The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) has officially launched its Indigenous Business Directory, as part of its Indigenous Engagement Charter. 听
The Indigenous Business Directory will ensure that more Indigenous-owned businesses can participate in the Saskatchewan supply chain and will allow for increased engagement between members of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous-owned businesses in the province.
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The SCC鈥檚 Indigenous Engagement Charter was launched in January 2020 and serves as a road map to provide businesses with tools to achieve engagement and assists the business community in demonstrating the role it must play in reconciliation. The Indigenous Business Directory is an important addition to the resources offered by the Indigenous Engagement Charter and is a valuable tool for businesses that听are wanting to meaningfully engage with the Indigenous business community in Saskatchewan.
鈥淲e are pleased to announce the launch of our Indigenous Business Directory. This is an important addition to the toolkit provided in the Indigenous Engagement Charter and we are excited to offer this service to Indigenous-owned businesses and those looking to engage with Indigenous-owned business alike,鈥� said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce in a release.
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鈥淭here is huge potential for industry in all sectors across our province to benefit from this directory. It鈥檚 time for business to work with Indigenous-owned businesses and create long-lasting, meaningful partnerships that will benefit all Saskatchewan residents. The goal is to connect industry with Indigenous-owned businesses, and in turn benefit the communities and families they serve,鈥� said Nick Crighton, Director of Indigenous Engagement at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce in the release.
Locally, the provincial initiative is seen as a positive one said Juanita Polegi, Executive Director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.
鈥淭he Yorkton Chamber of Commerce applauds the Saskatchewan Chamber for its initiative in developing the Indigenous Business Directory,鈥� she told Yorkton This Week.听 鈥淚t will certainly prove to be an invaluable resource to those businesses which are interested in learning the types of Indigenous businesses 听and their locations 听within our province.听 And that could lead to partnerships and other opportunities.听 A win-win for all concerned.鈥�
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The Indigenous Business Directory focuses on Indigenous-owned businesses, defined as 51%+ Indigenous-owned, and includes verified and non-verified businesses. The online portal allows for businesses to set up a profile and provide additional information such as locations, services offered and听contact details. Businesses in the directory have been contacted and encouraged to claim their profile and update all details. Adding verified Indigenous-owned businesses to the directory will open-up the market and provide an opportunity for more connections to be made.听听
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The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all Saskatchewan businesses to use the Directory in their procurement and partnership plans. By doing so, businesses will gain quality suppliers and help the overall economy grow.
