INDIGENOUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Now members have access to webinars that show start-up companies how to properly launch a new business, among other offerings. “Sometimes people don’t want to get into starting a business because they don’t know what first steps to take,” she says. “The webinars are aimed at breaking down barriers and providing practical tips on how to start a business properly.” It’s clear to see the networking and training is working. “We’re seeing a vast array of businesses popping up, from event planning to construction to marketing and social media,” she says. “It’s exciting to see.” New entrepreneurs will have a leg up when they start their businesses in the coming years, Cameron notes. “In the past, there weren’t that many Indigenous mentors,” she says. “Now, with all the businesses that have established themselves, young entrepreneurs will have a pool of people they can go to for direction and advice.” All this positive momentum is
energizing, she adds. “I take any chance I get to speak to young entrepreneurs to showcase what’s possible,” she says. “I tell them to go chase their dream because, as they’re seeing, it’s possible.” In addition, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce announced in August that the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce would receive $225,000 in funding as part of the provincial government’s $50-million Pandemic Long-Term Recovery Fund. These funds will go towards a project to design and develop an Indigenous business directory, as well as to create a certification criteria and validation process to determine the level of Indigenous ownership within each company. As the saying goes, the sky's the limit. “Right now, of all the companies in Canada, 1.7 per cent of them are Indigenous, so there’s tons of potential there,” she says. “We would love to triple the number of Indigenous-owned companies in the next five years.” With everything trending in the right
direction, there’s no reason that can’t happen, Cameron says. “So many good things are going on here,” she says. “We have a wonderful new executive director in Rhonda Forgues and a board of directors that possesses a wealth of knowledge.” At the board election in June, there were 15 seats available with 16 applicants, which Cameron says was great to see. Long story short, the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce is going to continue doing all they can to support those who have an unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit. “There’s a lot of excitement given what we’ve accomplished in the last year or so,” she says. “There’s been a lot of progress because we’ve worked hard at creating change. We’re really starting to see growth and gain, which is very exciting.” And it’s exciting for the province, with Indigenous-owned businesses poised to play a key role in making an already diversified provincial economy that much more diverse. ■
29 WINTER 2023
Powered by FlippingBook