The number of aboriginal entrepreneurs across the country is growing and they are finding success, according to a Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) survey published Tuesday.
The number of self-employed aboriginal people in Canada was 37,000 in 2006, the survey found – an increase of 38% since 2001.
That’s a startling increase, when compared with a 7% growth rate among self-employed non-aboriginal Canadians for the same period, said Clint Davis.
“The results of the aboriginal business survey shatter the myth that aboriginal people are a drain on Canadian taxpayers,” said Davis, CCAB’s CEO. “The majority of aboriginal businesses are profitable and are experiencing stability or growth. Many aboriginal businesses are hiring and training other aboriginal people.”
B.C. has one of the highest concentrations of self-employed aboriginal people in the country, accounting for 22% of the 37,000 of self-employed First Nations people, the survey showed.
Still, less than half of aboriginal small business owners consider their venture a success.
Business in Vancouver last caught up with Davis in September. At the time, he said that although aboriginals are embracing business more than ever, many bands continue to struggle with a lack of knowledge and people to properly assess business opportunities (see “Building band business capacity” – issue 1091; September 21-27, 2010.)