CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH: RECOGNIZING 5 EXCEPTIONAL INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS IN CANADA

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures, contributions, heritage, and histories of Indigenous peoples in Canada More than that, we want to focus on the Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada who are making significant strides in the business world, combining their cultural heritage with innovative ideas and sustainable practices

According to the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, there are over 60,000 Indigenous businesses here in Canada We want to spotlight five Canadian-Indigenous business leaders who positively impact their communities and beyond

StevenVanloffeld FounderandCEOofeSupplyCanada

Steven Vanloffeld is a Saugeen First Nation entrepreneur passionate about the economic development of Indigenous communities He is the Founder and CEO of eSupply Canada, a national online distributor of office, janitorial, industrial, and promotional supplies

We caught up with Steven and asked him how his cultural heritage and personal background have shaped his approach to business

Steven is committed to giving back to Indigenous communities and does just that through the eSupply Canada Future Leaders Scholarship Program Most recently, eSupply Canada saw that the Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre was facing a shortfall in funding for its Summer Splash Camp, which supports cultural education among urban Indigenous kids and their peers eSupply Canada responded by subsidizing eight weeks of camp for nine kids with a donation of $3,000

"Traditional values are core to eSupply Canada's mission, vision, and values. We embrace the 7 Grandfather Teachings in principle, policy, and practice. By adhering to these Teachings, we are able to stay true to ourselves and create value for our customers while competing in a market economy. " said Steven.

LeighJoseph

FounderofSḵwálwenBotanicals

Sḵwálwen (skwall - win) Botanicals is a luxury Indigenous brand creating botanical skin care products rooted in Indigenous cultural traditions and sustainable practices Leigh Joseph is the visionary behind the brand and comes from the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation Each product is handcrafted using traditional plant knowledge and ethically sourced ingredients.

Sḵwálwen gives back to Indigenous communities through two key initiatives: the Ceremony Series and the HHiýáḿ Project

The Ceremony Series is a unique offering from Sḵwálwen Botanicals of small-batch, extra-luxe, handmade skincare and wellness experiences They donate 10% of sales from every Ceremony release to an organization that supports Indigenous communities The Hiyam Project is a collaboration between Sḵwálwen Botanicals and Satinflower Nurseries, facilitating thousands of seeds planted on Indigenous lands The initiative was launched in 2021, and the Hiýáḿ Projects first iteration featured coastal mugwort seed packets distributed to Sḵwálwen customers in tandem with the Pauquachin, Scia'new, and Tsartlip communities on southern Vancouver Island