On June 11 and 12, more than sixty (60) First Nations women entrepreneurs gathered at the Hilton Québec for the Nikanewin event, which was organized by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC). This two-day event was filled with pride, sisterhood, and recognition, while Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship was celebrated in all its diversity and power.
The Nikanewin Gala, which was held on the evening of June 11, also marked the fifth anniversary of the Nikanewin Bursaries, as well as the launch of the FNQLEDC’s new mentoring service in partnership with Réseau Mentorat. It was a powerful moment for those who are helping to build a strong, engaged, and inclusive Indigenous economic future.
17 women honoured
This edition featured a total of 17 awards, including ten $2,500 bursaries supported by Hydro-Québec, and seven recognition awards highlighting the remarkable achievements of women in business. Each winner embodies, in her own way, the vision, resilience, and commitment that characterize today’s Indigenous women entrepreneurs.
With the presentations by Frédérique and Geneviève Gros-Louis, the launch of Atikuss magazine, and the announcement of a new mentoring service in collaboration with the Réseau Mentorat, emotions were high.
Nikanewin 2025 Bursary winners
Here’s an overview of the projects led by inspiring women who were selected for the potential of their business ideas:
🎉 Alexandra Kanapé (Pessamit) – Community café
Alexandra’s café project, which was set up in an existing space, aims to create a welcoming and inclusive place for Pessamit workers and residents where culture, meeting and sharing are on the menu.
🎉 Audreane Robertson (Mashteuiatsh) – Accounting
Audreane aims to make her accounting expertise available to entrepreneurs and SMEs in her region by offering them accounting and administrative services: bookkeeping, payroll, tax returns, etc., while promoting financial independence in her community.
🎉 Cynthia Sioui (Wendake) – Bakery café
Seten Café will combine Indigenous traditions and Quebec know-how. On the menu: coffee, pastries, healthy dishes and a friendly atmosphere located in the heart of Wendake.
🎉 Ivy Rose Akiwenzie (Kitigan Zibi) – Beekeeping and community safety
With Mahinganon, Ivy Rose is developing a social and agricultural enterprise focused on food security: support for seniors, security, local food, and education about medicinal plants, all free of charge. Revenue generated from the sale of honey will support community services.
🎉 Taï-Sha Champagne-Cleary (Mashteuiatsh) – Legal services
Taï-Sha, who is a lawyer specializing in family law, wishes to open a practice serving the citizens of the Iberville district. She will offer compassionate legal support that is sensitive to Indigenous realities.
🎉 Marie Bellefleur Gros-Louis (Wendake) – Arts and crafts
With Flower & Crow, Marie offers custom-made ribbon skirts, beaded jewelry, painted illustrations, and much more. Her business reflects her dual Innu-Wendat identity and promotes contemporary Indigenous crafts using local materials.
🎉 Marie-Claude Riverin (Pessamit) – Accommodations
Marie-Claude is developing a healing space for women, nestled between the sea and the boreal forest. A place for retreats, yoga, hiking, and reconnection, her project focuses on wellness, spirituality, and Indigenous culture.
🎉 Mélina Roy-Grenon (Mashteuiatsh) – Ecotourism
Malherbe will offer ecotourism accommodations atop a mountain overlooking Lac des Commissaires. This sustainable project is rooted in the values and practices of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh.
🎉 Kathy Moreau-Lacasse (Pessamit) – Florist and crafts
Kathy’s boutique, Fleurs et Perle, combines floral arrangements, beadwork, sewing, and creative workshops. She focuses on artisanal, sustainable products rooted in Indigenous identity.
🎉 Paula Bauersfeld (Kahnawake) – Food
With Kakhwákon, Paula has transformed her passion for traditional baking into a home-based micro-bakery. She offers Mohawk tourtières, apple pies, and sourdough breads. Her goal: to offer artisanal products that are rooted in Kanien’kehá:ka culture and to share them with her community and beyond.
Meaningful recognition awards
In addition to the Bursaries, seven women received recognition awards highlighting valuable qualities and remarkable achievements:
⭐ Social impact: Angélique Malec – Centre d’hébergement pour Autochtones de Québec (CHAQ)
Her centre welcomes Indigenous people who are undergoing treatment in Quebec City, while offering them holistic and cultural support.
⭐ Perseverance: Lucie Robertson – Chez Lucie
After three years of administrative and financial challenges, Lucie completed the expansion of her canine shop, Chez Lucie—a true testament of patience and resilience.
⭐ Emerging talent: Marilou Bastien – Yäna Tattoo Lounge
A Wendat tattoo artist, Marilou blends contemporary culture and Indigenous identity into a distinctive and committed style, rooted in the pride of being Wendat today.
⭐ Leadership: Mathilda Fontaine – Créations Puamun
Inspiring and motivating, Mathilda trains other tailors by traveling to communities while developing her cultural clothing business, which reflects her vision as an ambassador of Innu culture. She embodies inspiring leadership rooted in action.
⭐ Cultural influence: Nancy Picard – Nondiahk
Nancy, who is the founder of Nondiahk and creator of the First Nations area at the Salon des artisans de Québec, promotes Indigenous cultures through her events and the promotion of Indigenous arts and crafts.
⭐ Innovation: Tammy Beauvais – Tammy Beauvais Designs and MatriTrust
A pioneer in Indigenous design, Tammy innovates with MatriTrust, an organization dedicated to financial education for Indigenous women and LGBTQ+ people.
⭐ Excellence in entrepreneurship support: Michelle Picard – SOCCA
A Strategic Advisor at SOCCA, Michelle is an essential ally for Indigenous women entrepreneurs who is recognized for her rigour, attentiveness… and her dual life as the owner of L’Usine à Frites! Her entrepreneurial experience has been an invaluable asset, supporting Indigenous women for over 15 years now with professionalism, rigour, and heart.
A celebration, but above all, a boost
Nikanewin 2025 was much more than a gala: it was a collective celebration of the driving forces that shape the Indigenous female economy every day. These women entrepreneurs are building meaningful projects rooted in their territories, cultures, and values.
The FNQLEDC is proud to support these women entrepreneurs and to create spaces where they can gather, train, be heard, and shine. To discover the full profiles of the winners, stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts!
About the Nikanewin Bursaries
Created in 2020, these bursaries aim to stimulate entrepreneurship among First Nations women and young entrepreneurs with a start-up business project with a view to encouraging and helping them move from idea to action. Learn more by clicking here!
