Success and Sustainability

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Success and Sustainability: Understanding Aboriginal Businesses in the Agriculture Sector

Published: Winter 2018

A detailed report on Indigenous businesses in the Agriculture and Agri-Food industry has never been done before. CCAB, with support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is pleased to release our preliminary report titled Success and Sustainability: Understanding Aboriginal Businesses in the Agriculture Sector – Winter 2018.

This research outlines how a typical Indigenous business in this industry operates – commodity types, size of business, business objectives, revenue, challenges, and more. As well, the traditional and spiritual connection that Indigenous people have with Agriculture and the influence that played in choosing their commodity was expressed in the research. This is a unique feature for Indigenous businesses in Agriculture that may not be true for Canadian business owners in this industry.

The industry is adapting to the global market and new technologies. Many respondents mentioned the connection their product has with other emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals and aquaponics as well as their personal goal of using their business to address food insecurity in many Indigenous communities across Canada.