Political & Economic Organizations Information

A growing number of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people are owning and operating their own businesses.

From corporations that employ hundreds of workers to one-person home businesses, the goods and services they offer cross the entire spectrum of the economy – from hotels, banks and the oil and gas services to retail stores, restaurants and colleges.

According to the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, there are 15 000 businesses owned by Aboriginal people in Canada.  Half of these are located in urban centres, with the rest located in rural communities or on reserves.  Aboriginal self-employment has, over the past fifteen years, grown at three times the rate average Canadian rate.  Today, many reserves have a full complement of business, professional and trades people.