This spotlight is focused on Ms. Annick Tremblay, an Innu from the community of Mashteuiatsh. She recently assumed her duties on January 23^rd as the Women Entrepreneurship Advisor at the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission. Ms. Tremblay has previously worked as a Social Economy Officer for this organization.

As part of the restructuring of the FNQLEDC, she expressed her interest in taking on this position. Her motivations have long been geared towards women in all their dimensions. The inspiration this gives her to carry these files drives her because the idea of helping and supporting future entrepreneurs gives her satisfaction in her professional tasks. Helping women achieve fulfilment in their entrepreneurial desires beyond their role as mothers is something that drives Ms. Tremblay, as does providing them with the tools they need while guiding them on the steps they must follow to carry out their projects.

Service description

The women entrepreneurship service offers individualized support to women in all phases of creating or expanding a business. All services are offered free of charge both inside and outside of the communities.

Depending on the nature of the request, the FNQLEDC can travel to provide its services or even offer them remotely when possible.

Offered services

• Accompaniment for the business pre-startup phase (e.g., exploring ideas, business planning, searching for financing, etc.)
• Business start-up phase support
• Accompaniment in business expansion
• Access to training and events organized by the FNQLEDC

In her previous role, she was involved in coordinating the Council of Elected Women. As part of this mandate, she had the opportunity to learn more about their issues and realities. She is certain that this background will be beneficial in her efforts to help women realize their projects and face their new challenges.

As a Women Entrepreneurship Advisor, she raises awareness by visiting different communities, among other things. These efforts are intended to encourage women to move from intention to action in terms of developing an entrepreneurial project. She offers a personalized support service.

Presence in Uashat Mak-Maliotenam

In February, part of the team of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) traveled to the Innu community to provide training, among other things, on the business plan presented to French-speaking economic development officers of the province. This event was held in partnership with the Société de développement économique Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam (SDEUM).

Part of the FNQLEDC team, including Ms. Tremblay, welcomed women entrepreneurs for a special presentation intended for women with female entrepreneurship as the main subject. During the evening, we were able to hear from four entrepreneurs from the community, two of whom were Matilda Fontaine and Josée Leblanc. They shared their entrepreneurial journeys with us and even presented a fashion show featuring clothes and accessories they make and sell as part of their businesses. It was a beautiful, typically feminine evening in Indigenous colours, during which Ms. Tremblay was able to share and discuss with these women entrepreneurs from different communities. This presentation took place in the Shaputuan Museum with a view to welcoming women entrepreneurs in a warm environment in First Nations colours.

As she was only 192 kilometres away from the community of Ekuanitshit, she went to meet with Innu women on this territory with the intention of making contact and informing entrepreneurs of her new functions and service offers. The objective was to hold individual clinics and meetings with community members who have business projects. She also took advantage of her visit to meet the new economic development officer, Ms. Tania Michel, who recently assumed her duties last November.

We wish Ms. Tremblay the utmost success in her new role as she works to help many women in their efforts to enter the entrepreneurial world.

To peruse additional entrepreneur portraits, please visit our blog section.