First Nations Lending Agency Celebrates 20 Years

First Nations Lending Agency Celebrates 20 Years

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:47

The Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation is officially celebrating 20 years of existence today.

The occasion is being marked at a national Aboriginal financial institution conference in Saskatoon.

SIEF was one of the first Aboriginal capital corporations created in Canada to meet the small business lending needs of First Nations.

Since 1986, SIEF has lent more than $40 million to First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs — creating more than 2,000 businesses and generating more than 7,500 jobs in Saskatchewan.

FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird says the foundation is a growing force behind many of the financial solutions of First Nations entrepreneurs, farmers, bands and tribal councils.

SIEF recently moved into a new economic development and business services complex in Saskatoon.