Walker Home Construction

Whitehorse, Yukon

Leslie Walker – Owner/Operator

Founded in 2009, Walker Home Construction is 100% owned and operated by Leslie Walker, who is the company’s founder and sole shareholder, and a member of the Champagne Aishihik First Nation.

Walker Home Construction is committed to providing excellent quality residential and commercial construction services and products. The company is renown for providing top quality work, dependable services, and exceptional customer service by proactively problem solving and focusing on ways to help the customer and the communities, where jobsites are located. Building capacity and strong relationships is a fundamental part of the company’s culture. This is a key lesson passed down from Elders. When Walker Home Construction enters a community to work on a residential or commercial project, not only do they hire local First Nations carpenters and labourers, but they also contract local First Nations subcontractors, and reach out to the First Nations development corporations, First Nations governments and other localized organizations for ideas on how to ensure that profits remain within the community.

Walker Home Construction has built a reputation as top-quality builder in the Yukon and their services are in high demand allowing them to secure and schedule projects one to two years in advance. The company is diversified and takes on both small and large projects, such as multi-residential housing as well as building custom homes and homes to sell on the open market. This diversification of services ensures multiple avenues for revenue generation that are well within the companies core competencies.

When Mr. Walker started the company, he intended to create a workspace that honored the employees while building their capacity and skills. Approximately 65% of the current employees are First Nations citizens ranging from apprentices, lead hands and site supervisors, and the company also contracts many First Nations owned and operated subcontractors.

Sakitawak Development Corporation

Ile-a-la Crosse, Saskatchewan

Tyler Morin – CEO

Incorporated in 1989, Sakitawak Development Corporation (SDC) was founded to establish local community businesses in multiple sectors to provide employment opportunities and economic development for the Métis community. By doing this, it created wealth for local Métis citizens to reduce dependence on outsider economy and government assistance. Some of this wealth over the years has turned into entrepreneurship with many community members starting their own businesses.

Currently SDC is involved in many different sectors with ownership in the following businesses:

1. Northern Sunset Motel, Restaurant & Lounge; (100%)
2. SDC Property Management: (100%) Owns and rents 41 housing units.
3. NorGuard Security Services; (100%)
4. SDC Construction; (100%)
5. Ile-a-la Crosse Fish Company (49%); Partners – Big Island Fisheries Cooperative (51% Local Fishermen)
6. SDC Community Market Garden

Sakitawak’s mission statement; “founded in its cultural spirit, resilience, and strength in Métis community economic development, Sakitawak Development will maintain, develop and expand the economic viability the North West region by promoting strong partnerships with communities and industry.”

In recent years Sakitawak has focussed on efficiency to improve operations and be better prepared to withstand economic downturns and other critical events (pandemic). This emphasis included more in-house reviews and preparation, training from within for managerial positions, and creating unique positions that are applicable across various business operations. These cost-cutting and efficiency measures have allowed Sakitawak to remain competitive in the marketplace for all businesses under the Sakitawak umbrella. Sakitawak creates employment and training opportunities within Ile-a-la Crosse community through its many business operations. This employment ranges from 50-200+ individuals each year. They have a strong focus on job promotion from within, encourage skills development, 95% of their employees are Indigenous.

Sakitawak is an integral part of the community from its membership on the Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) by meeting local community emergencies from food insecurity to providing quarantine space during the pandemic. It has active partnerships with local community organizations such as; Sakitawak Elders Group, Ile-a-la Crosse School Division, Sakitawak Conservation Project, the Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation Northern Region 3, and a la Baie Métis Local #21. Sakitawak also provides an annual scholarship fund to post-secondary students, a bursary for graduating high school students, purchased a fire truck for the community of Ile-a-la Crosse, provided funding for a preschool van, sports and recreation activities, education initiatives, funerals, and extraordinary family crisis.

Les Pneus GLC

Wendake, Quebec

Charles Gros-Louis – Owner/Operator

Charles Gros-Louis founded Les Pneus GLC Inc. in 2012 and is a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation. The company is located in the Wendake Industrial Park. Les Pneus GLC product lines include; quality used tires, new discount tires, high-performance brand tires and tire changing services at very competitive prices. Les Pneus GLC Inc. has one of the largest inventories of used tires in Québec and with its dynamic website offers real-time inventory for purchase throughout Quebec. In 2016, Les Pneus acquired a building, expanded his current facility and operations in 2019, and in 2022 plans to start a used spare parts sales and service division. Sales revenue have grown from1.1M$ in 2017 to $1.9M in 2021, an increase of 42% in 4 years. Mr. Gros-Louis is known for being a hard worker who constantly works to improve and grow his company. Mr. Gros-Louis is a young entrepreneur that has good relations with staff, most of whom are Indigenous, and actively encourages and prioritizes the hiring Indigenous people. Pneus GLC Inc. also offers flexible hours to all staff in consideration of family life, which allows them to honour obligations outside of work, including participation in the traditional hunt each October, even if it is a busy time of the year.

Miyosiwin Salon Spa

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Jennifer Dubois, Owner/Operator

Jennifer Dubois established Miyosiwin Salon Spa in 2017 and focuses on First Nation’s culture to enhance spa and hair services for its customers. Miyosiwin is the Cree word for beauty and its core values are reflected in the Cree word “Kiyokewin”, by investing in our customers, establish customer relationships that extend to more than just our services; we value their time, and work on developing trusting relationships. Miyosiswin strives for optimal customer service satisfaction and is reflected in the high number of repeat customers and 4.7 star Google review, with retail sales growing every year. Miyosiwin employs Indigenous stylists and estheticians, and is aware of the struggles and barriers employees encounter and has an open-door policy that provides flexibility, when needed. Resulting in a low staff turnover and 5-staff have been with the company, since 2017. The Miyosiwin team is very eager to attend and support community events such as; cutting hair for those in need, hosting salon father/daughter nights that foster bonding between them, participating in Pow Wows and community wellness days. Jennifer is on the economic development board for the George Gordon First Nation, volunteered with Dress For Success, mentored and spoke to high school students, and is currently creating a non-profit to help young artisans create and sell their products, called “Journey Together”.

Bearpaw Gifts and Bearpaw Cleaning Services

Whitehorse, Yukon

Cathy Isaac – Owner/Operator

Cathy Isaac is the owner and founder of Bearpaw Gifts and Bearpaw Cleaning Services that works with local artists and suppliers to ensure the highest of quality products and seamless service delivery for customers. Cathy is well-known in the community as someone who works hard to continue educating and promoting her Indigenous culture. She does this by selling authentic pieces of art, trinkets and other items that are locally made and sustainably resourced. By supporting and carrying Indigenous goods, she fully supports the local Indigenous economy not only financially and by exposing their work. Since expanding her business to incorporate cleaning services, she has gained a reputation as a successful businesswoman who is able to manage and operate two thriving businesses. Cathy chose däna Näye Ventures as her Indigenous lender because of their support and vision for women-led Indigenous businesses. däna Näye provided her with the financing and support to grow at a steady rate while ensuring the viability of the operations and ability to expand by starting Bearpaw Cleaning Services, where she saw a gap and put into motion the steps necessary to fill that gap. Cathy supports the community by reinvesting her wealth, by supporting and hiring locally that contributes to positive financial impacts that enhance the greater community. She works to build the people up around her and in doing so, elevates other local businesses, artists and the community.

SaskMétis Development Corporation (SMEDCO)

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Tristan Zachow – CEO

Established in 1987, SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) is the Economic Development hub for the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) dedicated to supporting Métis business-owners in the province of Saskatchewan. SMEDCO offers a complete suite of financial products and business support services for Métis-controlled small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) that helps build up the Saskatchewan Métis business community, create jobs for indigenous and non-indigenous people, and wealth for Métis families. To date SMEDCO has worked with over 1600 businesses across the province.

Since March 2020 when COVID was deemed a pandemic, SMEDCO went into action to explore ways we could assist our clients to persevere and recover. The challenge was – the unknown! All levels of government were struggling, businesses and people were in a panic and in disbelief that this was happening. The SMEDCO Board showed unprecedented leadership through the pandemic by supporting the CEO and staff to deliver COVID programs; often putting our clients before ourselves. SMEDCO staff worked tirelessly through the pandemic going above and beyond the regular working hours and job responsibilities week after week, month after month.

To support Metis businesses through the pandemic, SMEDCO implemented a six month cease payment option to lessen the financial burden and continued this for an additional six months during the 4th wave and Omicron variant. This was unmatched across the country. SMEDCO wanted to ensure the clients, their families, and their communities were provided every opportunity to be resilient.

SMEDCO successfully negotiated a funding agreement to administer and disbursed over $15 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief funding, under three programs;

• COVID Microbusiness Program was made available to 165 businesses that were not able to access programs that the federal government put into place. These businesses are the small/micro businesses such as Fishers, Artisans, Rice Harvesters, trappers, and other self-employed individuals that operated on a part-time basis (child-care providers, estheticians, hairstylists, massage therapists, etc.)
• COVID Community Business Program was made available to 50 community owned businesses that are owned by Métis Communities across the province.
• The Métis Emergency Capital Assistance Program (MECAP) assisted 457 small and medium sized Métis enterprises in Saskatchewan that were able to access a grant of up to $20,000, as well as a loan of up to $40,000.

SMEDCO’S approach is grounded in our understanding that, historically, Métis entrepreneurs have lower access to financing due to a lack of intergenerational wealth and little flexibility within traditional banking systems. SMEDCO understand the hurdles they encounter and works with Métis business to alleviate obstacles and create tailored solutions for each unique Métis entrepreneur. Métis business ownership in Saskatchewan is growing everyday and the supports SMEDCO offered during the COVID-19 world pandemic have been phenomenal. Our clients know, we are here for them!

Société de Crédit Commercial Autochtone (SOCCA)

Institutions Financières Autochtone/Aboriginal Financial Institutions

Prix de l’innovation/Innovation Award

SOCCA was instrumental in the creation and development of the Aboriginal Savings Corporation of Canada (ABSCAN) in 2005, by offering a non-taxable savings and social investment vehicle that offers a variety of housing financing solutions that reduces the pressure on First Nations to assume full responsibility for residential housing in their communities. ABSCAN is the first, and remains the only Aboriginal social finance funding platform in Canada that is composed entirely of individual savings.

ABSCAN provides unique financing solutions to address housing shortages and over-crowding that is tailored to needs and financial reality of First Nation individuals and communities. ABSCAN has noted a considerable improvement in the individual and collective quality of life in First Nation communities, where program access has led to an expanded housing stock. ABSCAN allows individuals to create an active financial asset that leads to the creation of wealth in the First Nation communities.

Since 2005, 31 bond issues made for a total $51.4 M, underwritten by 167 investors. These funds were reinvested in 237 housing and infrastructure loans:

• To members of the First Nations to access the property (construction, acquisition, renovation)
• To First Nations Councils for high-density community housing and developments for customers with special needs (residential housing for the elderly, workers housing, etc.).

The ABSCAN housing loan program has led the construction new homes for the first time in over ten years in communities, where a significant housing crisis is occurring; launched the privatization of community housing stock and private home ownership in several First Nation communities; and is exploring how to expand the inventory of rental housing in First Nation communities.

ABSCAN is now looking to replicate a similar housing finance model utilizing the network for Aboriginal Financial Institutions that has already resulted in the creation of active housing loan programs at däna Näye Ventures in Yukon, All Nations Trust in British Columbia and several other Aboriginal Financial Institutions have also shown interest.

ABSCAN is dedicated to contributing to the well-being and autonomy of our First Nation clients, while continuing to develop innovative financing instruments. We believe in innovation, efficiency, leadership, ethical relationships, social impact, and being of service to First Nations communities and people.