For an entrepreneur, few things make us feel as excited as officially opening our business; this is the big day when the fruits of many efforts finally come to life!
Lily Duchesneau, a Huron-Wendat entrepreneur from Wendake, has reached this exciting milestone.
On Thursday, September 12th, the team of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) was proud to attend the pre-opening of an entrepreneurial project that they have supported since its infancy: La hutte de médecine étoilée!
Undeniable support from the community
During the pre-opening, which brought together about twenty people, Ms. Duchesneau cut the ribbon and then dedicated a word of thanks to the community, financial partners and various organizations that contributed to the development of the project.
The opening for the general public took place on September 16th. Although the event was scheduled to start at 3 p.m., it was heartwarming to see many people show up as early as 10 a.m. in the morning.
After a guided tour of the premises, visitors were able to participate in a free medicine bag creation workshop.
This unique opportunity gave visitors a brief overview of the many services that will be offered by the business. It was even possible to register for the many workshops offered by the establishment, including craft workshops, bag or dream catcher making workshops, yoga classes and much more!
A place imbued with Indigenous essence and rituals
La hutte de médecine étoilée was born from the growing interest and demand among Ms. Duchesneau’s friends and family for Indigenous craft and yoga workshops. This request gave her the idea of creating a place that would be a sanctuary for discovering and immersing yourself in the ancestral traditions of the First Nations through authentic workshops and yoga classes. Whether you are Indigenous or non-Indigenous, La hutte de médecine étoilée invites you to explore a world rich in culture, spirituality and connection with nature.
The project began modestly in the basement of Ms. Duchesneau’s house in Wendake before gaining momentum thanks to her determination and passionate dedication.
In 2023, she decided to apply for the NIKANEWIN Bursaries, which are offered by the FNQLEDC and funded by Hydro-Québec. She was thus able to obtain a $2,500 grant, which helped her to develop her project.
The business continues to grow and evolve in order to better serve the community.
The FNQLEDC team would like to warmly congratulate Ms. Lily Duchesneau on the official launch of this great project, which will certainly contribute to the economic and cultural development of Wendake. Despite some pitfalls, Ms. Duchesneau has shown admirable resilience, a key quality in any good entrepreneur.
If you are also an Indigenous entrepreneur looking for support in developing a business project, then be like Lily and contact the FNQLEDC support service at [email protected] or at (418) 843-1488!
