On May 13 in Montreal, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) brought together more than seventy (70) participants and players from the First Nations and Inuit communities for a day entirely dedicated to the Indigenous social economy.

A space for reflection, sharing, and inspiration opened up within the walls of the Delta Hotel as the opening drum sounded in the main room, setting the tone for a day rich in learning and connection.

A pep talk with a view to rooting the social economy in ancestral values

From the opening conference, participants were invited to reconsider the social economy from a perspective of traditional knowledge and practices.

Guest speaker Karine Awashish built powerful bridges between the principles of sharing, solidarity, and reciprocity—pillars of Indigenous economies—and contemporary models of collective entrepreneurship. She provided a true breath of inspiration that rekindled the collective drive to build differently.

Giving voice to promising initiatives

The morning’s thematic panel highlighted concrete initiatives from various sectors: Mianscum Solidarity Coop (camps focused on cultural transmission and immersion); Minwashin (cultural enterprise and community radio); Air Inuit (aviation); and Wapikoni Mobile/Collectif des arts et des cultures des peuples autochtones (collective of Indigenous arts and cultures).

The discussions reflected the vitality of social economy enterprises in Indigenous communities, but also the systemic challenges they face. Despite the obstacles, one thing emerged clearly: these enterprises play a fundamental role in terms of individual and collective wellness.

Bingo, workshops, and brainstorming

The lunch break was punctuated by a business lottery, a friendly game to encourage networking and discover the richness of the projects in attendance. The afternoon was then divided into two blocks of workshops, each offering two activities with complementary themes:

• Innovation in human resources management and adapted governance in collective enterprises;
• Wealth creation community action and social economy promotion strategies.

Each of these workshops offered a participatory framework, alternating between experience sharing, strategic reflection, and cultural rooting.

Circular conclusion and resonance

As expected, the day ended with a sharing circle, where participants took turns expressing their takeaways from the experience. The following words were frequently mentioned: inspiration, pride, solidarity, and determination.

Closing remarks full of gratitude preceded a simple cultural cocktail reception, where the discussions continued in a spirit of joy and listening. The musical ambiance during the cocktail reception was provided by Kris Kinokewin, an Atikamekw artist.

A social economy in our image

This gathering provided an opportunity to maintain connections, generate ideas, and strengthen a growing network because the social economy, when it is designed based on Indigenous realities, becomes much more than an economic model: it becomes a tool for transmission, emancipation, and collective healing.

Tshinashkumitin, niaut, and thank you to all those who attended the gathering and were involved in this unforgettable day.

👉 Would you like to learn more about the Indigenous social economy or develop a collective project? If so, then please contact our Social Economy Advisor, Valérye Tremblay, for personalized support!