Inaugural Indigenous small business gathering uplifts innovators, entrepreneurs

“Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities are still in the process of healing from colonization, residential schools and oppressive economic policies.”

– Benjamin Scott, EntrepreNorth 

A three-day gathering in Yellowknife this week is the first of its kind in the North, which organizers EntrepreNorth say has brought together Indigenous entrepreneurs, innovators, youth leaders, policy-makers and funders from across Northern Canada and the Circumpolar Arctic.

The Empowering Innovation Spirit Conference at the Explorer Hotel will explore how entrepreneurship can boost economic self-determination and community well-being for generations to come.

NWT Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caitlin Cleveland told the full conference room that their presence speaks to the strength of community and the deep spirit of innovation that defines the North.

She said: “In the face of vast distances, harsh climates, infrastructure challenges, and a world turning its eyes to the North, Northerners have always found creative ways to adapt, build and lead, and now is not a time to let up on this drive.

“That’s what makes innovation here so powerful. It isn’t just about new technology or business models. It’s about solving problems and achieving common goals in ways that reflect our realities, shared values and beautiful, diverse cultures. It’s about building futures that are community driven and rooted in place.

“The people of the North rise to the challenge every single time, and that’s why this conference is such a significant event.”

Benjamin Scott is a member of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation and the founding project director and co-lead of EntrepreNorth.

He said starting and growing a business in the North comes with its own unique set of challenges, such as the high cost of living, lack of infrastructure, limited access to resources, a smaller market base, to name just a few.

“And for many Indigenous entrepreneurs, these challenges are compounded by barriers,” said Scott, who is also chair of Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation’s board of directors.

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“(A lot) of these challenges are compounded by barriers stemming from colonization, Western economic ideologies, systemic racism, socio-economic disparities and the effects of intergenerational trauma.

“This affects our spiritual, physical, emotional and mental aspects of personhood and peoplehood. And the reality is that many Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities are still in the process of healing from colonization, residential schools and oppressive economic policies. So, when it comes to business, it’s important that we don’t just automatically subscribe to colonial and Western economic ideologies and ways of thinking.

“We have to create space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to explore what it means to uphold cultural integrity, identity and pride within their own business models. And our hope is to shift the paradigm of business in ways that better reflect who we are as Indigenous peoples.”

Scott said entrepreneurs can shift systems that create harm and embrace ideas that promote greater self-determination and economic justice.

“The core of our work is a simple idea — entrepreneurship should begin with the well-being of the entrepreneur, and when people are aligned in their own lives, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically, they can build businesses that carry that same sense of resonance into the world,” he said.

“Through our four directions of change theory, we have developed a deep belief that Northern Indigenous entrepreneurs can become … drivers of social change within their own communities and the development of sustainable businesses led by Indigenous entrepreneurs can create local economic opportunities to help break through cycles of poverty, address social challenges and strengthen our Northern ways of life.”

Bobby Drygeese, owner of B-Dene Adventures and a drummer with the Yellowknives Dene Drummers, said he started planning his business in 1999 and it took 10 years to really get going.

He said: “I’m from here. And I’m actually from our First Nation, and we always made sure that we follow the rules. We made sure to follow the plan. Because our Elders, our parents, said the first rule, you always tell the truth all the time.

“Second, we always said was, make sure everybody’s safe. You’re safe, I’m safe. Everything’s safe, safe, safe. And there’s the third rule …there are certain stories we have to tell, certain stories we can share, and there’s certain stories we cannot share.

“The fourth rule is there’s certain ceremony places out in the land and ritual spots out in the land where we can’t bring people there, because we have to keep things for ourselves, for our children to maintain.”

The conference continues on Thursday.

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