Purpose

We are a business community that sets a new standard in ethical, relationship-centric, and effective business development.

Vision

To create equitable prosperity for Indigenous people by being the most culturally competent and dynamic business development network in Canada.

  • ABM offers an opportunity to become a trusted and relied-upon member of a cultured community that exists for Indigenous and non-Indigenous decision-makers to do ethical business.

  • ABMers form friendships and are therefore invested in each other’s well-being.

  • Individuals are upheld and accounted for based on their commitment to mutual success.

  • Indigenous communities invest ABM-generated revenues into self-determination and companies contribute positively to social impact.

  • Powered by a shared sense of urgency, genuine understanding, and the pursuit of equality, ABMers move the dial toward decolonization.

Principles

  • The ABM Community collectively and cohesively:

    • engages in a perpetual process of co-creation that results in evolving long-lasting partnerships, new opportunities, business growth, friendships, and a push toward decolonization.

    • understands that ethical business is an inevitable consequence of inter-community collaboration and has only recently acquired the label ‘business’ to achieve a separation from human community interests; and

    • rejects colonialism and coercion of Indigenous peoples.

  • Each decision-maker who has access to the ABM Community

    • works to create conditions where Indigenous communities and companies can develop uncoerced business opportunities;

    • holds the responsibility to understand colonialism and the world at large consistent with reality, as Indigenous people must do every day to survive;

    • is accountable and committed to truth;

    • accepts that Indigenous leadership deals with more complexity than corporate leadership, that business at ABM is done accordingly, requires time, and has no room for flimsiness;

    • is responsible for earning their place. This requires:

      • being active, visible, and accessible;

      • the interest to engage with all members of the ABM Community to generously explore opportunities for referrals, collaborations, partnerships, integrations, and knowledge exchange;

      • buying as well as selling to contribute to the vitality of the ABM Community;

      • making time for the intentional and multidimensional fostering of meaningful relationships that can translate into business, directly and indirectly; and

      • a continuously demonstrated commitment to the well-being of Indigenous people.

Words collected from ABMers to describe ABM by Ame-Lia Tamburrini, Hum Consulting, at ABM Canada, November 2022. Thank you, Ame-Lia!

ABM is NOT right for you if your primary question is:

“How many Indigenous communities are you going to connect me with?”

Those who want to meet with Indigenous communities only, will not find ABM rewarding. While the business interests of Indigenous communities and development corporations are at the core of ABM, getting an appointment with these decision-makers can take some time and depends entirely on their business priorities.

You will find deep satisfaction in participating if you are interested in:

  • doing business with all members of the ABM Community;

  • our process of co-creation;

  • the success of all who participate;

  • demonstrating your commitment to the well-being of Indigenous people in a network that holds you accountable and gives you standing;

  • friendship; and

  • decolonization.