The Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA) is designing a shared services pilot program to help grow Indigenous businesses in the local, provincial and national economy.

The project aims to create shared professional support services and resources for NAABA members, while receiving funding from the government of Canada, the government of Alberta, and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism.

“Our organization’s mandate centers around the creation of business development opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Jaime Harpe, President, Board of Directors, NAABA.

“We take great pride in our ability to bring the business community together through various engagement activities, and we see this project as a natural complement to what NAABA has to offer its full members.”

NAABA is in the process of conducting research which will be used to develop a custom program to assist Indigenous businesses as they enhance their admin functions, while also going towards redirecting their valuable resources towards operating their core business.

“Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is a world-leader in Indigenous enterprise and economic participation,” added Kevin Weidlich, President and CEO of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism.

“As stewards of the local economy, we are delighted to support NAABA and its full member businesses as they work through economic recovery and increase their impact in the local and national marketplace.”

The program is planning to move from the design phase into the pilot stage by the end of this year, with aspirations to transition in 2024 to a sustainable signature program NAABA offers its full members on an ongoing basis