Clear answers for buyers, businesses, and communities.

Start with GatherNorth’s directory of 7,304 business profiles. Search by product, service, industry, province, territory, city, community, or stated Indigenous identity. Open a profile to review its location, services, website, contact options, and the evidence supporting its inclusion.

Browse by province, territory, city, or community, or enter a service and place together, such as “catering Winnipeg” or “construction Nunavut.” A business location does not always define its service area, so check the profile and confirm delivery or remote service directly.

Yes. Products and services offered for public sale are intended for customers. Buying directly from an Indigenous-owned business or named artist is a practical way to support their work. For cultural items, read the maker’s guidance and ask respectful questions when an item’s use or meaning is unclear.

No. Indigenous-owned describes ownership or control of a business. Indigenous-made describes who made a product. “Made in Canada” is an origin claim governed by separate Canadian labelling rules. A business may be Indigenous-owned while selling some third-party goods, so verify the specific claim that matters to your purchase.

Look for a named artist or maker, an explicit description of who made the item, and a direct relationship between the seller and creator. Distinguish “Indigenous-made” from “Indigenous-inspired.” If the listing is unclear, ask who created the work, how the artist is credited, and whether the artist or community benefits from the sale.

No. GatherNorth includes local, regional, remote-service, and Canada-wide businesses. Review the service area, website, and contact details on the profile, then confirm availability, shipping costs, timelines, and project coverage with the business.

GatherNorth combines published business, directory, and registry sources. It does not infer Indigenous identity or ownership from a name, location, appearance, or website language. A suggested business is reviewed before anything is published.

No. Profiles clearly separate externally reported verification or qualification, a confirmed directory listing, and membership or self-reported evidence. These labels describe the available source evidence; they are not a GatherNorth certification.

No. GatherNorth is a discovery and research directory. For a purchase or contract that requires current certification, confirm the requirement with the business and the relevant registry, procurement authority, or certifying organization.

The directory data was last refreshed in September 2026. Profiles may be updated at different times, and ownership, services, contact details, and availability can change. Check the business website and confirm time-sensitive information directly.

Use the suggestion form to propose a business, or the update form to request a correction, claim, or removal. No account is required and submissions do not publish automatically. Include a public supporting page when possible so the request can be reviewed.

Yes. Searching the public directory and suggesting a listing or correction are free. GatherNorth does not charge shoppers or buyers to open profiles and does not sell placement within search results.

For the federal Indigenous Business Directory, a sole proprietorship, limited company, co-operative, partnership, or not-for-profit must be at least 51% owned and controlled by Indigenous people. A joint venture must also be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more Indigenous businesses. The federal program assesses the required evidence.

For a contract set aside under the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business, the offeror must be listed in the federal Indigenous Business Directory or a Modern Treaty business list or directory recognized by Canada, and must meet the solicitation’s other requirements.

Use GatherNorth to build a shortlist, then confirm current ownership or certification with the business and the registry required by your procurement policy. Also complete normal supplier due diligence, including capability, references, pricing, insurance, licences, sanctions screening, delivery area, and contract-specific requirements.

Register as a supplier on CanadaBuys, obtain the required business and procurement accounts, monitor tender notices, and consider applying to the federal Indigenous Business Directory if the business meets its criteria. Registration increases visibility but does not guarantee a contract.

Yes, but support is not limited to grants. The 72 programs tracked by GatherNorth can include grants, loans, contributions, guarantees, equity, and advisory support. Eligibility may depend on location, business stage, industry, ownership, project costs, and application timing. A potential match is not an approval.

Indigenous Financial Institutions, community economic development organizations, friendship centres, and other regional or national organizations may provide financing, planning, mentorship, and application support. Services and eligibility vary, so contact the organization directly.

No. The exemption under section 87 of the Indian Act is fact-specific. For a sole proprietorship or partnership, business income may be exempt when it is situated on a reserve, based on connecting factors such as where income-earning activities occur. The exemption does not apply to corporations simply because they are Indigenous-owned. Consult the Canada Revenue Agency or a qualified tax professional for your circumstances.