“The Native Sea Otter has always been a highly valued animal and symbol. In the past only tribal nobility were allowed to wear its fur. Native legends describe the Otter as a giver of great fortunes. The otter symbolizes friendship, peace, kindness and family. The otter is also social and mischievous and a symbol of ..read more

DAWN ROSSIGNOL RETHINK BIOCLEAN – REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN Dawn Rossignol and her husband, Philip, are the co-owners of ReThink BioClean Sales and Service, based in Regina. It offers cleaning chemicals, liquids, and supplies on a refill basis to other businesses. The company is a successor to a COVID-based business that provided Personal Protective Equipment and associated disinfectants during ..read more

LINDA THOMAS WEENUK-THOMAS SMOKED FISH – PORT ALBERNI, BRITISH COLUMBIA In the heart of Indigenous culture, where tradition intertwines with the wisdom of generations, Linda Thomas has carved her path—a journey marked by family, hard work, and a deep reverence for her heritage. Born from the teachings of smoking fish and the invaluable lessons passed ..read more

Patricia Dwyer’s role on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Wildlife Federation puts her in a position to have an enormous impact on the conservation of Canadian wildlife By David DeRocco As a young Métis child living with her family in Northern Alberta, Patricia Dwyer aspired to become a wildlife veterinarian. Although those dreams shifted ..read more

Another sold-out event, the 27th Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show, was a great success. The growing event celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ business, community, and economic development achievements and has been doing so since 1997. SAY Magazine is honoured to be an ongoing media partner of Vision Quest and among the many businesses that set up ..read more

Quebec, Canada For the Innu community of Mani-utenam, located in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, music has been a way to heal from the trauma of residential schools. This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the Festival Innu Nikamu.   Festival Innu Nikamu continues the tradition of bringing together the Innu communities of Québec and Labrador ..read more

Shawish Market, a pioneering virtual marketplace, is indigenizing the e-commerce landscape. Founded by Amanda Bernard, a proud member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation (New Brunswick, Canada), Shawish Market has rapidly gained traction with over 150 vendors and more than 800 authentic Indigenous products.    Launched in 2022, Shawish was created to celebrate talented Indigenous artists through a trusted platform while encouraging the continuation of traditional Indigenous practices. Since the launch, Bernard has been recognized as one of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders of 2024, whil ..read more

TOMATO WHEELS – EDMONTON, ALBERTA “Build a Global Brand. Feed the World.” The goal is ambitious, but it is the heart and inspiration behind Moirae Choquette’s company, Tomato Wheels. Tomato Wheels designs Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine to be chilled and sipped. They directly source their grapes from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, where they collaborate with a fourth-generation family-owned and operated vineyard. During a visit to DOSC, an Edmonton restaurant that carries Tomato Wheels Lambrusco, Choquette shared her story, background, and the ultimate “why” behind launching her company. “As I was doi ..read more

POETRY OF THE GODS – BURKS FALLS, ONTARIO “Poetry of the Gods,” a Canadian Indigenous-owned skincare and candle brand, is the creation of Melissa Della Porta—the inspiration for the product line developed from a personal need to find a product that alleviates dryness. Unable to find a suitable product she liked, Della Porta took a soap-making class and fell in love with it. From soap-making, she ventured into candle-making and eventually started researching the development of her skincare line. Once she was comfortable with the products, she began selling them. She has thirty stockists across ..read more

Anishinaabekwe artist Jenna Valiquette (Leading Eagle Woman) is the founder of Eagle Woman Prints, a company that creates contemporary prints based on traditional ways of knowing. With Valiquette as the designer, she melds her Indigenous culture with modern art influences, offering a range of prints, beadwork and custom gifts that incorporate her mixed heritage.  Valiquette is very passionate about Indigenous resistance and resurgence and describes her business as her “heart project,” where her creations reflect her feelings and observations of the world around her. “To express my experie ..read more