b'ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTThe Ontario First Nations Business DirectoryNew COO initiative will help bridge economic gap for First Nations-owned businesses in OntarioBY RICK GARRICKT he Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is looking to increase economic opportu-nities through the devel-opment of the Ontario First Nations Business Directory with detailed maps displaying locations, contacts and other key information about First Nations- Chippewas of the Thames Chief Joe Miskokomon recently highlighted the importance of the owned businesses across the province.Chiefs of Ontarios development of the Ontario First Nations Business Directory. The directory is being created to facilitateSubmitted photo.the procurement of goods and services from First Nations businesses. Chief Miskokomon says the directorythat there are gaps in the economy and Most First Nations businesses dontwould also be important for Firstwe need to be able to fill those gaps.have a lot of resources to do a lot ofNations to see if there are economicCOO stresses that the First Nations self-promotion, and consequently theygaps of services that are not beingprinciples of ownership, control, access go unnoticed, says Chippewas of theprovided. When were entering this eraand possession (OCAP) are important Thames Chief Joe Miskokomon. Duringof economic reconciliation, theres goingfor maintaining First Nations data procurement projects where there areto be a need to understand what servicessovereignty, and those principles will be Aboriginal procurement requirements,are available currently, what potentialclosely followed during development of many of the bigger firms that can applyservices may be required, but then that for these major projects dont really knowhas to couple up with training andthe directory. Data collected will remain how many First Nations businesses theredevelopment, he explains. So I think itunder the care of both COO and the are or what area the businesses are in, soprovides valuable data for communities,Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy they often go under the radar and neverfor leadership, for economic(IFSD), governed by an agreement get those calls. development corporations to understandobserving OCAP principles.28l I ssue1 2024/25C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'