ABSN

ABSN GAP Analysis

ABSN Background on the Gap Analysis

Aboriginal Business Network Society (ABSN) is an initiative of the Federal Government Aboriginal Business Development Strategy. In 2001, the Community Economic Development Centre and Simon Fraser University (SFU) completed a Gap analysis on "Assessing The Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in British Columbia".

A three year action plan was developed from the 2001 gap analysis which included hiring an ABSN coordinator, developing REACH Sites throughout the Province, a workbook on Aboriginal Business Development and a variety of other tools – intended as capacity development tools for Aboriginal Business Development Officers.

For more information on the 2001 Gap Analysis - view the following files:

Update - November, 2011

On behalf of the Aboriginal Business Services Network Society, Eagle Spirit Community Solutions is conducting research on the needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs in British Columbia. The research will be used to ensure that services offered to Aboriginal people are timely, relevant, and effective.

Aboriginal Entrepreneurs - Survey
For the Aboriginal Entrepreneurs - we are asking you to complete a survey about your experience as an entrepreneur. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and you are free to stop participating at any time. The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
COMPLETE ONLINE SURVEY

Aboriginal Service Provider - Survey
For the Service Provider - we are asking you to complete a survey about your experience as a service provider. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and you are free to stop participating at any time. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.
COMPLETE ONLINE SURVEY

All the information that you provide in the survey (including your email address) will be kept in strict confidence by the research team. By beginning the survey, you are indicating you understand and accept the above.

The outcome of this research will be a report on ways in which Aboriginal organizations and governments can best serve Aboriginal entrepreneurs. The report will also include an inventory of organizations and services for Aboriginal entrepreneurs in British Columbia. The final report will be available in hard copy, and will also be available on the web site of the Aboriginal Business Services Network Society (www.absn.ca).

If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact Veronica Creyke, of Eagle Spirit Community Solutions, at 250-957-4373, vcreyke[at]gmail.com, or Marie Baptiste, of the Aboriginal Business Services Network, at (250) 828-9834 or marie[at]www.absn.ca.

Thank you for your contribution to this important research.

PLEASE E-MAIL THE COMPLETED SURVEY TO:
EagleSpiritSolutions[at]gmail.com OR
FAX IT TO 250-957-4373.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME ANYWHERE ON THE SURVEY

Special thanks to Vancity Centre and Aboriginal Business Canada - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for their financial contributions to this project.

Update - September, 2011

The Aboriginal Business Service Network is pleased to announce that it has contracted with Eagle Spirit Community Solutions to update the 2001 Gap Analysis. Eagle Spirit Community Solutions will be working in partnership with the University of Northern BC - Community Development Institute & Simon Fraser University - Centre for Sustainable Community Development. The Eagle Spirit Community Solutions Project Team includes:

Ray Gerow, Principal, Eagle Spirit Community Solutions
Charles Horn – Department of Political Science, University of Victoria
Dr. Greg Halseth, Professor in the Geography Program at the University of Northern British Columbia and Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies and the Acting Director of UNBC‘s Community Development Institute.
Don Manson, Adjunct Professor in the Geography Program at UNBC. and Coordinator of the Community Development Institute
Dr. Sean Markey, Assistant Professor, Resource Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University
Charles Scott, Economic Development Professional – University of Northern British Columbia
Jacob Beaton, President and founder of Copper Moon.
Fabian Sparvier, Owner/Editor, Nista Magazine
Veronica Creyke, Eagle Spirit Community Solutions
Julia Schwamborn, UNBC, Community Development Institute.

The Gap analysis is to "Assess the Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in British Columbia". From this work there will be four reports generated, as follows:

Assessing the Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in BC- Report and Recommendations
Assessing the Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in BC – Inventory of Providers and Services
Assessing the Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in BC - Literature Review
Assessing the Business Information Needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in BC - Appendices

In order to complete this work Team members will be interviewing service providers and Aboriginal entrepreneurs. ABSN encourages each and every organization to actively participate in the surveys and other project activities.

ABSN also encourages Aboriginal entrepreneurs to complete the survey questionnaires that will be developed and to engage in the focus groups that will be hosted by different communities in the province. It is anticipated that the Gap Analysis Study and recommendations will provide useful guidance for the future of services and supports to Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

In May, 2011 ABSN formed the "Gap Analysis Steering Committee" (GASC) consisting of volunteer Aboriginal business providers from Aboriginal Capital Corporations, Community Futures offices and Business Development Centres, along with Provincial and Federal representatives, to create a comprehensive and integrated strategy to support the growth and development of Aboriginal Business.

The members of the GASC are as follows:

Helder Ponte, Kootenay Aboriginal Business Development Society
Julia Kristjanson, Aboriginal Business Canada, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada
Art Lew, Haida Gwaii Community Futures
Sandy Wong, Tal'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation
Rocio Zielinski, Sto:lo Community Futures Development Corporation
Marie Baptiste, Aboriginal Business Service Network Society
Geri Collins, ABSN Administrator; Director of Operations, Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations

The report must be completed by February 29, 2012