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

“It’s about people’s true potential,” Lisa Organ, owner of Frozen Dreams in Whitehorse, Yukon states. “Being in business is all about the people, and supporting your people so they can continue to learn and grow.” And Organ would know this. She has worked in more than 30 different jobs, both full and part-time. She is now making tasty treats out of a remodelled shed in her backyard, that she has converted into a licensed kitchen. “I used to have two or three jobs at once,” she laughs. I’m pretty adaptable. I can easily handle changing priorities and urgencies and have a built-in ‘aim to please ..read more

Inspiring Business Leaders At the 2024 Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show By Danielle Vienneau   Desiree Brightnose is one of 35 inspiring business leaders who will present a workshop at the 2024 Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show, which will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from May 15 to 16.  A proud ininīw woman from Chemawawin Cree Nation, Brighthnose owns and operates Tilted Teepee Productions, a video production company located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory. Brightnose uses her creativity to unlock “the power of spirit through storytelling” to create captivating films ..read more

The Knotty By Nature Fibre Arts shop is a kaleidoscope of bright colours. Just walking through it makes you want to start a hobby to be able to use the products that are offered for sale.  Stephanie Papik, also known as Paniguvluk, is the founder and creator. Knotty By Nature carries knitting, weaving, spinning, felting, and fibre arts products. It also offers classes so that people can learn how to use the products. Papik keeps the cost of the classes low to allow as many people as possible to experience the joys of fibre arts. Papik was inspired by a great aunt, who, even though she was ..read more

Indigenous Strategy Alliance is delighted to share the remarkable success of the 2023 Winnipeg Indigenous Accord, an event that we proudly collaborated on with the City of Winnipeg. Rooted in the ethos of “Contributing to and through an Empowered Indigenous Canada,” our involvement in the Accord seamlessly aligned with our vision of facilitating meaningful dialogue and actionable outcomes for Indigenous communities. This year’s Accord was not just a gathering, it was a celebration of progress and a testament to the power of collective effort in advancing reconciliation. With an innovative anti ..read more

Inuujaq Leslie Fredlund always struggled with labels, so it took her a long time to call herself an artist and designer. “I’ve always been creative,” she states, “I love all of it—sewing, carving, jewelry, writing—I love working with my hands.” Growing up in many communities in Nunavut, this gracious, soft-spoken mother of four children, has called Rankin Inlet her home for the past 26 years. Having attended school in Ottawa at Nunavut Sivuniksavut, a school for Inuit that provides both cultural and academic experiences, she then ventured to Victoria, British Columbia, to pursue an education i ..read more

Shannon Bennett – Jacob & Samuel Drilling Ltd. (Val Caron, ON) Shannon Bennett talks about her mother not only being a strong woman but a strong role model. “She had five children,” recalls Bennett, “and she kept us all in line. I don’t remember one time when we were not at school or any extracurricular activity on time.” She adds with a chuckle, “I’ve never had to be stressed about being late for anything because there is no stress attached to getting somewhere on time.” Respect was also an important lesson. “My mother taught me a lot of respect for other human beings, regardless of hiera ..read more

By Rebecca Chartrand For over 50 years, NCI FM Radio has been a vital source of news, culture and entertainment for the Indigenous community in Manitoba and beyond. As the first Indigenous-owned and -operated radio station in the province, NCI FM has played a pivotal role in promoting Indigenous voices and music, and has become an important part of the province’s media landscape. For many years, Indigenous Peoples were excluded from historical records, maps and other forms of documentation. This exclusion contribu ..read more

By Rebecca Chartrand Whether it’s starting up a solar energy company or starting a boreal forest herbal production business, Indigenous values and oral traditions continue to impact the way Indigenous Peoples do business. From coast-to-coast-to-coast, Indigenous world views have a common thread that can be understood visually through a web of life where human beings are but a strand on the web. Such teachings illuminate the importance of maintaining a culture of care for all life. Protesting efforts to stop fracking and the pillaging of other natural resources has put Indigenous Peoples in the ..read more

By Rebecca Chartrand and Michelle Boivin As Canada strives for economic and social reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, businesses and organizations must align leadership with the opportunities that gave all Canadians the opportunity to live, work and prosper on Canadian soil. By adopting an Indigenous-first approach to employment equity, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians can benefit from greater economic reconciliation, improved opportunities for financial stability, and equitable and inclusive workplace environments. From where we are situated, Winnipeg (Manitoba) is located wi ..read more