A vibrant British Columbia economy is one where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people work together and form meaningful business partnerships.

 

To realize this vision, what is needed now more than ever is a BC-wide organization that can be the catalyst for connecting industry and the Aboriginal business community.  This organization must have the knowledge, experience, and relationships to foster connections, further procurement strategies, and ignite partnerships. It must be creative and innovative in the delivery of the programs and services it provides. It must be capable of communicating to corporate Canadians that Aboriginal businesses are not only here, but they are “ready to do business now” and positioned to participate in the economy long-term. 

 

The new Industry Council for Aboriginal Business (ICAB) is this organization. The new ICAB is the leading conduit between Aboriginal business and industry. We are the “go-to” organization for creating mutually beneficial opportunities for shared prosperity for our members.

 

We have clear strategies for the new ICAB’s role in working towards shared prosperity. ICAB is creating value for its members by:

• Working with industry members to create and operationalize Aboriginal procurement policies.  

• Fostering relationships with Aboriginal leadership to gain access to their Aboriginal business communities. ICAB will assist these businesses with entry into the supply chains of industry projects that are being developed or operating within First Nations territories, while at the same time respecting each Nation’s protocols and laws.

• Reinvigorating ICAB’s Virtual Marketplace. This is the place where ICAB members gain access to BC Aboriginal Business Association (BCABA) members, and BCABA members pursue contracts and partnerships.

• Supporting both stakeholder groups by fostering mutual cultural literacy.

• Delivering federally funded programs that are related to Aboriginal procurement and partnerships, Aboriginal business, supply chains, and First Nations economic development where business is concerned. 

 

The new ICAB will meet the needs of the Aboriginal businesses, which want to participate and prosper as projects are developed within their traditional territories. And it will meet the needs of industry, which recognizes that it is good business to localize procurement and build partnerships with Aboriginal businesses. 

 

We invite you to work with us to create a British Columbia in which we all prosper together. To become an ICAB member, visit our member page or contact us at info@icab.ca or 604.929.7379.

 

Respectfully,

 

Keith Atkinson

ICAB Vice-President