By rdnewsNOW staff

14 Communities

Provincial government aiming to set up Indigenous communities for success

Feb 24, 2023 | 12:02 PM

Officials with the Alberta government say 14 Indigenous community-owned businesses are receiving an economic boost through the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF).

For Alberta’s economy to continue to grow and for more people to feel the benefits of a strong economy, provincial officials say every community needs to be part of the momentum. By providing $5 million in grants through ABIF, Alberta’s government says it is supporting the growth of Indigenous communities, community-led job creation and economic development. The government says grants will go toward capital costs like equipment purchases and infrastructure builds.

“Alberta’s government is proud to partner with Indigenous community-owned businesses across Alberta on this initiative. It’s one of the ways our government is working towards economic reconciliation by removing financial barriers and strengthening local economies,” says Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.

ABIF is helping Fort Chipewyan Métis by providing $500,000 toward capital construction costs of the Elders’ Housing and Rental Suites Project, which the government says will meet two critical community needs.

The project is expected to include six independent, affordable housing units for Elders and short-term accommodations for visitors, as well as a common gathering area. It is also expected to create 50 construction jobs with 15 of the positions being filled by Indigenous Peoples.

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“The groundwork for the site is already underway and trucks, loaded with supplies, are rolling into the community. The excitement around this new project in the heart of Fort Chip is building,” comments Kendrick Cardinal, president, Fort Chipewyan Métis.

Officials say Kainai Forage LP is receiving funds to assist with construction-related costs for a storage facility for their timothy hay product. The business expects to create 20 new jobs for community members, adding to the 49 current positions. According to the government, Kainai Forage’s exports will help support community programs and an internship program.

“Despite COVID-19, Kainai Forage has grown over 300 per cent in three years and is an example of how the right partnerships empower Indigenous communities to turn world-class opportunities into world-class businesses. Our partnership with Indigena Capital and the Alberta government has helped our community build Kainai Forage into one of Canada’s leading forage businesses,” notes Makiinima, Chief Roy Fox, Kainai Blood Tribe.

Alberta government quick facts

• Since 2014, the Alberta Business Indigenous Fund has supported 75 Indigenous businesses with $40.5 million and has created more than 646 permanent jobs for Indigenous people.
• Since 2020, the fund has supported 35 projects that have created
  • 378 full-time jobs
  • 254 full-time construction jobs
• These 14 applicants received funding from Budget 2022:
  

  Applicant	Community	Project Name	Funds Approved
  Pimee Well Servicing LP	Beaver Lake Cree Nation Frog Lake First Nation Heart Lake First Nation Kehewin Cree Nation Saddle Lake Cree Nation Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake Band #128	Rig 14 Pump and Tank Project	$500,000
  O’Chiese Contracting LP	O’Chiese First Nation	Harvesting Heavy Equipment	$500,000
  Kee Tas Kee Now Sawmills Ltd.	Loon River First Nation Woodland Cree First Nation Lubicon Lake Band Whitefish Lake First Nation	Forest Harvesting	$500,000
  Fort Chipewyan Métis	Fort Chipewyan Métis Local #125	Elders’ Housing and Rental Suites	$500,000
  Little Red River Group of Companies LP	Little Red River Cree Nation	Caribou Mountain Homes Expansion	$500,000
  Mini Thni Casino Corp	Stoney Nakoda First Nation	Event Centre	$500,000
  Kainai Forage LP	Kainai Nation | Blood Tribe	Storage Shed Construction (Shed 9)	$250,000
  Acden Tech Sonic Limited Partnership	Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation	Growth and Expansion Project	$250,000
  SmogBuster Inc.	Mikisew Cree First Nation	Cool Down the Work Environment (purchase and refurbishment of air conditioning units and dust collectors for workspaces)	$250,000
  Samson Management 2009 Ltd	Samson Cree Nation	Meniak Road Highway Commercial Project (includes building of travel centre with gas pumps, a truck stop, convenience store, electric charging station and restaurant)	$250,000
  Bear Hills Casino LP	Louis Bull Tribe	Bear Hills Gas Station	$250,000
  Willow Lake Métis Association	Willow Lake Métis Nation	Willow Lake Eco Bison Ranch	$250,000
  Alexander Business Centre Inc.	Alexander First Nation	HDD Shop and Headquarters	$250,000
  Comec Energy Services LP	Cold Lake First Nation	Tri Drive Pressure Truck Acquisition	$250,000