Nick Crighton is all about connections.
That’s why he helped build the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s new Indigenous Business Directory, launched Wednesday.
“It’s crucial to move beyond merely transactional approaches to developing deeper relationships that are grounded more in trust and empathy and understanding. Hopefully this is going to lead to successful engagements,” he said.
The directory is comprised of 470 Indigenous-owned businesses across Saskatchewan.
Crighton, who’s the Indigenous engagement director for the Chamber, said, “It’s not about the number, it’s about just being aware of the Indigenous-owned businesses.”
“Our goal is for (non-Indigenous) businesses … to take a look at the (listings) in that directory and use them in their supply chain.”
The Chamber started the directory as part of its Indigenous Engagement Charter, which was launched in January.
Hosted on the Chamber’s website, the directory functions as an online portal. Potential browsers can find a given business alphabetically, geographically or by classification of type.
The directory also lists verified and unverified businesses.
To be classified as Indigenous and thus included as part of the portal, a business has to be 51 per cent or more Indigenous-owned.
A business wanting entry in the portal can set up its profile by adding contact information, services offered and areas of operation.
Crighton listed the potential outcomes of that: “Get added to the supply chain, get added to procurement lists, get added to bid lists so they can get those kinds of jobs.”
Among the types of companies he listed as possible candidates are those working in apparel, mining and gravel and landscaping.
Crighton also emphasized the importance of the directory helping to build relationships on more than just dollars-and-cents transactions.
“These relationships aren’t going to be built overnight, but you can take incremental steps to grow your knowledge and your approaches to your business.
“Start taking a look at your hiring policies. Start taking a look at your executive team, your board, and all of the different levels of the organization and see if it represents the community that you serve.”
In his mind, those processes will go a long way in growing the province’s economy.
“Hopefully more Indigenous businesses claim their profiles and keep them up to date … it’s a free listing for businesses to highlight what they’re doing.”
Ernie Scoles didn’t mince words about his inclusion in the directory: “Any marketing, any way helps.”
He manages Scoles Fine Arts & Framing in Saskatoon; the Muskeg Lake urban reserve owns the company, he said.
“Lots of people will go there (the online portal), because it’s a Chamber directory,” he said. “It will definitely attract people to it looking for that service … an initiative like this is beneficial.”
