Journal of Innovations

Vol. 3, Issue 6

Financing Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Yukon: Challenges and Opportunities

AUTHOR(S)

Ginny Coyne

 ABSTRACT

This paper examines the evolving landscape of financing resources available to Canadian Indigenous entrepreneurs, with a particular emphasis on Yukon First Nations engaged in developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on a historical overview, the study highlights the economic transformations that followed colonial contact, which disrupted traditional subsistence and redistributive economies and contributed to longstanding structural barriers in accessing capital. These barriers include limited collateral, restricted access to mainstream financial networks, and systemic inequities in lending practices. At the same time, Indigenous entrepreneurial activities in the Yukon are shaped by distinctive value orientations that prioritize community well-being, cultural continuity, and sustainability alongside economic growth. The analysis further explores how a range of financing mechanisms has emerged to respond to these unique needs. These include partnerships between First Nations governments and financial institutions, Indigenous-controlled development corporations, community-based lending programs, and the increasing presence of supportive institutions such as the First Nations Bank of Canada and the Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce. By mapping the interplay between mainstream and Indigenous financial resources, the paper outlines both the progress made in creating culturally relevant financing pathways and the challenges that persist in achieving equitable access to entrepreneurial capital. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of innovative financing models that respect Indigenous values, strengthen economic sovereignty, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Yukon First Nations communities.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62470/2f258689 

CITE THIS ARTICLE 

Coyne, G. (2025). Financing Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Yukon: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Innovations, 3(6), 27-39. https://doi.org/10.62470/2f258689