ABORIGINAL BUSINESS SERVICE NETWORK (ABSN)

Provides improved access to general business information, pathfinding, counselling services, and business tools for Aboriginal businesses across Canada. In Ontario, ABSN is a partnership between:

• FedNor (Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario),
• The Canada Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) and
• Aboriginal Business Canada.

http://www.cbsc.org/ontario/ABSN/main_e.html

ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MAP

The Aboriginal Business Map provides quick and easy access to international, national, provincial, territorial and community business information.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/scdt/abc_map/

"ACCESS-TO-CAPITAL" PROGRAMMING

The $14.65 million "Access-to-Capital" programming of the Aboriginal Business Development Initiative provides support to Aboriginal financial institutions that offer small business financing services to Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs. These include Aboriginal Capital Corporations, Aboriginal Community Future Development Corporations and other Aboriginally-owned or controlled lending institutions
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/

ALGOMA DISTRICT COMMUNITY NETWORK

The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District, are part of a larger Northern Ontario initiative. ADnet is one of five Community Based Networks (CBN) which have been organized across the area. To date, ADnet has received funding support from the Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario (FedNor) , Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). As well, ADnet member organizations contributed cash and "in kind" goods and services. Some of the FedNor and NOHFC funds were used to develop a detailed business plan to install a high-speed bandwidth telecommunication infrastructure. This infrastructure will allow low cost communications for education, health, private sector and public sector organizations, utilizing such applications as tele-education, tele-medicine, tele-commuting and tele-working. The HRDC funds were used to hire three contract term employees from outlying communities in the Algoma District to guide ADnet through its development stage.

Algoma District Network
P.O. Box 892
Station Main
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada
P6A 5N5
Contact: Mrs. Darlene Walsh, Administrative Assistant, ADnet
Email: admin_adnet@adss.on.ca
Phone Number: (705) 842-3370 ext 227
http://www.hiawatha.net/community/adnet/members.html

FEDNOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Since April 1, 1997 FedNor has negotiated 609 projects agreements totalling more than $58.2 million, including $9 million targeted for investment activities through partnered financial institutions. The value of total investment resulting from this assistance is more than $130 million.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/fn00348e.html

FIRST NATIONS FORESTRY PROGRAM

The First Nation Forestry Program (FNFP), implemented in 1996, is a partnership program between the federal Department of Natural Resources (NRCan) and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND).
http://www.pfpn.gc.ca/

GATHERING STRENGTH - CANADA'S ABORIGINAL ACTION PLAN

Gathering Strength is an action plan designed to renew the relationship with the Aboriginal people of Canada. This plan builds on the principles of mutual respect, mutual recognition, mutual responsibility and sharing which were identified in the report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. That report has served as a catalyst and an inspiration for the federal government's decision to set a new course in its policies for Aboriginal people.
http://www.inac.gc.ca/gs/chg_e.html

PROCUREMENT STRATEGY FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESS

The federal government launched the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) to help Aboriginal firms do more contracting with all our departments and agencies. We're encouraging Aboriginal firms to create joint ventures with other Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal firms in bidding for and executing government contracts.
http://www.inac.gc.ca

REPORT ON GROWTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL COHESION REPORT

Over the past three years, the federal government has developed a work program to achieve this vision. It is a long term strategy predicated on achieving a fundamental change in the relationship between Aboriginal people and the government. At its core is the implementation of the inherent right of self-government and the settlement of Aboriginal claims.