Indigenous Procurement Policy Dialogue (IPOD)
The National Indigenous Fisheries Institute, with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, led a dialogue to strengthen Indigenous participation in federal procurement.
In collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, the National Indigenous Fisheries Institute convened a virtual workshop series focused on Indigenous procurement opportunities and challenges within the DFO–CCG portfolio.
The workshop was delivered across four sessions, each targeting specific procurement themes and featuring expert panelists, federal officials, Indigenous business managers, and entrepreneurs.
Workshop Objectives
The sessions aimed to deepen understanding of:
The current state of DFO–CCG procurement from Indigenous-owned and operated businesses
Current and future Indigenous procurement opportunities
Indigenous capacity, expertise, and gaps in navigating procurement processes
Administrative and policy constraints, as well as opportunities informed by lessons learned and best-case examples
A final report summarizing findings and recommendations is available.
Final Report
Indigenous Procurement Policy Dialogue – Final Report
Workshop Sessions & Materials
December 2
Current and Future Opportunities
Focus: Understanding procurement trends and upcoming opportunities.
Materials:
Agenda
Presentation: Current State and Future Opportunities (Institute)
Presentation: CCAB Efforts to Increase Federal Procurement from Indigenous Businesses
Graphic Recording
December 7
Indigenous Capacity, Expertise and Gaps
Focus: Identifying strengths, barriers, and knowledge gaps within Indigenous procurement participation.
Materials:
Agenda
Presentation: National Indigenous Economic Development Board – Sub-committee on Procurement
Presentation: A-Tlegay Fisheries Society (AAROM Department)
Presentation: Path to Procurement Discussion & Session Recap (Institute)
Graphic Recording
December 9
Administrative and Policy Constraints and Opportunities
Focus: Addressing regulatory challenges and identifying policy-based opportunities.
Materials:
Agenda
Federal Indigenous Procurement: Presentation to Business (PSPC/ISC)
Mythbusting Government Procurement (Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, PSPC)
DFO–CCG Procurement Overview
Administrative and Policy Constraints & Proposed Pilot Opportunities (Institute)
Graphic Recordings
Learning from Indigenous Suppliers (Institute)
Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (Indigenous Services Canada)
Opportunities and Challenges (Institute)
December 14
Capacity Path to Procurement
Focus: Building long-term capacity and advancing procurement pilots.
Materials:
Agenda
Presentation: Indigenous Procurement Pathway (NACCA)
Project Recap & Alignment with Training and Skills Development Initiatives (Institute)
Graphic Recording
Interactive Exercises:
Whiteboarding: Path to Procurement
Whiteboarding: Advancing Pilots and Opportunities
Project Outcomes
Through the IPOD initiative, the Institute and its partners:
Identified systemic procurement barriers
Clarified federal procurement processes
Mapped capacity gaps and training needs
Explored pilot opportunities to increase Indigenous participation
Strengthened dialogue between Indigenous businesses and federal departments
The initiative supports long-term strategies to increase Indigenous economic participation and strengthen procurement pathways within federal fisheries and coast guard portfolios.
