After receiving approval in January 2025, Carey Perkins, a Kanienʼkehá:ka from Akwesasne and the owner of Niio Perkins Designs, anticipated a $25,000 grant to cover various business expenses. However, more than a year later, she is still waiting for the funds.
Perkins is part of a group of small business owners who have been left in limbo by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) regarding expected funding.
Expressing her frustration, Perkins mentioned the challenges she faced due to the delay, leading to her eventually vacating her studio space in August 2025.
ITAC, as outlined in its 2023-24 annual report, focuses on enhancing authentic Indigenous tourism in Canada through various means, including financial support.
Earlier in 2025, approximately $3.3 million in federal funding was designated for 136 Indigenous tourism businesses under the Micro and Small Business Stream (MSBS) by ITAC.
Responding to concerns raised, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada stated its commitment to investigating the delays in fund distribution to ensure rightful recipients are reimbursed.
Keith Henry, the President and CEO of ITAC, acknowledged that some businesses are still awaiting payments from the MSBS program, with efforts being made to resolve the outstanding issues.
Despite challenges, ITAC has successfully approved and funded numerous development projects in recent years, striving to maintain financial stability and support for Indigenous businesses.
Spending Funds in Advance
Perkins shared her disappointment in ITAC’s requirement to spend the grant funds before actually receiving them, impacting her plans to expand her business beyond her community.
Similarly, Aïcha Smith-Belghaba, a Kanienʼkehá:ka and Algerian entrepreneur from Six Nations of the Grand River, faced delays in receiving a $25,000 MSBS grant approved in January 2025 for her business, Esha’s Eats.
Smith-Belghaba expressed how the funding shortfall affected her business operations and forced her to scale back, compromising her growth plans and financial stability.
Challenges Post-Tourism Conference
Following an Indigenous tourism conference hosted by ITAC in Edmonton, concerns arose over delayed payments to businesses providing services at the event.
Nathan Rainy Chief, representing 49 Dzine, highlighted the issue of delayed payments affecting not only businesses but also elders and knowledge keepers, emphasizing the importance of honoring Indigenous protocols.
Despite facing financial constraints, ITAC remains committed to promoting Indigenous tourism in Canada, awaiting anticipated funding from a U.K.-based charity to sustain its operations.