FINALIST PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESS

Both Southwick and Wood, who have known each other for more than 20 years, had been basically doing the same type of work for others the past couple of decades that they are doing now with their company.

Southwick, a Kluane First Nation citizen, had worked as the associate vice-president of Indigenous engagement and reconciliation at Yukon university before she co-founded IRP Consulting.

She worked a dozen years for the university and part of her duties included ensuring the school was meeting the training needs and education of its students representing the 14 First Nations in Yukon.

As for Wood, a member of Teslin Tlingit Council, her previous roles including working for Yukon College’s First Nations Initiatives (FNI) in various capacities. She started off with the college in 2011 as a facilitator for its FNI

Southwick said there is no shortage of companies these days that are offering services that further reconciliation efforts.

But she believes IRP is different for a few reasons.

“The difference with our company is that we are anchored in the north and with the breadth of services we are able to offer,” Southwick said. “And we are women that have an Indigenous-owned and operated business.”

IRP Consulting has also garnered some national recognition. It is one of two finalists this year that are in the running for the Indigenous Private Sector Business award at the Cando Conference.

This conference, annually attended by Indigenous economic development leaders across the country, is scheduled for June 26-29. The four-day event will be held in Membertou, N.S.

The other finalist in the running for the award in Cando’s Indigenous Private Sector Business category is the Bayside Development Corporation, which is a distinct travel centre located