After being approved for a $25,000 grant in January 2025 to support her business, Carey Perkins, a Kanienʼkehá:ka from Akwesasne and owner of Niio Perkins Designs, is still waiting for the funds. She is renowned for her raised beadwork jewelry.
Perkins is one of many small business owners who have not yet received the funding they were expecting from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
Expressing her frustration, Perkins mentioned the challenges she faced due to the delay. “Now it’s just, everything is collapsing,” she said, explaining how she fell behind on studio space insurance payments and eventually had to vacate the space in August 2025.
ITAC, as outlined in its 2023-24 annual report, focuses on supporting and advancing authentic Indigenous tourism in Canada through various initiatives such as development, marketing, leadership, and partnerships.
In early 2025, ITAC, through the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Micro and Small Business Stream (MSBS), distributed approximately $3.3 million in federal funding to 136 Indigenous tourism businesses.
Responding to concerns raised, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada stated they are looking into the matter to ensure that the funds reach the intended recipients and are conducting a review.
Keith Henry, the President and CEO of ITAC, acknowledged that some individuals are still awaiting payments from the MSBS program. He mentioned that most projects approved during 2024-2025 had been paid, with only about 10% of projects remaining outstanding, assuring that all due payments would be made upon receipt of revenues.
Over the years, ITAC approved 322 development projects, including those funded by MSBS, with 300 of them receiving support from ISED. Out of these, 274 project grants have been disbursed, leaving 48 grants pending.
Regarding the issue, Henry emphasized ITAC’s efforts to address financial challenges and ensure timely payments to recipients, striving for financial stability and predictability.
Challenges with Fund Disbursement
Perkins shared her disappointment with the funding process, highlighting the requirement to spend the funds before receiving them. This condition affected her plans to expand her business beyond her community and eventually led her to focus on creating unique art pieces.
Similarly, Aïcha Smith-Belghaba, a Kanienʼkehá:ka and Algerian entrepreneur from Six Nations of the Grand River, faced a similar situation after being approved for a $25,000 MSBS grant in January 2025. Despite assurances from ITAC, she did not receive the funds on time, impacting her business operations and causing financial strain.
Smith-Belghaba expressed her disappointment, stating that the grant, meant to support small Indigenous businesses, had instead posed obstacles to their success. She had to scale back her business significantly due to the delayed funding.
Payment Delays Post-Tourism Conference
Following an Indigenous tourism conference organized by ITAC in Edmonton in February, several Indigenous-owned businesses reported delays in receiving payments for services rendered.
Nathan Rainy Chief, a Blood Tribe member from Treaty 7 in southern Alberta and executive director of 49 Dzine, faced payment delays for cultural tours offered during the conference. Despite submitting invoices and receiving confirmation of sold-out tours, the payments were not made promptly.
Rainy Chief raised concerns about the delayed payments, particularly affecting elders and knowledge keepers who were not compensated as per Indigenous protocols.
Eventually, after advocating on social media and seeking accountability, Rainy Chief’s company received payment, but the lack of direct communication from ITAC was a notable challenge during the process.
Financial Struggles and Expectations
Keith Henry acknowledged the financial constraints faced by ITAC, mentioning challenges with cash flow and reduced federal funding over the years. Despite expecting a significant contribution from a U.K.-based charity, delays in receiving the funds have led to operational cutbacks within ITAC.
Henry emphasized the importance of supporting Indigenous tourism and highlighted the need for increased government backing in this sector to ensure its sustainability and growth.