Anishnawbe Business Professional Association to Announce Procurement Navigator Initiative at 2025 AGM
Press Release
October 22, 2025 – Robinson-Superior Treaty, Fort William First Nation Territory, Thunder Bay, Ontario: the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA) invites media to its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). In addition to regular business, the ABPA will officially discuss the development of the Project Anishnawbe Kendaaswin (Knowledge), a strategic initiative designed to connect Anishnawbe-owned businesses in Northern Ontario with federal procurement opportunities.
The project is a direct, Indigenous-led solution to address the persistent implementation gap in the Government of Canada’s 5% Indigenous procurement mandate.
WHAT: Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA) 2025 Annual General Meeting and major project announcement.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT
WHERE: 2080 Highway 61, Nor wester Best Western Conference Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario
WHO:
- Jason Rasevych, ABPA President
- ABPA Board of Directors
- Anishnawbe business owners and ABPA members
KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
- The AGM will include standard association business, such as the presentation of financial statements and board ratifications.
The central event will be the formal announcement of Project Anishnawbe Kendaaswin, with key details including the Initiative: A strategic project to build the capacity of Anishnawbe-owned businesses to secure federal contracts.
The Goal: To systematically dismantle barriers—such as complex administrative processes and network gaps—that prevent Northern Ontario Anishnawbe businesses from accessing the multi-billion-dollar federal procurement market.
The Model: The project is built on three pillars:
- A Navigator Service for one-on-one bid guidance.
- Capacity Building through workshops on bid-writing and financial literacy.
- Ecosystem Linkages to connect Anishnawbe suppliers with federal buyers.
Media Availability: ABPA President Jason Rasevych and members of the Board of Directors will be available for interviews immediately following the meeting
Media Availability: ABPA President Jason Rasevych and members of the Board of Directors will be available for interviews immediately following the meeting.
About the ABPA:
The Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (www.anishnawbebusiness.com) is a non-profit, member-based organization based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. ABPA serves the First Nation business community within Treaty #3, Treaty#5, Treaty #9 and Robinson Huron and Superior Treaty Areas. The ABPA develops and expresses positions on business issues and other public issues relevant to First Nation business, on behalf of its members.
The time for studies, consultations, and empty promises is over. In light of this damning audit and the existence of a clear, actionable plan, the ABPA demands that Minister of Indigenous Mandy Gull-Masty, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement Joël Lightbound immediately fund the plan, transfer the IBD, and let First Nations fix the system your government has broken.
ILR5
