19 minute read
Northern Expressions Promoting the Spirit of Indigenous Art
Northern Expressions
Promoting the Spirit of Indigenous Art
Olu grew up as a child in Nigeria, listening to the many stories told by the adults. The common theme of these stories was human encounters with spirits and the scary stories of the spirits having power over helpless humans who are at their mercy.
Years later, when he read stories from the Inuit culture, he found shared elements and messages from his childhood. The stories of his childhood and that of the Inuit had themes that conflicted with contemporary understandings and viewpoints.
Journey To The Remote And The Frigid Cold
In 2007, Olu and Patricia began a journey to the cold fronts of Nunavik in Northern Quebec. The journey ended in 2014, during which they lived, travelled, and experienced the stark realities of aboriginal life amidst a sometimes extremely challenging physical and social environment. Everywhere they went, they were received warmly by the aboriginal community, made good friends, and met strangers ready to share their knowledge and possessions.
With each passing day, they began to be amazed at the grandeur of the land and its spectacular beauty. They learnt to endure the harsh and extreme climate and to embrace the community to celebrate their happiness and weep in their sorrow.
Facing their own challenges as residents of the far north made them respect the Indigenous people ' s strength, knowledge, and resilience.
Expressing an Integral Part of Indigenous Culture
Art and creativity are integral to the Indigenous worldview, and oral traditions remain an important part of cultural transmission. Some of this Indigenous art has been interpreted by extraordinarily gifted artists in ancient and contemporary art.
Northern Expressions promotes the symbols of enduring aboriginal spirit, resilience, and talent. They are the ultimate source of authentic Inuit and Native art and gifts and offer one-of-a-kid soapstone carvings, drawings, prints, and other creative works from accomplished artists.
Northern Expressions is the ultimate art gallery for authentic Canadian art and specializes in creative expressions from highly talented Canadian aboriginal artists of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Their collection includes sculptures, prints, artbased fashion designs, quality accessories, souvenirs, and gifts.
Inuit carvings are signed by the artists and carry the Igloo tag, a symbol of authenticity certified by the government of Canada. In addition, each print has the artist' s signature, a number, and the printer Northern Expressions is a value-based company committed to promoting Canadian Inuit art. They procure and merchandise only Indigenous art made in Canada. Through this policy, they strive to support Indigenous artists, their families, and their communities.
Their approach is customer oriented and welcoming in the true spirit of the Indigenous community. They offer a wide range of collections of originally created carvings, drawings, prints, fashion, souvenirs, and gifts.
Many aboriginal communities contributed to the Northern Expressions, including the Cape Dorset Community, Inukjuak Community, and Pangnirtung Community.
Northern Expressions is dedicated to displaying Indigenous art made in Canada and honours the unrelenting resilience, enduring spirit, and artistic expression of Canada ' s Indigenous peoples.
Olu notices that the Nigerian stories of his childhood and the Inuit stories of supernatural beings have conflicting messages. Instead of seeing them as obstacles to understanding and appreciating the stories in traditional culture, Olu explores their essence, which remains relevant to the people. These stories, messages, and interpretations are the astounding vision and creativity of the Inuit and other aboriginal cultures.
Olu seeks to impart this spirit and essence of Indigenous stories and art through Northern Expressions, as well as its depth of talent, inspiration, skill, and quality.
The Community Commitment
Conflicting Messages
They are proud of Canada
’ s Indigenous heritage and achievements through art. To know more about their artwork, visit their website at https://northernexpressionsart.ca/.
Art is an integral part of Indigenous culture and traditions. To learn more about businesses that cater to Indigenous art, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.
Pow Wow Pitch
Pow Wow Pitch is a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island that was formed to offer a secure, supportive, encouraging, and empowering platform for inspiration, education, mentoring, celebration, and reconciliation through entrepreneurship.
The Pow Wow Pitch community offers a platform for business owners to access opportunities and resources as well as support for company expansion. They provide on-demand access, live learning sessions, and access to free tools, resources, and opportunities to reach more customers.
Indigenous Collective Impacting Success.
The Pow Wow Pitch works towards a collective impact and success as a community by and for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Their initiatives include training and mentorship for business growth and a platform for Indigenous business owners to attract investors.
As a participant in Dragons ' Den,
Sunshine understands the importance of the courage and confidence mentors provide to continue the entrepreneurial journey. It is this sense of self-belief that she tries to instill in her fellow aspiring entrepreneurs through the Pow Wow Pitch.
Pow Wow Pitch is a pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island that attracts vendors, artists, business builders, and innovators from across industries looking to start a business or grow to the next level.
Pow Wow Roots CreatingOpportunities
The founder of Pow Wow Pitch, Sunshine Tenasco, belongs to the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. She started Pow Wow Pitch because entrepreneurship is a big part of Indigenous heritage and is the path to self-sufficiency.
She is trying to reawaken the Indigenous community to entrepreneurship, which they call trade. The Pow Wow program encourages every Indigenous entrepreneur in the community to take action on their entrepreneurial ideas and build businesses rooted in Indigenous culture. Through programmes and tools grounded in community leadership and volunteering, Pow Wow Pitch enriches, develops, and accelerates growth for current and potential Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way.
They seek to offer resources, initiatives, and platforms to help Indigenous entrepreneurs launch and expand successful, long-lasting businesses with a positive social impact.
The Pow Wow Pitch Startup Program supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with on-demand and live training, free tools and resources, and mentorship opportunities. These programs are available for people starting up, operating, and scaling up their businesses. In addition, they stream these resources on their social media channels, ensuring they will remain available for entrepreneurs ' future references.
Latest Initiatives for scaling up
While planning their long-term and scalable impact, Pow Wow Pitch formulated many new programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs. They launched the Learning Series, Podcast Series, Alumni Network, Pow Wow Pitch Box and established the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards. All these initiatives help entrepreneurs get recognized for their work and thereby contribute to the growth of entrepreneurs.
They formed an Advisory Board composed of Indigenous leaders from the community to help steer, support and steward the community ' s growth and its impact.
Their Alumni Network kicked off by pitching their funds, knowledge and resources to support the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs. The collective will introduce an alumni-directed Seed Fund for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs as the Alumni Network and resources grow.
The Pow Wow Pitch Podcast interviews some of the most successful Indigenous makers, creators, and entrepreneurs to share their experiences, lessons learned, and advice with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Pow Wow Pitch Box allows them to distribute products and services through their mailer and partner community. The Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, presented by Pow Wow Pitch, recognize and celebrate excellence and outstanding impact in Indigenous entrepreneurship by Indigenous-owned businesses across Turtle Island. Eight entrepreneurial entrepreneurs who truly embody Indigenous icons of the generation are honoured for their perseverance, growth, influence, and leadership.
Acknowledging Indigenous Roots
Pow Wow is a place to meet, dance, sing, and honour the Indigenous culture and trade. Indigenous people can make a difference in their communities across Turtle Island and the world. Pow Wow Pitch is their platform to grow their social impact and support one another as a community.
Pow Wow Pitch is a nonprofit organization that derives all of its funding through sponsorships from companies and organizations. Through business leadership, financial assistance, and volunteerism, they collaborate with their partners to have a long-lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Pow Wow Pitch is a platform that works to grow their social impact and support one another as a community. To know more about their programs and initiatives, visit their website at https://www.powwowpitch.org/.
The Indigenous community and entrepreneurial initiatives are working to boost the economy and its people. To know more about these ventures and their initiatives, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.
Journey to the Culinary Arts and Beyond
Chef Heat Laliberte was refining his charcuterie and butchery skills when he came across an advertisement for the Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training program at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. This drew his attention to entrepreneurship opportunities in Canada when he got accepted to the program, which helped him develop a business plan to start One Arrow Bacon.
An Experienced Cook With A Demonstrated History
Heat Laliberte has experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in a number of top restaurants and hotels in Vancouver, including Blue Water Café, the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, and Westin Hotel brands.
A skilled professional in catering, food and beverage, Garde Manger, hotel management, and cooking, Laliberte began his career as a chef in 2005. He is a strong operations professional with an ITA level 2 focus in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from Vancouver Community College.
Laliberte belongs to the Cree-Metis community and has spent the early period of his youth on the prairies of Saskatchewan. In 2002, he moved to Vancouver, which he considers home.
He began working at 22 as a cook in Davie Village. This experience inspired him to the dinner service and the kitchens ' camaraderie, and have attended Vancouver Community College ' s Culinary Apprenticeship Program.
His culinary hard work has led him to cook for world-class athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
A Path of Personal Growth
In 2017, Laliberte came across an advertisement for the Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program. This encounter sparked his passion for personal growth, which drives him to participate in the entrepreneurial and skills training program at the Vancouver Friendship Centre.
The program promotes the entrepreneurial spirit of people, communities, and organizations. Laliberte made the best out of this experience, where he worked diligently to combine his 15 years of experience in the culinary world with his love for the community to create a product to be proud of.
In 2016, he graduated from the Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship program and began to save his salary toward self-funding One Arrow. The business is his artisanal, handmade, naturally-smoked bacon business that uses local, ingredient-driven bacon.
Since the summer of 2017, One Arrow has made its way from the Vancouver Farmers ' Market stall to the shelves of Vancouver ’ s best artisan butcher shops and local grocery stores.
One Arrow Offering Indigenous Taste
One Arrow is an Indigenous-owned and operated business in Vancouver that specializes in smallbatch, handcrafted, and naturally smoked artisanal bacon. They offer four iconic flavours of bacon with unique dry rubs, including Black Pepper and Honey, Hickory Smoked Maple, Chinese Five-Spice and for the health-conscious, a sugar-free "Salt & Smoke.
Laliberte follows wellness and ethical food sourcing and has always committed to developing genuine relationships with vendors and customers, which has built a solid foundation for the consistent growth of One Arrow.
He uses local and premium quality ingredients such as Maple Sugar Shack Extra Dark Maple Syrup and Vancouver Island Sea Salt. In addition, One Arrow uses only locally sourced Fraser Valley Pork, and the hormone-free pork from Johnston Farms is 100% naturally smoked.
Recognition of Commitment
Chef Heat Laliberte has been recognized for his commitment to food sourcing, quality, and his passion for the culinary arts. He was named one of the Top 50 Entrepreneurs by Native Business, a list that raises awareness of the innovation, professionalism, competence, and tenacity demonstrated by Native entrepreneurs across Indian Country. In addition, he is the recipient of the 2016 Fairmont Pacific Rim ' s top prize and was named "Star of the Year.
In 2019, he was named the winner of This Sandwich, That Beer Throwback Throwdown paired with “The Beer Farmers ” from Pemberton and the Outstanding New Product 2019 "From the Ground Up " Trade Show.
Through his One Arrow, the two-spirited CreeMetis chef is a socially conscious entrepreneur who is deeply connected to the community and wholeheartedly supports the DTES Youth Program "Good Food for All. " They donate delicious bacon and culinary skills to local LGBTQ2A organizations and events.
One Arrow bacon is 100% naturally smoked and made fresh weekly in Burnaby, BC. To know more about their products, visit their website at https://www.onearrowmeats.com/.
Indigenous businesses are committed to the community. To know more about these ethical businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.
Indigenous Women Transforming the Economy
The Indigenomics Institute provides Indigenous economic advice to government authorities, Indigenous communities, and the private sector focusing on four key areas for overcoming barriers in the Indigenous economy and addressing these issues. Their area of specialization includes dialogue platforms for Indigenous economic solutions, economic policy/ research/analysis/planning, education/ training and partnership development.
The Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island, Carol Anne Hilton, is the founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics. She is a dynamic national Indigenous business leader, author, speaker and senior adviser with an international Masters ' s Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England.
The Indigenomics Institute has organized the SHE conference on the 1st and 2nd of November at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. The inaugural Indigenomics SHE conference is a space for the vision of Indigenous womxn ' s participation in the Indigenous economy.
The rapidly increasing number of Indigenous women in business makes the conference relevant as it brings together unique perspectives of financial empowerment, education, collaboration and innovation for Indigenous womxn business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Indigenous women entrepreneurs and those in finance, economic development, business governance and allies in the Indigenous economic reconciliation space are eligible to participate in the conference.
The conference sessions provide networking opportunities that will bring an energetic perspective to Indigenous women in business, including their role and leadership in the emerging Indigenous 100 billion dollars Indigenous economy. The Indigenomics Institute works towards positive leadership and relationships to support the growth and development of Indigenous economies.
Carol Anne Hilton coined the term Indigenomics to refer to a wave redefining the definition of economic reconciliation and contributing to the Canadian economy. As well it brings an Indigenous perspective to economic and social development.
The Indigenomics Institute is the leading national Indigenous economic design platform that offers consulting services to Indigenous nations, community economic development corporations, Indigenous businesses, governments, corporations, and the private sector.
The Institute seeks to make Indigenous modern and the political, economic, legal, and communal development goals more easily attainable. They create dialogue and design platforms to bring attention and focus to the growing Indigenous economy.
Carol Anne is a woman of many accomplishments. She is the international award-winning and best-selling author of "Indigenomics: Taking A Seat at the Economic Table. " In addition, her academic life extends to being an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University ' s School of Business.
Carol Anne has also taken the responsibility of many chairs, including being the only Indigenous person appointed to the Canadian Economic Growth Council as a senior advisor to the federal Finance Minister in 2016.
In addition, she served on the BC Emerging Economy Taskforce and the BC Indigenous Business and Investment Council and is currently the Director of the McGill University Institute for the Study of Canada, MITACS Research, and the BC Digital Supercluster.
Carol Anne has been recognized for her work with the inaugural Nation Builder Award from the National Angel Capital Organization in 2022, the BC Achievement Foundation ' s Award of Distinction in Indigenous Business, and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business ' s national Award of Excellence in Aboriginal Relations.
Indigenomics enhances the position and visibility of Indigenous peoples in the modern economy by respecting their knowledge of the local economy, relationships, and human values. Her philosophy focuses on understanding Indigenous ways of being and worldviews, drawing on timeless principles that have sustained Indigenous economies for thousands of years and seeking to implement them into practice in modern practices. It invites dialogue and thought-provoking insight into the possibility of the Indigenous relationship in Canada and beyond. It explores the pathway between the threshold of the Indigenous relationship and modern economies.
Indigenous economic growth is suitable for everyone. Through dialogue and connecting, solutions-based collaborations can occur to address the challenges and overcome systemic economic barriers.
The contribution of women entrepreneurs in the small business industry in particular and to the Canadian economy has increased significantly in the past years. Hence, it is necessary to ensure they hold the knowledge and practice to become resilient entrepreneurs who adapt to changing market trends and succeed in their endeavours.
The Indigenomics Institute works towards the empowerment of the Indigenous community, and the SHE Conference in November is a continuum of that empowerment as they celebrate the contribution of women to the Canadian economy.
The coming together of women entrepreneurs is a decisive step towards economic reconciliation and women empowerment. To find out more about the SHE Conference and the Indigenomics Institute, visit the website at https://indigenomicsinstitute.com/event s/she-2022/.
Indigenous institutions and people are working towards the upliftment of their community. To read more on these initiatives, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.
Larissa Crawford
In November 2019, Larissa Crawford left her last employment position due to the overt racism, ageism, and ableism she experienced in the workplace. Taking things into her own hands, she decided action planning to start a business in intergenerational family knowledge exchange sessions.
In 2020, Larissa found Future Ancestors Services Inc. using personal savings and, within a year of business, had 200 clients. Their demand continues to grow, with racial and environmental justice bubbling into mainstream social consciousness. They benefit significantly from the work of frontline activists and continue to pursue opportunities for reciprocity.
In 2022, they are focused on building administrative support, shaping organizational direction with decolonial and Indigenous teachings, re-launching their direct community support such as live events, the Constellation, and their grant fund, and bringing on new team members. Larissa Crawford is a Métis, Jamaican, Afro-Indigenous, young mother and a disabled person with Penetanguishene Métis and Jamaican Afro-Caribbean ancestry. She leads and contributes to contracts and services that center on antiracism, climate justice, public policy and governance, global development, youth engagement, indigenous engagement, and decolonization.
In June 2018, Larissa received her Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Communication Studies from York University. She has worked to start a library in Accra, Ghana, volunteered in Istanbul, Turkey, and represented her university at several global United Nations events. In addition, she has led several anti-racism and Indigenous research initiatives at the university.
Shortly after, she brought this experience to the Ontario AntiRacism Directorate and the Ontario Ministry of Energy as a policy advisor, Indigenous Grant Coordinator at Alberta NonProfit and Indigenous Policy Advisor at York University. Larissa ' s expertise has led to her specializing in climate justice, public policy, accessibility, restorative circle keeping, Indigenous and anti-racism research, race-based data gathering, and restorative practice and conflict resolution.
Larissa Crawford is a published Indigenous and anti-racism researcher and policy advisor with more than 13 years of experience. Through her initiatives, she is proud to impart Métis and Jamaican ancestry to her daughter, Zyra.
Larissa founded Future Ancestors Services as a youth-led professional services social enterprise that operates at the intersection of climate and racial justice.
As future ancestors, Future Ancestors Services supports clients and the community in honouring their responsibilities as future ancestors and shaping the just and sustainable futures the next generations will inherit.
It is an Indigenous and Black-owned, youth-led professional services social enterprise that advances climate justice and systemic barrier removal through the lenses of anti-racism and ancestral accountability.
They support clients and the community in resolving structural problems that disadvantage certain groups of people, their connections to the land and others, and the health of the Earth while focusing on decolonized and Indigenous practices.
They are an intergenerational team of Black, Indigenous, racialized, Queer, disabled, and Francophone professionals and advisors. Through this team, they provide speaking, training, research, consulting services, and influencer and interview services to diverse clients.
All their initiatives and partnerships aim to advance climate justice, decolonization, and anti-racism. They specialize in accessible, anti-ageist, anti-racist, bilingual, and transformational service delivery and do not accept contracts that go against their commitments and responsibilities. Future Ancestors Services are intentional about how they 'do business. ' As a company accountable to its community, they ensure that their works suit the best for people, kin, and Earth. They believe that by supporting their clients through services, they are improving the capacity to create better spaces and work outputs that honour people and the environment in the past, present, and future.
Larissa continues to gain knowledge on Northern Indigenous climate knowledge, climate policy, anti-racism opportunities in environmentalism, and conducting business using conventional and decolonized methods through initiatives like the Students on Ice Arctic Policy Cohort, the CohortX Climate Justice, Action Canada, and the Youth Climate Lab FutureXChange fellowships, the Raven Trust Capital Fireweed Fellowship, and the Arctic Policy Cohort.
Larissa Crawford has received much recognition for her committed service. In 2020-21 she was named on The Women of Influence Top 25 list, Refinery Canada ' s 29 Powerhouses, York University ' s Top 30 Under 30 alumni, HuffPost' s 26 Indigenous Influencers to Follow, and the Pollution Probe Equity in Sustainability Award.
Larissa Crawford and Future Ancestors Services are working towards the decolonization of time, localizing language by the commitment to the North Conflict Resolution Southern Michif Language. To learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit the website at www.futureancestors.ca
Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses are being recognized across Canada for their community-driven transformative initiatives. To read more on these businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.
