Blood Tribe Economic Development

To facilitate the development of private, public, and corporate enterprises and initiatives that build a thriving, diversified, and self-sustaining economy.

The Blood Tribe will provide an environment that creates a self-sustaining economy aligning with our principles of Kainayssinni.

It is our purpose to achieve the following goals:

1. To have a vision for future economic development.
2. To seek investment opportunities and generate employment for our people.
3. To create a sustainable future and achieve greater independence.
4. To promote and assist private enterprises through training, grants, and support.

The Business Development area of Economic Development is responsible for promoting and supporting small businesses for tribe members, both on and off the reserve.

The goals of The Small Business Branch are:

• To provide small business entrepreneurs with training, funding, and management support

• Three grant programs with ongoing intake throughout the year: Regular, Elder, Emergency (Estimated minimum of 30 clients per year)

• Support for new and existing business: training, workshops, consultants

• Referrals for funding and other resources to external agencies

• Business computer lab & resource centre for use by entrepreneurs

In order to help Blood Tribe members achieve these goals, The Small Business branch offers the following services:

• Training, funding, and management support through various Small business Grant programs.
• Support for existing businesses, seminars, and other capacity building activities.
• Referrals for funding and other resources to external agencies, including the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC), Treaty 7 Economic Development Corporation (T7EDC), and the Indian Business Corporation (IBC).
• The Small Business Resource Center, located at the Economic Development offices. The Resource Center offers computers, a printer, resource material, and internet access for individuals who are interested in starting a small business or who operate an existing small business.

The small business grant programs provide multiple levels of financial support for Blood Tribe entrepreneurs to start-up, acquire, or expand small businesses. The programs consist of:

1. The Regular Small Business Grant

• This program provides grants to Blood Tribe members who wish to start-up, expand, or acquire a small business.

2. The Elder Small Business Grant

• These grants are available to Blood Tribe members over the age of 55 who are interested in starting, acquiring, or expanding a small business.

3. The Emergency Small Business Grant

• Emergency Small Business Grants are available to Blood Tribe members who require short-term assistance with their businesses.

Please contact the Small Business Officer, Norma Wolf Child, for information on requirements, deadlines, and eligibility for all small business grants.