As part of its Supplier Diversity program, which covers small, medium, local and Indigenous Businesses, CNL is committed to stimulating Indigenous business, economic development and entrepreneurship by assisting Indigenous, Métis and Inuit businesses and communities in gaining access to contracts and/or participating in employment and capacity-building opportunities. CNL will work collaboratively with local Indigenous, Métis and Inuit communities to help define objectives, targets and mechanisms in support of those objectives.
To facilitate this, the Indigenous Business Network (IBN) has been established to connect Indigenous, Métis and Inuit businesses with each other and with potential partners, resources, and opportunities. The IBN is supported through IndigiMaps.
IndigiMaps provides an interactive tool to view data about Indigenous territories, treaties, language groups, events (such as Pow Wows), Indigenous businesses, friendship centers, hotels and accommodations, and other data that is specific to Indigenous communities and economies, both urban and rural. The IBN highlights and promotes Indigenous cultural events and activities, which can help to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and histories.
