The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) awarded eleven Nikanewin Bursaries worth $2,500 each in 2023 as well as one $5,000 Bursary. These grants are awarded specifically to First Nations people aged 18 and over who live in Quebec (inside or outside the communities) who have a business project in mind and want to take action.
Today, we present to you one of the recipients of the 2023 edition, Ms. Annick Ouellet and her project: Aventure Myco Boréale.
The fungal world: a universe full of secrets
Annick Ouellet, an Innu from Mashteuiatsh, is a start-up entrepreneur whose business specializes in growing specialty mushrooms and harvesting wild mushrooms.
“Our goal is to offer a quality product in terms of fresh and dried mushrooms, while helping you discover the secrets of the fungal world.”
For Annick, the fungal world, as uncertain as it may be, is a universe that deserves to be better known by all. Aventure Myco Boréal was born thanks to this passionate desire to participate in the discovery of this fascinating world. Training, introductions to edible mushrooms in the boreal forest and expertise on your land are some of the other services offered by Aventure Myco Boréal in addition to the cultivation of quality mushrooms.
What the grant allowed her to do…
It was thanks to a Facebook post on the FNQLEDC page that Annick learned about the Nikanewin Bursaries.
“I saw the post and was immediately interested in the initiative. I told myself that having access to such a grant would allow me to move the project forward a little faster, so I went for it!”
Her initiative paid off since, a few days later, she obtained a $2,500 grant!
“This is the first concrete amount I have received to finance this project, before that, I was the one who paid everything out of my own pocket.”
For Annick, this amount allowed her to replace obsolete equipment with more modern equipment and purchase new equipment she didn’t have, thus allowing her to increase her production capacity.
“Of course, when you work with obsolete equipment, there are always small problems that arise and interrupt production. Since acquiring my new equipment, production has increased considerably!”
Would you like to know more about the Nikanewin Bursaries? The application period for the 2024 edition has now begun and will be closing on March 31st. For more information, check out our website at nikanewinbursaries.org.
