Utoo Radio - September 8, 2024 - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is calling for urgent reforms to federal procurement processes to effectively benefit and support First Nations.

The report by Global News and the First Nations University of Canada on the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) revealed significant failures in the current federal procurement processes, including a lack of verification and cases where non-Indigenous businesses exploit the system to secure significant government contracts by falsely claiming Indigenous identity.

The Assembly believes that the process of recognizing First Nations identity must be led by First Nations to ensure legitimacy and validity.

First Nations believe that fair, transparent, and open access to procurement opportunities from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and the private sector is a key priority for First Nations and critical to their economic growth, self-determination, and community well-being.

The Assembly called on the Government of Canada to increase First Nations procurement opportunities and work in partnership with First Nations to ensure policies and practices surrounding First Nations identity and Indigenous business procurement are respectful and reflective of First Nations rights and interests.