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Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and the growth of the Indigenous economy on Vancouver Island.

We help Indigenous communities become healthy, wealthy and socio-economically independent

In addition to financing and loan programs, NEDC offers business advisory services free of charge to Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nations community-owned businesses on Vancouver Island. With almost 40 years of planting seeds in communities and over $160 million in loans approved, we are catalyzing socio-economic independence for our nations.

Since 1984 we’ve grown slowly and intentionally, guided by strong governance and a consistent focus on our mandate.

Learn more about NEDC

Celebrating our clients’ successes

Gulf Island Seaplanes – Alison and Sean Evans

Tourism | Gabriola, British Columbia

Sean spent many years as a pilot on the West Coast as a pilot for Tofino Air. They started their business in 2014 after buying Tofino Air’s …

Read their Story

SignAge Canada – Roger McKinnon

Professional Services, Retail

Roger says he got his business sense from his father and 3 uncles who owned McKinnon’s Dairy in Port Alberni. Roger went to Malaspina College and the brand …

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BC Cannabis Inc – Dr. Michelle Corfield

Health & Wellness, Indigenous Woman Entrepreneur, Retail | Nanaimo, British Columbia

They are ‘growers.’ Michelle has been on this journey since about 2019. And then the pandemic hit! And that sunk everything for a couple of years which …

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Find out how our financing programs can help you

NEDC offers many different loan and contribution programs with varying eligibility. Your Business Development Officer is here to help create the perfect package for you.

Explore Our Programs