{"id":19591,"date":"2025-07-15T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdepnql.org\/?post_type=blog&p=19591"},"modified":"2025-07-10T13:57:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T17:57:44","slug":"building-connections-creating-meaning-a-look-back-at-the-2025-gathering-of-indigenous-peoples-on-the-social-economy","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/cdepnql.org\/en\/blog\/building-connections-creating-meaning-a-look-back-at-the-2025-gathering-of-indigenous-peoples-on-the-social-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Building connections, creating meaning: A look back at the 2025 Gathering of Indigenous Peoples on the Social Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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A pep talk with a view to rooting the social economy in ancestral values<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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From the opening conference, participants were invited to reconsider the social economy from a perspective of traditional knowledge and practices.<\/p>\n

Guest speaker Karine Awashish built powerful bridges between the principles of sharing, solidarity, and reciprocity\u2014pillars of Indigenous economies\u2014and contemporary models of collective entrepreneurship. She provided a true breath of inspiration that rekindled the collective drive to build differently.<\/p>\n

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Giving voice to promising initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The morning\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Bingo, workshops, and brainstorming\"\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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:<\/p>\n