Nationwide Reach. Proven Track Record. Much More Than a Conference
Why Forward Summit Is One of the Most Trusted National Gatherings for Indigenous-Led Economic Change “Forward Summit is more than
May 20, 2025
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Recent Articles
Grow Your Business: An Interview with Longhouse CEO Keenan Beavis
In an exclusive interview with Indigenous-SME Magazine, Keenan Beavis, founder of Longhouse Branding & Marketing, shares his journey of building
April 16, 2025
Shaping Canada’s Innovation Landscape
In this exclusive interview with Indigenous-SME Magazine, Jennifer Flanagan, Co-founder and CEO of Actua, and Joel Gamache, Actua’s Indigenous Youth
April 16, 2025
Green Tech Solutions for Indigenous Small Businesses: Affordable and Scalable Approaches
As Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada embrace sustainability, incorporating green technologies and practices has become critical to long-term success. Sustainable business
April 16, 2025
Why Representation from All Three Distinct Indigenous Groups Matters in Business and Beyond
Each voice of Indigenous Peoples in Canada—First Nations, Métis, and Inuit—are integral to our country’s identity. Each distinct group of
April 16, 2025
Balancing Act: Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets
Indigenous female entrepreneurs in Canada are altering the commercial environment by exhibiting perseverance, cultural pride, and a strong commitment to
April 16, 2025
Technology
Empowering Indigenous Women in Tech: A Vision of Support
We had an interview with Bobbie Racette, Founder & CEO of Virtual Gurus, stands at the forefront of tech innovation
February 3, 2025
Blending Tradition and Technology: Rhode Thomas on Indigenous Innovation
In a recent interview with Indigenous-SME Business Magazine, Rhode Thomas, Executive Director at The Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Technology,
September 25, 2024
How Emerging Technologies Will Influence Canada’s Economy in 2024
Over the course of 2024, Canada’s technology environment is changing dramatically. What’s more, pacing up with these emerging trends is
July 11, 2024
Empowering Indigenous Voices in Tech: Denis Villeneuve’s Mission at Kyndryl
Indigenous-SME Business Magazine recently interviewed Denis Villeneuve, the Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada at Kyndryl. Denis shared his
July 11, 2024
Agriculture’s Revolution: The Emergence of AgriTech North
Amidst the immense expanse of Northwestern Ontario, where food security challenges loom large, AgriTech North is emerging as a beacon
May 14, 2024
Simplifying Governance Traditions: How OneFeather Plans to Use AI to Revolutionize First Nations’ Elections
In an unprecedented initiative to combine tradition and technology, OneFeather has introduced a novel tool to help First Nations administrators
May 8, 2024
Storytelling through craft
Brenda Mercer on the Good Relations Mentorship Program and using art to tell her story.
Brenda Mercer, a lifelong beadworker, has turned her passion into a successful business, creating functional art, rawhide drums, rattles, and keepsake pouches while giving back to her community by telling her story and inviting others to do the same.
Indigenous Interviews
Expert Advice from Louise Southall on Thriving Amidst Economic Shifts
In a detailed interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Louise Southall, Economist & Small Business
July 11, 2024
eSupply Canada’s Impact on Indigenous Communities
Steven Vanloffeld, the Founder and CEO of eSupply Canada, detailed his motivation and the foundational
May 24, 2024
Advancing Indigenous Economic Sovereignty: Insights from Jolain Foster
Jolain Foster, Managing Partner of Nation Building at Deloitte Canada, provides insightful perspectives on fostering
May 14, 2024
A conversation with Alexander Peh on the future of Payments & Merchant Acquiring
In an interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Alexander Peh, Vice President and Head of
May 14, 2024
Indigenous-SME Business Magazine
Small Business
Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Businesses: Protecting Your Digital Assets in 2025
Protecting digital assets has become crucial as Indigenous business owners in Canada continue to grow their enterprises. Strong cybersecurity measures
February 3, 2025
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Insights and Advice from Xero’s Mark Knowles
In a compelling interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Mark Knowles, General Manager of Security Assurance at Xero, offers his
November 20, 2024
Empowering Indigenous Voices in Tech: Denis Villeneuve’s Mission at Kyndryl
Indigenous-SME Business Magazine recently interviewed Denis Villeneuve, the Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada at Kyndryl. Denis shared his
July 11, 2024
Business Woman of the Month: Patrice Mousseau – Healing Skin and Empowering Communities
The founder and CEO of Satya Organic Skin Care, Patrice Mousseau, is a prime example of how creativity, tenacity, and cultural integrity can coexist in contemporary entrepreneurship. Her remarkable transformation from a worried mother to a prosperous company executive demonstrates the revolutionary potential of Indigenous women in Canadian business.
Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship
The Core of Moirae Choquette’s Entrepreneurial Strategy at Tomato Wheels
Moirae Choquette’s journey from brand partnerships and influencer marketing at companies like Jobber and GoodMorning.com to founding Tomato Wheels is
July 11, 2024
Bringing Inuit Healing Traditions to Skincare
In her interview with Indigenous-SME Business Magazine, Bernice Kuutuu Clarke, founder of Uasau Soap Inc., revealed that the company’s inception
May 14, 2024
Carey Calder’s Nakanagis Inc.: A Trailblazing Indigenous Consulting Company
Carey Calder stands as a beacon of innovation and advocacy in the realm of Indigenous business leadership and organizational development.
March 8, 2024
Celebrating Indigenous Beauty: The Visionary Leaders Behind Tribalure Canada Inc.
In the bustling world of cosmetics and skincare, Tribalure Canada Inc. emerges as a unique player, wholly Indigenous-owned and rooted
March 8, 2024
6 Indigenous Business Women to Celebrate on International Women’s Day
As the year 2024 gears up for tremendous economic changes, the Canadian business landscape is fast changing with every passing
March 8, 2024
Anne Harding: Pioneering Indigenous Relations through Forum Community Relations Inc.
In the landscape of community relations and reconciliation, Anne Harding shines as a beacon of change and empowerment. Anne, who
March 8, 2024
Reconnecting through natural medicine in the Canadian Rockies
Kimberly Thibeault is the owner and operator of Holistic Habits based in Grande Cache, Alberta. Working out of a storefront in the town’s modest downtown core, Kimberly creates a wide variety of body care and natural remedy products. Describing her work as a fusion of traditional and contemporary natural medicines, Kimberly creates handmade small batch products such as smudge sprays, colognes, after sun, bath products, body oils and more.
Indigenous Business
Culture, Care and Affordable Housing: How Na-Me-Res is Transforming Lives in Toronto
In an insightful conversation with Indigenous-SME Small Business Magazine, Steve Teekens, Executive Director of Na-Me-Res,
November 20, 2024
Celebrating Indigenous Heritage in Cuisine: Chef Stephanie Baryluk’s Impactful Journey
Indigenous-SME Small Business Magazine interviews Chef Stephanie Baryluk, an Indigenous culinary artist whose passion for
November 20, 2024
2024 in Review: Milestones in Indigenous Business
As we approach the end of 2024, Indigenous enterprises in Canada have attained remarkable milestones,
November 20, 2024
Innovation
Tea Horse: A Celebration of Indigenous Wisdom & Innovation
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have harvested medicinal plants for brewing teas—a practice that
September 24, 2024
James Jones: Championing Indigenous Storytelling and Entrepreneurial Freedom in the Digital World
In the swiftly changing landscape of digital media, James Jones, also known by his TikTok
February 29, 2024
Revolutionizing Canadian Manufacturing: Embracing Innovation for a Brighter Future
In the heart of Canada’s industrial landscape, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Canadian manufacturing companies
November 16, 2023
Top 5 Indigenous-Owned Retreats in BC to Check Out in 2025
Melissa is a PR professional with Nine Point Agency representing Indigenous Tourism BC. In addition to tourism, Melissa works with various other brands in the fashion, beauty, wellness, tourism, and lifestyle industries.
High-performing teams that prioritise inclusivity, cultural awareness and sensitivity experience more cohesion and collaboration. With some workplaces returning to in-office policies this year, managing team dynamics, relationships and communication should be top of mind for leadership teams.
Small Business
How Small Business Owners Can Utilize Carer-Inclusive Employment Policies to Thrive Their Business
Canada’s Rising Older Population and Family Caregivers Are Growing. How Can Small Businesses Adjust to Support Their Employees and Enhance
April 16, 2025
Navigating SME Marketing Challenges: Insights Into the Canadian Business Landscape
In the prevailing commercial environment, effectively marketing an enterprise’s products or services can prove challenging for SMEs. To address these
May 14, 2024
Intertwining Indigenous Business with Global Commerce
The paths of Lesley Hampton, a fashion designer, and Mallory Yawnghwe, the visionary founder and CEO of Indigenous Box, intersect
February 29, 2024
Digital Marketing
Five Email Marketing Tips for 2023
Hank is an author, speaker, podcast host and Sr. Manager of Client Solutions at iContact, a Ziff Davis company. With
February 9, 2023
Carmella: Guiding Your Business To a Greater Future
Carmella Marketing is an award-winning, nationally certified woman-led marketing agency with a high-energy culture of creativity whose strategies are results-driven.
November 23, 2022
A Few Basic Tech Tools Every Small Business Owner Needs
Technology integration into business operations is becoming more and more essential. Incorporating technological tools can improve the business’s efficiency and
November 18, 2022
Supporting Indigenous Youth | A Conversation About Outside Looking In with CEO - Hope Sanderson
In this episode of the Indigenous-SME Small Business Podcast, we explore the inspiring journey of Hope Sanderson, CEO of Outside Looking In (OLI). Under her leadership, OLI has become a transformative platform for #Indigenousyouth, offering them a space to express themselves
Get to Know More on Grants
Explore this section for a range of grants, financial assistance, and opportunities tailored for small to midsize businesses in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area.
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) announces recipients for the Young Indigenous Business
CCIB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness.
Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund: Supporting Growth and Innovation
The Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund is designed to boost Indigenous tourism initiatives across Canada. This fund provides financial support to Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations to develop and enhance tourism experiences, fostering cultural preservation, economic growth, and sustainable development in Indigenous regions.
Indigenous Tourism Fund: Micro and Small Business Stream
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is dedicated to nurturing the growth and success of Indigenous tourism operators across Canada. Join the association in its mission to empower Indigenous tourism enterprises nationwide and work collectively towards ITAC’s vision to help make Canada the global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.
Canada Launches $153M Indigenous Growth Fund for SMEs and Financial Institutions
The Indigenous Growth Fund is Canada’s newest and largest Indigenous social impact fund. The $153M investment fund provides improved access to capital for Indigenous Financial Institutions and Indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), overcoming some of the barriers they have historically faced.
Empowering Indigenous Workforces: First Nation and Inuit Employee Benefits Program
The Employee Benefits program supports eligible First Nation and Inuit employers in attracting and keeping the qualified staff needed to manage and deliver programs and services taken over from the federal government.
Empowering Indigenous Governance: Strengthening Core Functions in First Nations and Inuit Communities
This program funds projects that develop the capacity of First Nations and Inuit communities to perform core functions of government such as planning and risk management, leadership, basic administration and financial management.
2SLGBTQI Projects Fund: Empowering Diversity and Inclusion in Canada
Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) works to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders, including women, in Canada’s economic, social and political life.
Urban Indigenous Empowerment Initiative: Funding Support for Urban Indigenous Communities
More than half of Indigenous peoples in Canada live in urban centres. An urban centre is defined as an urban area with a population of at least 1,000 people and a population density no less than 400 people per square kilometre.
Empowering Indigenous Health: The Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF)
The Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF) is an initiative supporting collaborative planning and multi-year projects aimed at better meeting the health-care needs of First Nations and Inuit. Through HSIF, Indigenous Services Canada is working with other provincial, territorial and First Nations and Inuit organizations