The Cree Nation Business Summit returned bigger and better for its second edition, held in Mistissini August 19-21. Building on last year’s successful youth-focused gathering, the Summit welcomed established business owners in addition to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The three-day youth program, built around the Bear Den Business Case Study Competition, offered participants the chance to compete for $26,000 in prizes while accessing workshops, expert speakers and mentorship opportunities. Youth delegates arriving from each Cree community had free transportation, accommodation and meals.
“The goal was to boost that potential for entrepreneurial spirit and work as a team,” said Samuel Mcleod, who facilitated the competition. “So many people learned something and thought of entrepreneurship as an ideal path for them.”
Mcleod pitched the idea of a case-study competition last year to the Department of Commerce and Industry (DCI), which helped organize the inaugural Summit in Chisasibi. For this year’s competition, the seven randomly assigned groups of four or five had additional support and resources to develop their business plans.
“Last year we had teams falling behind, so we had workshops along the way with the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation about public speaking and marketing your brand,” Mcleod explained. “They also assisted with getting teams thinking about how they wanted to create their video commercials.”
Videographers Jason Swallow and Manuan Lafond worked with teams to create 60- to 90-second commercials of their fictional businesses, which were screened at the final awards gala. Economic development officers from Cree communities helped coach participants.
Team 3 with Bradley Mianscum, Cain Stewart, Clarissa Happyjack, Sara Dash and Savannah Jolly were the grand prize winners of $10,000 for a Waswanipi strip mall called Clearwater Plaza. Leveraging its highly visible location where traffic has to pass, their pitch was “you can’t miss us.”
Second prize went to Eeyou and Me Tourism, “where two worlds become one journey,” a Nemaska-based enterprise aiming to connect tourists with translators and ancient wisdom for an immersion in traditional life. Other ideas included a motor sports dealership, event venue, health spa and funeral home. “Shining stars” from each team were awarded iPads.
“It was amazing ideas coming from young people,” said DCI director Anthony MacLeod. “The concepts are realistic, they could happen. Many of them have great ideas for shaping the Eeyou economy and participating in that journey in their vision of entrepreneurship.”
MacLeod estimated the Summit drew nearly 200 participants. Presenters included Cree entities Apatisiiwin Skills Development, Eeyou Mobility, the Board of Compensation and the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association. Workshop and presentation topics included e-commerce, artificial intelligence and contracts and procurement.
MacLeod helped facilitate two roundtable discussions for entrepreneurs and leaders. A memorable discussion included former Grand Chief Abel Bosum, who was the Cree Nation’s first economic development director, and Robert Kanatewat, a signatory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement 50 years ago.
Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch noted that the first businesses started by these founders of the modern Cree Nation, a gas station and restaurant, are still running today. They told the Hudson’s Bay Company that a local family would be taking over gasoline sales.
The Summit was first major event for newly elected Cree leaders Murdoch and Deputy Grand Chief Linden Spencer. Organizers hope their business backgrounds will usher in an increased regional focus on entrepreneurship. Asserting that small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy, Murdoch was excited by the momentum the conference generated.
“We not only celebrate success but recognize the spirit of innovation and creativity that continues to grow across Eeyou Istchee,” said Spencer. “To our youth delegates, you didn’t just present projects; you showed vision and courage. I see the same determination and hope that has guided me on my own journey.”
In honour of the JBNQA’s 50th anniversary, the DCI paid tribute to the rich history of Eeyou entrepreneurship at the awards gala. Established in 1971, Mistissini’s A.D.E.L.S. Restaurant was the oldest of these foundational enterprises, owned by Annie Brien, Denise Coon-Come, Elizabeth Gunner, Laurie Brien and Sharron Brien.
Charlie Brien, who passed away in 2002, started out selling tea, pop and sandwiches to construction workers in the community. With no roads in those days, restaurant equipment and a pool table had to be paddled in from the beach about 16 kilometres away or brought in by winter road.
Also honoured at the gala were Blackned Construction, established in 1975 and owned by James Blackned, Bert Blackned and Emily Hester; Waswanipi Grocery Store, opened by Sandra Happyjack and Delores Gull in 1978; Meechum Reg’d, owned by Beverly Quinn and established in 1982; and Natives Exploration Services, owned by Sam R. Bosum since 1984.
Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano emphasized that business development must be rooted in building Cree expertise. And he saluted these community pillars as proof of what’s possible “when vision meets hard work and community support.”