SASKATOON — A recent national survey by an Indigenous-led research organization has highlighted a significant gap between Canadian business schools and Indigenous communities, prompting renewed calls for stronger engagement and new programs to help Indigenous entrepreneurs succeed.
Luminary Initiative led the research, backed by the Royal Bank of Canada, which showed that fewer than half of participating Canadian business schools have a dedicated strategy to engage Indigenous people, communities and businesses.
Luminary chief transformation officer Kelly Lendsay said the survey was conducted to address a lack of clear data on how business schools across the country interact with Indigenous communities.
“The Luminary Strategy was co-created in 2021 with 150 partners from academia, Indigenous business and non-profit communities. During the planning process, we realized there was no clear picture of how post-secondary business schools were engaging with Indigenous people, communities and businesses,” said Lendsay.
The findings highlight a major disconnect between academic institutions and Indigenous economic development. Among the participating schools, 59 per cent reported they do not have an Indigenous engagement strategy.
The study also revealed that 78 per cent of business schools would like to develop an Indigenous strategy. Still, about 70 per cent say knowledge gaps among faculty and staff are a barrier to building Indigenous-focused curriculum and content.
Another key finding was the limited focus of research on Indigenous economic development. Only about five per cent of research projects at the surveyed schools focus on business and economic development related to Indigenous communities.
This is notable given the scale of Indigenous economic activity across the country. Canada is home to more than 60,000 Indigenous businesses, with some estimates approaching 100,000, as well as more than 500 Indigenous Economic Development Corporations operating in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
“These numbers show there’s a tremendous opportunity. But the academic system hasn’t fully aligned itself with Indigenous economic development,” said Lendsay, who added that the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan participated in the research.
He said the engagement gap varies across Canada but remains significant overall, particularly compared with progress seen in other fields such as law, health care and education, which have made greater strides toward incorporating Indigenous knowledge and strategies.
Encouraging Indigenous entrepreneurs
This is why the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority offers programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan to access support for developing their businesses, with executive director Erin Lawson adding that these offerings ensure inclusivity.
“We do have some specific programs and workshops geared toward Indigenous entrepreneurship, including entrepreneurs across Saskatchewan. One of the programs is our SORE Indigenous entrepreneurship pitch competition, which we host every year in the fall, and that's a particular initiative geared towards the 20 runners,” said Lawson.
The programs provide training opportunities and initiatives, such as the Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results Indigenous entrepreneurship pitch competition, which provides Indigenous entrepreneurs with mentorship and the chance to present their business ideas to potential supporters.
Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger said Indigenous entrepreneurship represents a major opportunity for Saskatchewan and the country as a whole.
“If you look at Indigenous entrepreneurs, that is a rapidly developing opportunity for Saskatchewan as well. It's not often that I go out and celebrate many of the businesses out there. It may surface as a regional development corporation, a local development corporation, or a security company,” said Belanger.
“There are a lot of folks involved in business who are from the Indigenous community. Let's make sure we generate entrepreneurial numbers. Indigenous entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing opportunity for Saskatchewan. There are many businesses already operating in Indigenous communities, from regional development corporations to local companies.”
He added that a lot of work remains, including continued investment in entrepreneurship programs, which will be key to increasing the number of Indigenous-owned businesses.
Path to Truth & Reconciliation
RBC Truth and Reconciliation director Kelly Brittanee Laverdure said improving Indigenous data and research is part of the bank’s initiative, as it is essential to closing gaps for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Research is essential to exploring these gaps, and there has been a historic underrepresentation of Indigenous data due to inconsistent participation and limited access,” Laverdure said.
She added that supporting initiatives such as the Luminary survey aligns with RBC’s reconciliation commitments to work alongside Indigenous organizations to advance economic growth and innovation.
“The data reinforces that reconciliation is a collaborative journey. Legacy institutions need to understand where they can play a role in driving inclusive economic growth and positive social change," said Laverdure.
Lendsay said the survey will serve as a benchmark for improving engagement between academia and Indigenous communities. Luminary is also launching an Academic Charter for Change partner program to help business schools develop Indigenous engagement strategies.
By strengthening partnerships among universities, Indigenous businesses, research agencies and community organizations, Lendsay believes Canada can build a stronger Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
“By addressing these gaps, we can foster new economic innovation, create jobs and improve community well-being. It’s an opportunity to transform economies and opportunities for Indigenous communities and for Canada as a whole,” he said.
