, associations, the resource industry, or anyone else for that matter to post a job and we will push it out to communities and become your HR specialist! Beyond your membership fee, we won’t charge you a dime! Job opportunities do not have to be “on reserve” believe it or not we have heard that from companies before!

Procurement –

So very important and on so many levels! Some companies are very familiar with Indigenous procurement practices and they don’t want to tell anyone! Seriously there are those who have benefited from restrictive policies and practices that have been forced upon Indigenous communities for decades! Things like – rapid response time on funding envelopes force communities to get the “three mandatory” quotes in order to proceed with a project within a specific time frame. Policies whereby an independent “authority” gets to decide whether or not a community has the capacity to fulfil the scope of work expected on a procurement opportunity within their community or traditional territory!
The ITFC economic inclusion network recognizes all types of Indigenous procurement and connects buyers and sellers in a hassle-free environment.

 If the federal government lies up to its commitment to ensuring that 5% of government spending includes Indigenous communities, their people, and businesses, procurement platforms like ITFC will be a critical part of the strategic economic growth plan of all Canadian companies.

These are two critically important features of the ITFC inclusion network, to learn more book a spot here and select your topic of interest and discover the real holistic capacity-building efforts of the ITFC economic inclusion network.

Article originally posted on: Holistic Approach to Economic Capacity Building

Indigenous Communities in Canada

 What is the meaning of indigenous peoples?

This is a word used to describe the native peoples of Canada. Canadian constitution defined them as the “Indigenous Communities” of Canada. North America from at least 14000 years ago. As the report published by the government of Canada in 2016 around 4.9% of the population is the inhabitants of Canada.

Indigenous Communities of Canada

Aboriginal Canadians(indigenous peoples) comprise mainly in three groups named First Nations(also known as Indians), Metis, and Inuit according to the constitution of Canada. These groups are distinct according to their unique history, culture, language, and beliefs. These peoples are found in all 14 provinces of Canada.

First Nations(Indians):

First Nations are the most populated group among all three. These peoples are numbered 977,235 in the 2016 census. There are more than 630 communities in the First Nations. Speaks 50 plus languages.

British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are the main geographical locations or provinces where First Nation are found.

Metis:

The term Métis alludes to a group of societies and ethnic characters that came about because of relationships among Aboriginal and European individuals in what is presently Canada.

Metis is the 2nd group according to the numbers of people. The population of metises are 587,545 calculated in 2016. Metis are recognized as Canada's aboriginal peoples under section 35 constitutions act of 1982. Metis, 40% of the population lives in Ontario and Alberta.

Inuit:

Inuit means ”The Peoples'' in the Inuit language of Inuktitut. Inuit are the 3rd group of indigenous people of Canada. The population of the Inuits is calculated to be 65,025 in 2016. These are mostly lived in the arctic region.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunatsiavut, southern Labrador, Nunavut, and Nunavik are the main regions where Inuit live.