Ottawa is home to a growing Indigenous tourism sector, and news out of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is hitting close to home for small business owners who were counting on conference and program funding that has yet to arrive.
Carey Perkins is among several small business operators who say they are owed money through ITAC — a national organization that promotes and supports Indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Canada — but have not received it. The group has cited "cash flow" issues as the reason payments have stalled.
What Is ITAC and Why Does It Matter?
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada plays a central role in funding and supporting Indigenous-owned businesses in the travel, hospitality, and cultural experience sectors. Through conferences and program support, the association has been a financial lifeline for many small operators — particularly those whose businesses are built around sharing Indigenous culture and heritage with visitors.
For communities across Ontario and the broader Ottawa region, ITAC-linked programs represent real economic opportunity. Indigenous tourism has been identified as one of the fastest-growing segments of the Canadian tourism industry, and many small business owners have structured their operations around expected funding flows from the association.
Businesses Left in Limbo
The cash flow troubles at ITAC have left vendors, conference participants, and service providers in a difficult spot. Perkins and others say they fulfilled their obligations — showing up, providing services, and investing in their businesses — but have been left waiting for reimbursements or payments that haven't come through.
For small businesses operating on tight margins, delayed payments don't just create stress — they can mean missed payroll, unpaid suppliers, and real questions about whether to continue operating.
The situation has sparked frustration within the Indigenous business community, where trust and reliable partnerships are foundational. When national organizations face internal financial difficulties, it's often the smallest operators — with the least cushion — who absorb the impact first.
A Broader Conversation About Support Structures
This story raises important questions about how national Indigenous-focused funding organizations manage their finances and communicate with the businesses that depend on them. Cash flow challenges in non-profits and associations are not uncommon, but the downstream effects on small business owners deserve scrutiny.
Advocates have long called for greater transparency and accountability in how funding flows from national bodies to the community-level businesses they're meant to support. When that chain breaks down, it undermines confidence and can set back economic reconciliation efforts that have taken years to build.
For Ottawa's Indigenous entrepreneurs and tourism operators, staying informed about ITAC's financial situation — and exploring alternative funding pathways through agencies like the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) or provincial programs — may be an important step while the association works through its issues.
What's Next
It remains unclear when ITAC will resolve its cash flow situation or when outstanding payments will be made. Affected business owners are encouraged to document all outstanding claims and seek legal or financial advice if delays continue.
Source: CBC Ottawa. This article is based on reporting by CBC News.
