Resources for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2024

At CanWCC, we are committed to Indigenous Reconciliation. We recognize that we all play a crucial role in the path toward real Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. We sincerely want to take active steps towards reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion in everything we do, and we’re still learning.

On September 30th, we encourage all Canadians to recognize the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation by supporting local Indigenous businesses and communities and learning about Indigenous histories, worldviews, and perspectives.

To support the Indigenous members of our community and their allies, we have compiled a list of resources and support organizations for Indigenous business owners and educational materials for their allies.

For Indigenous business owners:

Business Support Organizations:

  • Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major business awards, and national events.
  • Empowered Nations supports Indigenous self-determination and prosperity through accessible entrepreneurship and innovation training, mentorship, and networking.
  • Indigenous Innovation Initiative is an Indigenous innovation platform. Their goal is to empower Indigenous innovators and communities to identify and solve their own challenges, transforming lives and driving inclusive growth and health through innovation.
  • Sage Initiative is an Indigenous Womxn’s impact investing collective. Sage Initiative puts Indigenous womxn squarely in the driver’s seat, providing the skills and pathways to become impact investors that honour Indigenous concepts of commerce. (For investors and aspiring Investors)
  • Indigenous Prosperity Foundation brings donors, funders and granting organizations together and partners with Indigenous Financial Institutions and ecosystem partners across Canada to support underserved Indigenous women, youth, and early-stage entrepreneurs to start and grow thriving businesses.
  • National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. 
  • Indigenous Tech Circle is dedicated to expanding the Indigenous Tech Ecosystem and creating equitable outcomes for Indigenous Peoples through technology.
  • The Inuit Women in Business Network is a dedicated platform designed to empower and support Inuit women entrepreneurs. Our mission is to provide essential resources, practical guides, and information for Inuit women to thrive in their business goals.
  • Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | City of Toronto: As the country’s largest incubator supporting First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs and innovators, the City of Toronto is working with the local Indigenous community to develop the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE).

Resources and Programs:

Community Support Organizations:

  • Native Women’s Association of Canada is a National Indigenous Organization that defends the rights, delivers programming to, and amplifies the perspectives of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations – on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised – Métis, and Inuit.
  • Indigenous Youth Roots supports Indigenous youth (15-29) to develop their stories, skills and futures through funding, policy, learning and community engagement. IYR offers programs and events on topics such as Two Spirit culture, regalia making, policy school and more.
  • Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
  • True North Aid is a Canadian charity that provides practical aid and funding to remote Indigenous communities facing poverty and inequality.

For Non-Indigenous People and Allies:

Support Indigenous Businesses & Communities:

Organizations Working Towards Reconciliation:

  • One Day’s Pay: A grassroots campaign encouraging settlers and non-Indigenous people in Canada to donate one day’s pay or what you can afford to Indigenous-led projects, movements, organizations and nations.
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation comes from the TRC. They ensure continued preservation, education and research on Residential Schools.
  • Reconciliation Canada: A non-profit organization that fosters reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians through dialogue and transformative experiences.
  • The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund: Inspired by Chanie Wenjack’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
  • See how the 94 TRC Calls to Action are progressing via Indigenous Watchdog

Educate Yourself on Indigenous History & Culture:

Trigger Warning: Content includes references to genocide and colonial and racial trauma.

Classroom & K-12 Resources:

Note: This resource list has been curated by the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce for educational purposes in order to support Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Canada and help individuals and businesses educate themselves on their reconciliation journey. We are not affiliated with these groups and are not responsible for any changes in availability, outdated information or broken links on these websites.

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About CanWCC 

The Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) is the only chamber of commerce in Canada that advocates explicitly for diverse women-identified and non-binary entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners. Launched in 2018, CanWCC is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to create equal opportunities for women-identified and non-binary entrepreneurs to thrive in business. 

CanWCC is a nationally incorporated, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocacy, advancement, and connection for and on behalf of its members. CanWCC’s membership consists of women-identified entrepreneurs and organizations that are at least 50% woman(en)-owned and led.

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