Welcome to Indigenous Rides Inc! We are an Indigenous IT company. Think AutoTrader/Kijiji/Cars.com for the Indigenous consumer!
Executive Summary
Indigenous Rides is a Manitoba-based, Indigenous-led online marketplace designed to empower First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities by connecting them with local vehicle dealerships through a culturally sensitive platform. Our vision is to break barriers of isolation and economic disadvantage by fostering accessible, reliable transportation, enabling confident vehicle ownership, and promoting connectivity and prosperity. Our 5-Year Team Growth Plan (2026 – 2031) aims to create 40 – 60 high-skilled, permanent, remote jobs with 65%+ Indigenous representation, establish Manitoba as an Indigenous tech hub, and drive community impact through internships, financial literacy programs, and cultural sponsorships.
The Issue and Our Solution
Issue: According to the 2021 Census, Canada’s Indigenous population totals 1,807,250, representing 5% of the national population. In Manitoba, Indigenous peoples make up 18% of the population (237,190 individuals), with 130,505 First Nations, 99,840 Métis, and 1,540 Inuit. Many of these communities, particularly in remote, rural, and urban areas, face significant barriers when accessing vehicle dealerships and automotive services. Key challenges include:
- Cultural Barriers: Historical cultural differences create stress for Indigenous consumers at dealerships, eroding trust.
- Third-Party Dependency: Indigenous consumers often feel forced to purchase vehicles through third parties, limiting choice and control.
- Higher Costs: A longer supply chain results in Indigenous consumers paying more for vehicles and services.
- Lack of After-Sales Support: Minimal after-sales service hinders relationship-building and goodwill with dealerships.
Our Solution: Indigenous Rides will create Canada’s first Indigenous-led automotive marketplace, connecting Indigenous consumers with new and used vehicle dealerships, powersports, heavy equipment, and more. Our web app, developed with cultural sensitivity, will offer an easy-to-use platform that prioritizes Indigenous needs. In partnership with Creative Fire, an Indigenous-owned agency, we will produce educational materials to certify dealerships, fostering trust and improving relationships. Our business model is free for consumers, relying on dealership subscriptions, ensuring accessibility while driving economic reconciliation through better deals and stronger connections.
Vision: Empowering First Nations communities with accessible, reliable transportation, we break barriers of isolation and economic disadvantage through an inclusive marketplace, enabling confident vehicle ownership and fostering connectivity and prosperity.
Mission: To develop a marketplace that connects Indigenous consumers with local dealerships, providing accessible services through an easy-to-use, culturally sensitive platform that supports and empowers Indigenous communities.
End Goal: Achieve economic and social reconciliation by bridging Indigenous consumers and dealerships, resulting in better deals, enhanced trust, and sustainable economic opportunities.
Project Overview
Indigenous Rides aligns with Manitoba’s Budget 2025 vision of “Building One Manitoba,” Our 5-Year Team Growth Plan (2026 – 2031) focuses on:
- Job Creation: Build a majority-Indigenous workforce, growing from 5 – 8 employees in 2025 to 40 – 60 by 2031, with 65%+ Indigenous representation, including leadership roles.
- Community Impact: Sponsor cultural and sporting events, offer financial literacy programs, reduce urban migration, and provide paid internships and scholarships for Indigenous youth in STEM.
- Innovation: Develop a culturally resonant web and mobile app, positioning Manitoba as an Indigenous tech hub.
- Scalability: Achieve national recognition as a leading Indigenous-led employer, driving economic reconciliation.
Key Selling Points
Job Creation
- 40 – 60 High-Skilled Jobs: Create permanent, remote positions by 2031, with 65%+ Indigenous representation, tapping into Manitoba’s 237,190 Indigenous population.
- Culturally Sensitive Policies: Implement flexible policies (e.g., paid leave for cultural events like powwows) to support community involvement.
- Indigenous Leadership: Cultivate a robust workforce with 65%+ Indigenous leadership roles by 2031.
- Tech Hub: Establish Manitoba as an Indigenous tech hub, driving innovation and economic growth.
Community Impact
- Cultural and Sporting Sponsorships: Support events like powwows and youth sports, fostering community pride.
- Financial Literacy Programs: Equip Indigenous consumers with knowledge to navigate vehicle purchases confidently.
- Reducing Urban Migration: Build local economies through a tech hub and digital literacy workshops, retaining talent in Manitoba’s Indigenous communities.
- Internships and Scholarships: Offer 10 – 15 paid internships annually and STEM scholarships for Indigenous youth, building local capacity.
Revenue
The Company’s primary source of revenue is through the sale of marketplace subscription advertising packages to dealer customers. The Company’s subscription packages allow dealer customers and OEMs to showcase their new and used vehicle and powersports inventory to in-market shoppers on the indigenousrides.ca web-based app. The subscription packages are generally a fixed price arrangement with varying contract terms, typically ranging from three to six months, that are automatically renewed, typically on a month-to-month basis.
There are currently several web-based auto marketplaces in existence. Companies such as Cars.com (based in the US) generates revenues of $690M annually. The largest app in Canada and US is Autotrader.com. This company has global earnings of $8B annually. We are not trying to directly compete with these companies. But none cater to a specific demographic group. We will. As well, we will have a significant educational component offering to the dealership network. There are currently approx. 3,400 new car dealerships in Canada. If we only get 5% penetration, this venture will be hugely successful. But we will get more as we will be leading with the Indigenous educational component!
Marketing
We have 2 levels of customers. We must create activity so that the Dealership customer receives leads. This is achieved with Digital marketing on Facebook, Google ads, etc. As well, to create additional brand awareness, we will be sending out messages on Indigenous TV and Radio.
While the app is important to our venture, the marketing and development of our educational component is key to our success. Therefore, a comprehensive marketing plan will be developed by an Indigenous marketing company, Creative Fire. They will create our logo, brand awareness, and develop the tools to supply our Dealer network with a marketing calendar, educational background, and all collateral pieces associated with our product and certification
Expected Outcomes
- Economic Impact: Create 50+ jobs, leveraging Manitoba’s 18% Indigenous population (237,190 individuals) for economic reconciliation.
- Community Impact: Train Indigenous youth, sponsor cultural events, and establish Manitoba as an Indigenous tech hub to reduce urban migration.
- Innovation Impact: Launch a culturally sensitive web app by Q1 2026 and a mobile app by 2028, serving Indigenous consumers and dealerships.
- Sustainability: Achieve 85% retention rate, with 65%+ Indigenous leadership by 2031.
- Recognition: Position Indigenous Rides as a national leader in Indigenous-led business, earning media coverage in outlets like CBC and APTN.
Implementation Timeline
- Year 1 (2026–2027): Hire 5–8 employees (75%+ Indigenous), launch MVP with Creative Fire and CDemo, onboard 2–3 interns.
- Years 2–3 (2028–2029): Grow to 15–25 employees, transition marketing in-house, expand internships to 5–7 youth, launch financial literacy programs.
- Years 4–5 (2029–2031): Scale to 40–60 employees, establish tech hub, sponsor cultural events, achieve national recognition.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Metrics: Indigenous hiring (65%+), retention (85%), youth trained (10+), platform milestones, community event sponsorships.
- Reporting: Annual reports to Manitoba, with Indigenous leadership ensuring cultural sensitivity, aligning with provincial accountability standards.
