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The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) is proud to continue stimulating entrepreneurship among First Nations members. To this end, the FNQLEDC is launching a third edition of the Nikanewin bursaries, which will be awarded to people with a business project to encourage them and help them move beyond the ideas to actions.

During my visit to Mistissini last November, I met a dozen entrepreneurs who shared their experiences, their contributions to the community, how they started their entrepreneurial journeys and where the idea of being their own boss came from. The following is a summary of my encounters.

Myriam Vallière, Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor, accompanied by Aroussen Gros-Louis, Communications and Public Relations Officer from the FNQLEDC, visited the community of Mistissini on November 22nd and 23rd. The mission of this trip was to provide business plan training to students from the Sabtuan Adult Education Services and to meet with Cree entrepreneurs.

From November 14 to 16, 2022, it was the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region’s turn to hold a Regional Economic Circle.

On November 8th and 9th, approximately 100 people gathered in Montreal to take part in the second edition of the Social Economy Gathering of Indigenous Peoples (SEGIP).

The Annual General Assembly of the FNQLEDC was held face-to-face on September 20th at the Manoir du Lac Delage on the outskirts of Quebec City. FNQLEDC employees had the opportunity to inform participants about the activities that were carried out over the course of the year and present the 2021-2022 annual report. Also, senior management presented the new organizational structure of the FNQLEDC as well as the new strategic directions for 2022-2023.

Maryline Launière, an Innu from Mashteuiatsh, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Inspired by her parents who were themselves once entrepreneurs, she started her own company called API biscuits. “Api” means “sit down” in her Innu native language. She wanted her origins to be transposed into her business. The following is a portrait of this entrepreneur.

This is how the new business in the community of Wendake draws our attention to its new multifunctional training centre.

Interview with Stéfanie O’Bomsawin, Organization and Pedagogical Development Coordinator and Registrar at Kiuna College The Kiuna Institution is located in the Indigenous community of Odanak. Although all its programs are designed by and for First Nations, they are also open to non-Indigenous people!

MusiqueNature is a non-profit organization (NPO) that develops, promotes and enhances events that combine nature and musical performances. The following is a portrait of this artistic company that also happens to be one of the recipients of the second edition of the Nikanewin Bursaries, which are awarded by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC).

One of the first omnichannel technology firms in Canada. Specialized in the integration of marketing technologies, multi-platform digital campaigns, website creation and more!

Our Social Economy Officer, Ms. Annick Tremblay, traveled to Scotland last April for the Social Enterprise Ecosystem & Community Asset Ownership event. She joined a delegation as a representative of the First Nations Pole for the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC).

Demand the REAL fresh, low carb and high protein pasta with ZERO guilt!“After searching in vain for a satisfactory alternative to pasta, my wife and I decided to create it ourselves”, said Mr. Panadis. La Sublime pasta is delicious, tender, quick to cook and perfectly compatible with a healthy, low carbohydrate diet. Each serving offers over 28 grams of protein and only 3.2 grams of NET carbs!

The Innu community of Mashteuiatsh hosted a First Nations Regional Economic Circle on June 15 and 16, 2022. This was the very first event stemming from the Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous People and Quebec, which was held last November in Montreal.

Under the theme of social innovation for regional development, a two-day meeting was held on May 25 and 26 at the Monastère des Augustines in Quebec City. This meeting was also presented in virtual mode.

Shania Gass is a 25-year-old Wendat entrepreneur who is the mother of two children and married to a man from the community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. This wonderful Indigenous family has lived in the Sept-Îles region in the community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam for just over four years.

Spring allows companies looking to advance their entrepreneurial ideas to bloom! Here is an entrepreneur of Atikamekw descent who has developed an innovative business in the sports and outdoor activities sector.

Megane Veillette, a 20-year-old Abenaki young woman with her secondary 4 in her pocket, started baking pastries in her home in Wôlinak in the fall of 2021. She is the only one operating in this niche market in her community. Demand is high and her business is becoming increasingly popular.

Niaka Agence créative autochtone (Niaka Indigenous graphic design agency) opened its doors on February 2, 2022. This company was born from the shared passion for graphic design of two young women entrepreneurs who decided to go for it and believe in their entrepreneurial project!

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) is proud to support the Nikanewin Bursaries initiative. This bursary is offered specifically to members of the First Nations in Quebec who have a business project in mind and are looking to take action.

Here is an entrepreneurial story that leads us to believe that when we have creativity and ambition, the path of destiny is paved with possibilities and opportunities that can help us bring our projects to life.

An enterprising Mohawk couple from Kahnawake have the wind in their sails because they dared to go into business by sharing their passion for cooking.

This article presents the RJCCQ's Entreprendre Ensemble project, which aims to offer personalized support to young self-employed workers and Indigenous entrepreneurs.

In 2022, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) is proud to continue stimulating entrepreneurship among First Nations members. To this end, the FNQLEDC is launching a new edition of the Nikanewin bursaries, which will be awarded to people with a business project to encourage them and help them move beyond the ideas to actions.

Canadians living in regions affected by a lockdown or capacity restrictions can now access the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB). This assistance program was presented in October 2021 and entered into force on December 17, 2021.

Born in the city of Sept-Îles and originally from Nitassinan (Innu territory), Josée Leblanc is the Executive Director for Atikuss Canada. This entrepreneur created the Bottes de l’Espoir (Boots of Hope) and promotes her culture throughout the world by sharing the talents of Indigenous women through ancestral art.

The Indigenous Tourism Quebec Recognition Gala allowed, on the one hand, to award eight awards to players in the Indigenous tourism industry and, on the other, to mark the 30th anniversary of Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ).

The Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous Peoples and Quebec, which took place on November 25 and 26, 2021 in Montreal, was a great success. Here is a summary of the highlights of the event.

Social Economy Month 2021 ended on a high note for the First Nations Social Economy Regional Table (FNSERT) with the Rendezvous of Culture with the Social Economy, which was held on November 30, 2021 in a hybrid format.

The First Nations of Québec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) is proud to announce the launch of its Indigenous business directory, entirely revised, with a new and simplified interface.

The program for the Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous People and Quebec, which will be held at the Centre Sheraton Montreal on November 25 and 26, 2021, is now unveiled.

November is Social Economy Month across Quebec. This is a special time during the year to learn more about this business model and to highlight social economy initiatives in our regions.

As part of the Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous People and Quebec, which will take place on November 25 and 26, 2021, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, the Government of Quebec and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) are launching a call for commitment.

The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the Government of Quebec are proud to present the Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous People and Quebec, an event that will take place on November 25 and 26, 2021, in person at the Centre Sheraton Montreal as well as online.

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) held its Annual General Assembly on September 29, 2021 and proceeded to the election of the members of its Board of Directors.

To be a First Nations education consultant was a dream that Nathalie Chantal, a 53-year-old Wendat woman, had cherished for some time. She had always told herself that she wanted to end her career as a consultant.

On September 28, 2021, the FNQLEDC launched a community of practice entirely dedicated to Quebec First Nations Community Economic Development Officers (CEDOs). The purpose of this online community of practice is to promote the sharing of information and to create opportunities for meetings.

At 59 years of age, Mathilda Fontaine, a young retiree, has the wind in her sails with her creation, design and fashion business which is gaining in notoriety and popularity. Création Puamun refers to the name of her little girl and means Dream, because for Mathilda, her business involves making one of her dreams come true!

The Abenaki Aventure tourist project began with the opening of the campsite on the Odanak Abenaki community last July 29. This brilliant idea came from Martin O’Bomsawin and his two sons who have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

The Quebec Native Friendship Centre (Centre d’amitié autochtone de Québec - CAAQ) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021. Are you familiar with the assistance and integration services that the CAAQ offers to First Nations who arrive in the city for new challenges? Jacinthe Picard, Executive Assistant, offers an overview of the development of their range of new services.

The project of the Atikamekw community of Wemotaci aimed to build an inn featuring 22 rooms on its territory for 2021. With all the changes caused by the pandemic and the sharp increase in the costs of wood materials, they had to rethink the project and develop a plan B for the acquisition of accommodations at a lower cost.

Grandir Ensemble, an economic development project geared towards food self-sufficiency, came to life in Kanesatake last March. The project aims at achieving food self-sufficiency in the community and has a vision of internal and external reconciliation among community members.

In January 2020, Dolorès Bellefleur and Jean-Michel Perron, owners of the Innuberge, in the company of the Director of the Société de développement économique et touristique Mukutan, Lionel Hervieux, as well as the whole community of Unamen Shipu, inaugurated this wonderful tourist accommodation project located on the Innu Unamen Shipu territory.

Last June, approximately 20 economic development community stakeholders participated in a four-hour training opportunity on the specific topic of Economic Development Project Analysis. This training offered by the FNQLEDC was held during two distinct two-hour sessions on the Zoom platform.

Created by four Indigenous women, two Mohawk artists and two Anishinaabe artists, Hannah Claus, Nadia Myre, Caroline Monnet and Skawennati, the Daphne Art Centre is a new self-managed centre for Indigenous artists located in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montreal.

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) is proud to unveil the names of the ten Nikanewin Bursaries 2021 winners, who are sharing a total of $30,000 in bursaries. The main objective of these bursaries was to encourage as many First Nations people with a business plan as possible to move from the idea stage to the action stage.

It is with great pride that the 10 participants of the StartUP Nations Ikwe 2021 successfully completed their training course in social economy, which began on March 8th. Coordinated by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) and by Quebec Native Women (QNW), the 12-week virtual training course ended on May 31, 2021.

On April 8, 2021, a Northern incubator-accelerator was launched in support of the development of tourist projects north of the 49th parallel. Mr. Dave Laveau, Executive Director of Indigenous Tourism Québec, answers our questions about this major project.

As of next June, the marina built by Kebaowek First Nation, an Algonquin community in the south of Temiscamingue, will be open for you to discover, as announced with great pride by local economic development officer, Mr. Justin Roy.

The lack of housing in First Nations communities has been a well-known fact for a long time. However, this issue is not raised as much in urban settings. Yet, the consequences of the lack of housing in various communities are often that many First Nations members end up in the city looking for housing. The lack of affordable housing in many regions, over and above the discrimination First Nations members must often deal with coming from landlords, makes this search exceedingly difficult.