Presented by:
Contributors:
For information on the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund, contact: grants@ccib.ca
Applications are now closed. Thank you for applying.
The Virtual Live Draw took place at 1 p.m. EST on May 9, 2024.
CCIB’s Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund is presented by LNG Canada with contributions from Paper Excellence, VISA and AtkinsRealis. The fund is open to Indigenous women-owned businesses that have encountered systemic barriers to lending relationships. The fund is administered through CCIB’s Tools for Indigenous Business (TIB) program to enhance Indigenous entrepreneurship through providing access to development and networks.
Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund 2024 – Recipients
- Lindsay Bewcyk, Foodscape Gardens, B.C.
- Priscilla Boulay, Inuvialuit Carvers, AB
- Melody Cardinal, Nehiyaw Specialized Services Consulting Inc., SK
- Shelley Carnegie, The Eye In The Sky, B.C.
- Jade Crabbe, GreenJade Interiors, B.C.
- Natasha Delany, Indigenous Project Events, AB
- Leslie Gauthier, Em & Nate, AB
- Shani Gwin, pipikwan pêhtâkwan, AB
- Destiny Hoostie, Bangin’ Bannock Café, SK
- Victoria LaBillois, Wejipeg Excavation Inc., QC
- Ja’-elle Leite, Ultralogix Inc., B.C.
- Donna Mathieson, Raven Ozhigaa Development, MB
- Marilyn Maychak, Marilyn Maychak Consulting, B.C.
- Naomi McKinney, McKinney Psychology, AB
- Keshia Moffat, Moffat Etuaptmumk Consulting, N.B.
- Nora Pine, Zisikine, ON
- Dawn Sanders, Buffalo Pound Eco Lodge, SK
- Chelsea Stepien, Shikaakwa Consulting Services, AB
- Silver Fae Vautour-Wilmot, Pressure For Change – Shelf Stable Foods, N.S.
- Melissa Victor, Kwosel Indigenous Jewelry and Art, AB
- Deanna Wampler, In the Know Consulting, B.C.
¹ Existing CIB companies that have already renewed for 2024 will receive a credit for their 2025 membership.
The application process opened on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 and closed on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST.
All completed applicants will be provided a number and will have that number entered into a lottery. A live draw will be made at a future date at which time we will select the recipients.
Funding Criteria
The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by an Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) woman.
The for-profit business must be registered in Canada.
Individuals who have received the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund in 2023 are not eligible to receive this round of funding.
For individuals with more than one business, applications will only be accepted for one business.
Supporting Documents Required
To proceed with your application, please review the required documentation. In fields where documents are required, you will not be able to proceed without uploading the relevant documents.
If you are currently an existing Certified Indigenous Business (CIB) in good standing, in sections where documents need to be uploaded instead of the supporting documents please upload a copy of your CIB certificate.
To help you apply for the fund, below is a check list of all the documents and information you will need to complete the application. Please do not start an application unless you have all the information noted below readily available:
- Name of the Indigenous owner who has 51% or more ownership (proof of Indigenous ancestry required)
- Legal name of business and date established
- Legal structure of the business (proof of ownership documents will be required)
- Number of employees (includes full and part-time employees)
- Business description
Proof of Acceptable documents include the following:
- Indian status card
- Métis National Council Governing Membership
- Inuit Beneficiary card
Or, valid identification provided by the following:
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) affiliate membership
- Northwest Territories Land Claim Settlement Beneficiaries
- Alberta Métis Settlement Members
- Northwest Territory Métis Nation Membership
- Membership in a historic Métis community recognized as independent and rights-bearing by a provincial or Canadian federal government
Proof of ownership and control documents demonstrating a minimum 51% Aboriginal ownership; acceptable documents pertaining to your business structure include:
Sole Proprietorship
- Master Business License or provincial/territorial equivalent
Corporation
- Articles of Incorporation
- Shareholders Agreement
- Shareholders Registry
- Corporate Tax Return – Schedule 50 if available
Partnership
- Partnership Agreement
Characteristics of Indigenous women-owned businesses.
Historical and current stats on Indigenous women-owned businesses.
