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ACOA – Indigenous economic development in Atlantic Canada

Who runs it: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Atlantic provinces

What it gives: Contributions (Business Development Program etc.)

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Lists REGI, Innovative Communities Fund, BDP, Community Futures.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

ACOA – Innovative Communities Fund (Indigenous communities)

Who runs it: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Who can get it: Indigenous communities and Indigenous-controlled non-profits. Community economic development projects

What it gives: Non-repayable

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Funded e.g. Innu Business Development Centre and MCPEI/Epekwitk economic office.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

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Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI)

Who runs it: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Who can get it: Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati communities (eligible Atlantic/Gaspé). Communal commercial fishing enterprises

What it gives: Non-repayable contributions, training, business advice

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Community enterprises, not individuals.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Newfoundland and Labrador Green Transition Fund – Indigenous stream

Who runs it: Government of NL (Jobs, Growth and Rural Development)

Who can get it: Indigenous governments, organizations and businesses. Green-economy projects

What it gives: Non-repayable

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Northern REACHE

Who runs it: CIRNAC

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit & northern communities. Yukon, NWT, Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador

What it gives: Contribution (clean energy)

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: No deadline (continuous).

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Qalipu First Nation – Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)

Who runs it: Qalipu First Nation (Education & Training)

Who can get it: Indigenous (Qalipu clients). Starting a full-time, non-home-based business; apply before business opens

What it gives: Living allowance grant + business-plan consultant funding

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Funds are for personal support only, not business investment. Home-based businesses not eligible.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Lesser-known

AAFC Indigenous Pathfinder Service

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.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program – Access to Business Opportunities

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: First Nations & Inuit communities, Indigenous-owned organizations/associations. Regional or national projects only – NOT individual start-ups

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution

Amount: Up to $500,000 per recipient per year (stream budget $850,000/yr)

Apply by: Oct 31, 2026

Good to know: 2026 deadline Oct 31, 2026.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program – Access to Capital (delivered as NACCA Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program)

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada via NACCA, IFIs and Métis Capital Corporations

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Start-up, expansion, acquisition; individuals and community-owned businesses

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution (with IFI loan)

Amount: Up to $99,999 individuals; up to $250,000 community-owned businesses (per NACCA IEP page)

Good to know: Apply through your local IFI/Métis Capital Corp, not ISC directly. No deadline.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities

Who runs it: Public Health Agency of Canada

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Children 0–6 off-reserve/urban/north

What it gives: Free early learning & family programs

Amount: Free

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan

Who runs it: Business Development Bank of Canada

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Businesses operating ≥12 months; Canadian citizen/PR

What it gives: Loan (preferred rate, no fees)

Amount: Up to $350,000

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Build Native 2.0

Who runs it: Centre for Native Nation Builders (Shopify as platform)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Start-up to scale, e-commerce

What it gives: Training, mentorship, digital tools

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Successor to Shopify's discontinued Build Native.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Canada Council – Creating, Knowing and Sharing

Who runs it: Canada Council for the Arts

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Artists, cultural carriers, groups, orgs

What it gives: Grants (travel, small-scale, short/long-term projects)

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Useful for artisans/creative businesses.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program

Who runs it: Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation (CDEV)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit groups/communities. Equity stakes in major natural resource & energy projects

What it gives: Loan guarantee

Amount: $20 million to $1 billion per guarantee ($10B program)

Good to know: Community-scale, not small business.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

CCIB Tools for Indigenous Business (TIB) & grants listing

Who runs it: CCIB

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs (free for members)

What it gives: Training, templates, grant listings

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

CIB Indigenous Equity Initiative

Who runs it: Canada Infrastructure Bank

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit communities. Equity in infrastructure projects CIB also invests in

What it gives: Loan

Amount: $5 million to $100 million; up to 90% of Indigenous equity

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

CMHC On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing (Section 95)

Who runs it: CMHC

Who can get it: First Nations (on reserve). Communities building rental housing

What it gives: Loans up to 100% capital + operating subsidy

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

CMHC On-Reserve Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP)

Who runs it: CMHC

Who can get it: First Nations (on reserve) homeowners/landlords. Repairs, accessibility, secondary suites

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution

Amount: Up to $60,000 per unit (+25% north/remote or accessibility) per CMHC fact sheet

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Community Opportunity Readiness Program (CORP)

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: First Nations and Inuit communities/governments (provinces). Feasibility, business planning, equity gap for community-owned businesses, multi-business infrastructure

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution

Amount: Up to $3 million (economic opportunities, infrastructure); up to $1 million (business planning and advice)

Good to know: You need other money too, plus at least 10% cash. Contact the ISC regional office.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

EDC Indigenous entrepreneurs (incl. Inclusive Trade Investment Program)

Who runs it: Export Development Canada

Who can get it: Indigenous-owned/led exporters. Exporters

What it gives: Guarantees, credit insurance, equity

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

FCC Indigenous Agriculture & Food Lending

Who runs it: Farm Credit Canada

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit, economic development corps, communities. On- and off-reserve agriculture, food, harvesting

What it gives: Loans

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Lesser-known

Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)

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

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Business Export Support Program

Who runs it: Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada)

Who can get it: Indigenous majority-owned businesses. Exporters

What it gives: Export funding, trade missions, advice

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Continuous intake.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Lesser-known

Indigenous Business Navigator

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.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) – 20/20 Catalysts Program

Who runs it: Indigenous Clean Energy

Who can get it: Indigenous clean-energy champions. Capacity building

What it gives: Training/mentorship

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care

Who runs it: ESDC with Indigenous partners

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Families with young children

What it gives: Child care funding/programs

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF)

Who runs it: NACCA with BDC Capital (fund manager), federal & private investors

Who can get it: Indirect – lends to IFIs who lend to First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Growth-stage businesses via IFIs

What it gives: Debt capital to IFIs (evergreen fund)

Amount: Fund of ~$153M committed (not a per-business amount)

Good to know: Entrepreneurs access it through their IFI.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI)

Who runs it: Natural Resources Canada / Wah-ila-toos, with Indigenous Clean Energy

Who can get it: Remote Indigenous communities. Clean-energy champions, planning, project development

What it gives: Non-repayable

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Works in groups (cohorts). No open intake found.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Prosperity Foundation

Who runs it: NACCA (charitable arm)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs, youth

What it gives: Grants/awards & programs via IFIs

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indigenous Screen Office funding (Production for All, Marketing/Distribution, Travel, Development)

Who runs it: Indigenous Screen Office

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Screen-based creators/companies

What it gives: Grants

Amount: Amount not stated

Apply by: Nov 25, 2026

Good to know: Production Program for All deadline Nov 25, 2026.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Lesser-known

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program – find your local provider

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

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Indspire Building Brighter Futures bursaries & scholarships

Who runs it: Indspire (charity)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Post-secondary students

What it gives: Bursaries/scholarships

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Jordan's Principle

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: First Nations children (incl. off-reserve). Children/youth under age of majority

What it gives: Funds health, social, education products & services

Amount: Case-by-case

Good to know: 24/7 line 1-855-572-4453.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Lands and Economic Development Services Program (LEDSP)

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: First Nations and Inuit communities. Core funding for community economic development officers and land management

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Community-level. Same application package as CORP.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Mitacs Indigenous Pathways

Who runs it: Mitacs (non-profit, federally funded)

Who can get it: Indigenous-owned businesses, Indigenous governments, Indigenous-led non-profits, or Indigenous interns. R&D internship, min 4 months

What it gives: Internship cost share

Amount: Partner pays 25%; Mitacs funds up to 75%

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NACCA Business Financing Program

Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs

What it gives: Loans via IFIs

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NACCA Housing Finance Network

Who runs it: NACCA / participating IFIs

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Homebuyers/households (incl. on-reserve where offered)

What it gives: Housing finance (mortgages/loans) via IFIs

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NACCA Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program (IEP)

Who runs it: NACCA / IFI network

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs and community businesses

What it gives: Non-repayable contribution

Amount: Up to $99,999 individual; up to $250,000 community-owned

Good to know: Same money as AEP Access to Capital; entry point is your IFI.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NACCA Indigenous Tourism support

Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Tourism businesses

What it gives: Financing & support via IFIs

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Lesser-known

NACCA Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Program (IWE)

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.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NACCA Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs program

Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Youth (NADF version: 18–39)

What it gives: Micro-loan + grant + training

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: Registered First Nations & recognized Inuit. All ages

What it gives: Drugs, dental, vision, equipment, counselling, medical travel

Amount: Benefit coverage

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NRC IRAP (Indigenous-owned SMEs eligible)

Who runs it: National Research Council Canada

Who can get it: Indigenous-owned/led SMEs (not Indigenous-only). Incorporated, for-profit, ≤500 employees, technology innovation

What it gives: Advisory + non-repayable funding

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Open to all small businesses, including Indigenous-owned ones.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

NWAC #BeTheDrum entrepreneurship navigation

Who runs it: Native Women's Association of Canada

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Women, Two-Spirit, transgender & gender-diverse

What it gives: Navigation, mentorship, workshops

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

On-reserve Income Assistance

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada via bands

Who can get it: First Nations ordinarily resident on reserve (and status FN in Yukon). Low/no income

What it gives: Income assistance (last resort)

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) & UCEPP

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada via bands/organizations

Who can get it: Registered First Nations (status). Students

What it gives: Tuition, books, travel, living allowance

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: Apply through your band.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Who runs it: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Who can get it: Indigenous-led ventures (Canada & US). Seed to Series B, scalable

What it gives: Venture equity

Amount: First investments usually $250,000 to $3 million

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

RBC Origins – Indigenous banking & entrepreneurs

Who runs it: RBC

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, businesses, communities

What it gives: Banking, capital, partners (e.g., Futurpreneur IESP)

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Scotiabank services for Indigenous peoples

Who runs it: Scotiabank

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, bands, economic development corps

What it gives: Banking, financing

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Strategic Partnerships Initiative

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada (federal partners)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit communities. Community-scale multi-year opportunities; no direct applications – federal partners bring projects forward

What it gives: Contribution

Amount: Program budget $14.45M/yr (not per project)

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

TD Indigenous Banking (personal & commercial)

Who runs it: TD Bank Group

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, businesses, communities

What it gives: Banking, financing

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Wah-ila-toos (clean energy single window)

Who runs it: Government of Canada (NRCan, ISC, CIRNAC, ECCC)

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit communities, Indigenous governments, dev corps. Clean energy projects

What it gives: Funding & technical support (multiple programs)

Amount: Amount not stated

Good to know: CERRC fully committed; check which sub-programs are open.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open Not free (membership fee)

CAMSC Supplier Certification (Indigenous-owned businesses)

Who runs it: Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (non-profit)

Who can get it: Indigenous (51%+ owned, managed, controlled); also visible minorities. For-profit Canadian businesses

What it gives: Certification (access to corporate buyers)

Amount: Not free (membership fee)

Good to know: Not free: there is a yearly membership fee. Free options: the federal Indigenous Business Directory and CCIB Certified Indigenous Business.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

CCIB Certified Indigenous Business (CIB)

Who runs it: CCIB

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Business ≥51% Indigenous-owned & controlled

What it gives: Certification, procurement marketplace

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

First Nations Procurement Authority

Who runs it: NACCA (FNPA)

Who can get it: First Nations. Communities & businesses

What it gives: Group purchasing / procurement savings

Amount: Amount not stated

Last checked Oct 31, 2026

Open

Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) + Indigenous Business Directory

Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada

Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Business ≥51% Indigenous-owned and controlled

What it gives: Access to set-aside federal contracts (5% federal target)

Amount: n/a (contract access)

Good to know: Register at services.sac-isc.gc.ca/REA-IBD; PSIB contracts need ≥33% Indigenous content.

Last checked Oct 31, 2026