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Many people do not know about these. Check who can get each one.
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NADF (IFI)
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Businesses in NADF area
What it gives: Non-repayable grant
Amount: Up to $8,000
Good to know: Little-known one-time digital grant.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: First Nations Agriculture & Financing of Ontario (IFI)
Who can get it: First Nations. Youth; South Central/Eastern ON (farm/food anywhere in ON)
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant
Amount: Loan up to $13,800 (6%) + grant up to $6,200
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit interns. Northern Ontario employers (incl. Indigenous businesses/communities)
What it gives: Wage subsidy (52-week internship)
Amount: Up to 90% to $35,000/yr (communities/non-profits); up to 75% to $52,500/yr (businesses)
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: MVDF (Métis Capital Corp)
Who can get it: Métis (≥50% Métis-owned). Ontario for-profit businesses
What it gives: Loans + non-repayable business-plan support
Amount: Financing up to $1,500,000
Call 613-798-0133Call 855-798-0133Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Women; business >50% owned & controlled by Indigenous women
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant + coaching
Amount: Up to $25,000 total (typ. 50% loan / 45% grant / 5% equity – per IFI guidelines)
Good to know: Delivered by each IFI; terms vary slightly.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Futurpreneur Canada with RBC Origins and BDC
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit (self-identify), on or off reserve. Youth 18–39; pre-launch or ≤24 months operating
What it gives: Collateral-free loan + 2 yrs mentorship
Amount: Up to $75,000 ($25,000 Futurpreneur + up to $50,000 BDC); follow-on up to $40,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Businesses, organizations, communities
What it gives: Free single-window referral to federal programs
Amount: Free
Good to know: Email navigator@sac-isc.gc.ca; reply in ~3 business days.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: New Relationship Trust (BC)
Who can get it: BC First Nations. Individual & community businesses (via regional AFIs)
What it gives: Grant (equity match)
Amount: Up to $7,500 individual; up to $25,000 community business
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Nunatsiavut Government
Who can get it: Inuit (LILCA beneficiaries, Labrador). 18+, on Inuit Business Registry
What it gives: Non-repayable grant
Amount: Up to $10,000/yr; $25,000 lifetime
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: ESDC via ~110 Indigenous service delivery organizations
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit & urban/non-affiliated. Job seekers; some fund self-employment training
What it gives: Training, wage subsidies, skills funding
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Agriculture/agri-food individuals & businesses
What it gives: Free advisory & referral
Amount: Free
Good to know: 1-866-367-8506.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: däna Näye Ventures (trustee)
Who can get it: Yukon First Nations. Start, buy, expand businesses
What it gives: Investment
Amount: $5,000 to $100,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Cree Nation Government – Department of Commerce and Industry
Who can get it: Cree (JBNQA beneficiaries); Cree-owned businesses (100% or 51%). Eeyou Istchee businesses; business plan, 10% cash equity, Band Council Resolution
What it gives: Non-repayable grant / forgivable equipment loan
Amount: Up to 25% of eligible costs, max $150,000 per application
Good to know: A committee approves requests over $25,000.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Cree Nation Government
Who can get it: Cree (JBNQA beneficiaries). Construction, real estate, renovation, landscaping and design businesses
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Up to 25% of project cost, max $100,000
Good to know: No deadline – one-by-one review.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Kitikmeot Inuit Association
Who can get it: Kitikmeot Inuit; Inuit-owned businesses. Start-up, capital, product development, marketing; ~10% equity
What it gives: Non-repayable contribution
Amount: Up to $25,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Kivalliq Inuit Association
Who can get it: Kivalliq Inuit; Inuit-owned businesses. Five categories: planning & development, creation & expansion, marketing, training, business relief
What it gives: Non-repayable
Amount: Lifetime maximum $25,000 in each of the 5 categories
Good to know: Policy updated April 2026.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Nisga'a Lisims Government
Who can get it: Nisga'a citizens / Nisga'a businesses. Start-up, expansion, feasibility, business skills
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Contact: nisgaabusinessdevfund@nisgaanation.ca or 250-633-3000 (from the official page).
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Alberta Indian Investment Corporation
Who can get it: Status First Nations (Alberta resident 1+ yr). With AIIC loan; ~10% cash equity; business must yield $20,000+/yr owner income
What it gives: Non-repayable grant
Amount: Up to 30% (expansion) / 40% (start-up) of costs, max $99,999
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: BC First Citizens' Fund delivered by BC Aboriginal Capital Corporations
Who can get it: First Nations (BC). Start-up/expansion; 15% equity
What it gives: Partially forgivable loan
Amount: TRICORP: lifetime max $116,725 individual / $350,175 community, 40% forgiven on full repayment; TACC: up to $75,000, 40% forgivable
Good to know: Part of the loan (40%) is forgiven when you pay back the rest.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Delivered by däna Näye Ventures, AIIC, Waubetek, Akaitcho BDC and others
Who can get it: Indigenous women (majority-owned business). Any size business
What it gives: Loan
Amount: däna Näye: up to $50,000; AIIC: up to $50,000; Waubetek: up to $50,000 (package ≤ $100,000)
Good to know: Ask each lender how it works with the IWE micro-loan.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: First Nations Agriculture and Financing of Ontario
Who can get it: First Nations women (Ontario). Any sector, full- or part-time, on or off reserve
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant
Amount: Loan up to $13,800 (6%, no payments first year) + grant up to $6,200; 5% equity
Good to know: The women's version of the FNYE youth program.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: First Nations Agriculture and Financing of Ontario
Who can get it: First Nations (Ontario). New farmers: machinery, inputs, buildings, storage
What it gives: Loan + grant
Amount: Financing up to $50,000 with grant of 30% up to $15,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NunatuKavut Business Centre (Nunacor) with NunatuKavut Community Council
Who can get it: Inuit (NunatuKavut members). Entrepreneurs needing a consultant for a business plan
What it gives: Non-repayable cost share
Amount: 75% of consulting cost, max $6,500 (before taxes)
Good to know: You pay 25% and anything over $6,500.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NunatuKavut Business Centre / NunatuKavut Community Council
Who can get it: Inuit (NunatuKavut members). Unemployed or underemployed (<20 hrs/wk) starting a new business; YESS stream up to age 30
What it gives: Living benefit
Amount: Up to $8,000, max 8 months
Good to know: Apply no later than 6 months after start of business. Professional business plan required.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NunatuKavut Business Centre
Who can get it: Inuit (NunatuKavut members). Business owners or key staff; training tied to the business
What it gives: Non-repayable training cost share
Amount: 75% of training cost, max $3,500
Good to know: Needs Business Advisor recommendation.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
Who can get it: First Nations (New Brunswick). Individually owned or community-owned businesses; business plans, marketing plans, training, mentoring
What it gives: Non-repayable (reimbursement)
Amount: Up to 50% of planning costs: max $8,000 (individual) / $16,000 (community-owned)
Good to know: First-come first-served, limited funds. Needs business number/registration.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Kakivak Association
Who can get it: Inuit (Qikiqtani). Artists/craftspeople; High Arctic communities (Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung)
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Carving tools up to $1,000; sewing machine up to $2,500 (once every 5 years); High Arctic up to $10,000
Good to know: Good for artists and sewers.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Waubetek Business Development Corporation
Who can get it: First Nations communities and First Nation-owned businesses; Aboriginal students/youth. Capacity-building projects; summer businesses
What it gives: Grant; loan
Amount: Community Economic Grants up to $10,000; student summer business loans max $1,500
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed Lesser-known
Who runs it: Manitoba Arts Council
Who can get it: Indigenous artists, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous-led groups (75% Indigenous staff). Arts projects
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Micro up to $1,000; small up to $5,000; large up to $15,000
Good to know: The Oct 25 deadline has passed. Next deadline: April 25.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed Lesser-known
Who runs it: SK Arts
Who can get it: First Nations and Métis artists (Saskatchewan). Any art form, individual/collective
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Basic $2,000; Intermediate $7,500; Major $18,000
Good to know: The Oct 15 deadline has passed. Next deadline: April 15.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: BC Arts Council
Who can get it: Indigenous artists (BC). Arts projects
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Amount not stated
Apply by: Nov 12, 2026
Good to know: Apply by Nov 12, 2026 (new applicants register by Nov 4, 2026).
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Tewatohnhi'saktha
Who can get it: Kahnawà:ke youth ages 15-35. Start or expand a viable business
What it gives: Loan
Amount: Direct loans up to $15,000 (ages 15 to 35); 25% forgiven once 75% is repaid on time
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Citxw Nlaka'pamux Assembly with Interior Indigenous Community Futures
Who can get it: Members of participating CNA bands. Establishing, modernizing or expanding a business
What it gives: Equity-matching grant
Amount: Up to $10,000
Good to know: Example of a Nation fund delivered through an IFI.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026