From August 18 to 22, 2025, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) team hit the road for Oujé-Bougoumou, Mistissini, and Waswanipi. The goal: to meet with entrepreneurs, present our services, and promote First Nations Identification (ID1N).
This was an intense week full of inspiring discussions and discoveries.
Monday, August 18 – First Steps in Oujé-Bougoumou
The week started slowly, but with a lot of energy! Our team presented its services to a small group of entrepreneurs and CEDOs.
- Tania Charlebois, Maximizing Economic Benefits & Public Procurement Advisor, captivated the audience by explaining how her procurement services can help businesses secure contracts.
- Antoine Grenier, Business Transfer Advisor, shared his tips for business transfers and presented useful resources for buying or selling a business.
- Jonathan Michaud, Housing and Financial Literacy Advisor, immersed participants in the world of financial literacy using concrete examples.
- Justine Hétu, Communications Project Officer, introduced the ID1N brand and its website, sparking entrepreneurs’ interest in this seal of authenticity.
This first meeting was an opportunity to build direct relationships and to get a sense of the participants’ enthusiasm for the services offered by the FNQLEDC.
Tuesday, August 19 – Meetings in the field and session in Mistissini
Tuesday was very active! The team first focused on individual meetings in Oujé-Bougoumou: Tania discussed with entrepreneurs, Antoine spoke with Oujé-Bougoumou Entreprises, and Jonathan met with the principal of the local school. The ID1N team took the opportunity to begin registering businesses like Coppee Time, a local café and caterer.
In the evening, we headed to Mistissini and held an information session that brought together 12 businesses and entrepreneurs. Dave Sergerie, Strategic Projects Coordinator, presented ID1N, while Tania, Antoine and Jonathan presented their respective services. The discussions were rich and interest in our services was confirmed.
Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21 – Cree Nation Business Summit
These two days were dedicated to the Cree Nation Business Summit, a genuine hub of the Cree economy. Between conferences, panels, and informal meetings, our team was able to connect with key players about potential collaborations!
The ID1N team took advantage of the summit to recruit new businesses and held a small contest for the newly registered. The conferences made is possible to ensure a better understanding of the economic challenges facing Cree communities, and Tania’s presentation made a lasting impression by presenting procurement opportunities and the full range of services offered by the FNQLEDC.
Friday, August 22 – Closing in Waswanipi
To end the week on a high note, our team traveled to Waswanipi for an information session. Entrepreneurs discovered our services, spoke with our advisors, and learned about ID1N. It was a great opportunity to build on the connections established over the course of the tour and demonstrate firsthand how the FNQLEDC can support First Nations economic development.
A week rich in encounters and opportunities
This tour was much more than just a series of presentations: it was an opportunity for genuine exchanges with the communities, sharing knowledge, and being immersed in the reality of Cree entrepreneurs. The visibility of the FNQLEDC and ID1N has increased, and promising collaborations are in the making.
💡 Are you an entrepreneur who would like to learn more about our services or join ID1N? If so, then visit our website or contact our team to discover all the opportunities offered by the FNQLEDC and how we can support you in your economic development endeavours.
