Despite a snowstorm, the Local Business Conference in Waskaganish gathered community members, entrepreneurs and speakers at the Kania Kashee Lodge on February 17 and 18 to support local businesses and economic growth in Eeyou Istchee.
Organized by Melvin Wesley, the community’s economic development officer, the event featured special guest Kendal Netmaker along with other invited guests in various workshops and presentations. All business enthusiasts were welcome to attend, encouraged by different participation and grant prizes.
Founder of lifestyle apparel brand Neechie Gear, Netmaker is a popular motivational speaker who shared his story of how a childhood friend’s generosity transformed his life on Sweetgrass First Nation, Saskatchewan. His company remains committed to helping underprivileged kids play sports, recognizing its power to develop future leaders.
The conference’s first day included a brief presentation from the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance (SCNATEA) to introduce the Niimuudaan mentorship program. Offered in partnership with Réseau Mentorat, the culturally tailored initiative is open to all Cree entrepreneurs, who are supported by experienced mentors to develop their business skills and positive outlook.
Among the three women mentors is Co-Head Mentor Charlotte Ottereyes Ratt, president of the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association (CWEIA). In collaboration with the CWEIA, there’s also a dedicated women’s mentorship stream. Former Air Creebec president Matthew Happyjack is the male Co-Head Mentor and Shaun Andrew Coonishish was recently added.
“The mentorship is about fostering courage,” explained Geneviève Binette, SCNATEA projects and communication coordinator. “Mentors are not there to give advice; they’re really there to make entrepreneurs see what solutions they can apply to be successful.”
Binette believes many women in Eeyou Istchee already possess an “entrepreneurial fibre” and are eager to access tools that can help them launch or expand their businesses. She stressed the importance of hosting such events in-person in the communities and supporting local businesses like Jacob’s Restaurant, Eeyou Istchee Lifestyle and Smokey Hill Grocery Store.
“We visited the different restaurants and shops they have in Waskaganish,” she said. “It is important to travel to the community and buy in the stores and local businesses.”
The conference also included a workshop on financial management, led by Lacey Biederman from the Department of Commerce & Industry. Gilles Matoush shared his journey launching Miiskwaapin Consulting a year ago, which specializes in helping business startups develop growth plans and find funding to cover startup costs.
“Starting the business was one of the best things I did for myself,” Matoush recently shared. “I have much more freedom to pursue other passions like aviation. I don’t always feel tired or constantly stressed. I’m very happy to say that I exceeded my projections and achieved all the goals I set for the business.”
Another initiative highlighted at the conference was the ID1N (First Nations Identification) trademark, dedicated to combating cultural appropriation and protecting Indigenous knowledge.
Through a bear logo created by Anishinabe artist Frank Polson, Indigenous creators can assert their identities with pride and consumers can support authentic artists and entrepreneurs in a spirit of reconciliation.
Dave Sergerie, a projects coordinator at the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission, said this initiative developed in 2021 authenticates First Nations businesses in response to concerns over uncredited online use of traditional attributes.
“We’re getting close to 600 businesses and entrepreneurs who have registered with us,” Sergerie said. “When they register, they can start using the logo, which they put on their products to authenticate their origin. This is a way for our entrepreneurs to position themselves and fight cultural appropriation.”
Sergerie encouraged entrepreneurs to register with ID1N to protect their presence in the marketplace. He also underlined the broader importance of promoting Indigenous businesses.
“We all want to improve the socioeconomic conditions in our First Nation communities,” he said. “And one of the best ways to do that is to have people who have projects and who can accomplish their goals and create businesses.”