ISSUE 105
SINCE 2002
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS
Indigenous Inclusion
in Corporate Leadership
Mr. Bannock
Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2C 5G7
Building Community Capacity for Over 20 Years
PM 43436539 PRINTED IN CANADA $6.99
Food Truck Brings Indigenous Cuisine to the Streets of Vancouver
FUNDING FOR EMPLOYERS DID YOU KNOW?
JOBS FOR YOUTH
First Nations, First Nations businesses and community-serving non-profits are eligible to receive a 50% Green Jobs wage match to hire local youth.
SINCE 2018, PLT CANADA HAS
FROM MORE THAN
500
INTO PAID GREEN JOBS WORK EXPERIENCES
HELPED TO PLACE
+ YOUTH
80
FIRST NATIONS
Many right in their own communities!
Youth can also access mentorship opportunities, skill-building webinars, mental health services, equipment subsidies, and much more. Learn more: pltcanada.org.
2 | BUSINESS
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE SFI-00001
PROJECT LEARNING TREE CANADA
PLT is an initiative of SFI Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
SINCE 2002
8 Indigenous Journalists Shine Spotlight on Anti-Indigenous Ideologies
CONTENTS
10
ISSUE 105
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS
SAY MAGAZINE Volume 19, Issue 5 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as an annual Education Guide and other special editions. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine.
E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com
ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2020 by SAY Magazine
Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown
GST: 856627534RT0001
Editor-in-Chief Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com
Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design Ad Sales Megan Henry advertising@saymag.com Terra MacPhail terra@saymag.com Printed in Canada Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries, etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine www.twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.instagram.com/say_magazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
6 A Career Comes Full Circle 21 Music Culture Essential 26 A Woman's Journey 16 Indigenous to Business Becoming an Entrepreneur Veterans 17 Indigenous Initiative
Two Incredible 27 Literature: Book Releases
18 Embracing a Career in HR 28 Trauma-Informed Lawyering 20 The Untold Relocation Story
Content Creator Terra MacPhail terra@saymag.com Contributing Editor Sarah Ritchie
Cover Story: Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. is Forging a New Path to Nation Building
SAY Magazine acknowledges that we live in Treaty One Territory, at the crossroads of the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Nations, and at the heart of the Métis Nation homeland.
12
Entrepreneur Brenda LaRose Advocates for Indigenous Voices at the Highest Level of Decision-Making in Business
14
Chef Paul Natrall is Keeping Indigenous Food Culture Alive BUSINESS | 3
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
There are over 50,000 Indigenous businesses in Canada, and Indigenous people are creating businesses at nine times the rate of non-Indigenous Canadians. - Tabitha Bull
F
all is in the air, and change is (literally) everywhere from the colour of the leaves to the ever changing economic landscape. One thing is certain, Indigenous Peoples continue to adapt, demonstrating resilience and hope during these difficult times. In this business issue of SAY Magazine, the wealth of Indigenous communities is celebrated. Despite any obstacles, we are rich in culture, traditions, and human and natural resources. In the words of the ever-popular and influential Beyoncé: “Who run the world? Girls.” Even Lenny Kravitz recently held up a sign (posted to Instagram) that read “It’s time to turn it over to women!” In this issue, that’s exactly what we are doing. We are proud to feature many strong Indigenous women in business, paving the way for the next generation of female leaders. Flip to page 10 for our cover story on the Indigneous-owned and operated Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI). With a focus on nation building, this company is run entirely by women. Meet inspiring entrepreneurs like Brenda LaRose (page 12), human resource professional Krystal Abotossaway (page 19) and Michele Young-Crook (page 26) and so many more talented women in business, literature and music. Of course, we couldn’t leave out the accomplished men from our communities. Find out about the vision behind the Mr. Bannock
food truck (page 14) and learn about how Indigenous culture needs to play a larger role in business from Lionel Drouin, member of the Red Sky Métis from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Last but not least, we have created a regular space in the magazine dedicated to sharing information about law and justice. Flip to page 28 for our first guest editorial on this topic, themed trauma-informed lawyering. In most, if not all, the interviews we have conducted with business owners, there is one piece of advice they all commonly share: surround yourself with others who share your values and add value to your life. Of course this is just one of a few key strategies you can employ as you embark on a new business venture or work on improving an existing one, but it is key to building relationships and creating a sustainable business. Best of luck on your journey!
SAY Magazine would like to acknowledge the month of October as breast cancer awareness month--early detection is key, so don’t forget to get screened. This fall we also honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit and LGBQQTIA individuals (MMIWG). We stand alongside the families who have lost loved ones, offering our support in commemorating them. In November (and every day at SAY Magazine), we celebrate our brothers and sisters across the border in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month.
Danielle Vienneau, Editor-in-Chief Next Issue: Art & Entertainment
Issue Name
Issue # Theme
Space Material Reservation Deadline
Publication Dates
Special Edition
106
Art & Entertainment
Nov. 6, 2020
Nov. 13, 2020
Dec. 19, 2020
Ed. Guide 2021
107
Education
Jan. 18, 2021
Jan. 27, 2021
Feb. 22, 2021
Spring 2021
108
Leadership
Feb. 22, 2021
Mar. 5, 2021
Apr. 14, 2021
Special Edition
109
Environment
Apr. 16, 2021
Apr. 26, 2021
May 31, 2021
Summer 2021
110
Tourism
May 24, 2021
June 4, 2021
July 12, 2021
Dates subject to change. Advertising inquiries contact: megan@saymag.com or terra@saymag.com Order your subscription from the webstore at: saymag.com 4 | BUSINESS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020/21 OCT 1-DEC 31
JAN 25 & 27, FEB 1 & 3
NOV 1-30
JAN 26-28
Virtual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) Hosted by Chickasaw Nation, this online event features art from talented Southeastern and Woodland First American artists. seasam.net National Native American Heritage Month USA
NOV 25-27
National Gathering for Indigenous Education Virtual event by Indspire themed “Indigenous Knowledge: Our Path Forward”. indspire.ca/events/national-gathering
NOV 26-29
Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) The 2020 online edition presents Indigenous-made works, fashions, crafts and textiles from around the globe. IFWtoronto.com
DEC 14
Return to Light Winter Solstice Virtual Retreat Let’s honour the turning of the seasons and get ready to bring in the Light for our Mother Earth, and for ourselves, and our families and communities. medicinesongwoman.com/events
Cannexus21: National Career Development Conference The 15th annual Cannexus Conference by CERIC is going virtual this year with the theme “Career Development for Public Good”. cannexus.ceric.ca
18th Annual BC Natural Resources Virtual Forum Network, collaborate and exchange ideas on building and maintaining a resilient natural resource sector. bcnaturalresourcesforum.com
MAY 18-20
24th Annual Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show Promoting Indigenous business, community and economic development. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada vqconference.com
MAY 22-23
1st Annual International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Canadian and American Indigenous musicians and artists can submit their work for consideration until Feb. 1, 2021. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada indigenoushiphopawards.com
SAY has made every effort to ensure our calendar of events is up to date; however, we encourage you to check event websites regularly for updates due to interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. BUSINESS | 5
PROFILE
A Career Comes Full Circle
A
by Danielle Vienneau
lmost two decades ago, Terra Kerani MacPhail excitedly picked up an inaugural issue of SAY Magazine. She didn’t realize at the time that fleeting moment would later manifest into her communications career coming full circle by joining the SAY Magazine team. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I would love to work on a magazine like this one day’,” said MacPhail. “I tucked the notion away and didn’t think of it much after that.” She ended up enrolling at Cambrian College as a graphic design student and has worked in the communications industry ever since. Recently, MacPhail moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, bringing her back to her roots in the homeland of the Métis Nation. MacPhail comes from a large Métis family in Regina, Saskatchewan. She was the first-born grandchild to the matriarch of her family, Flora Kotowich, née McAuley (Swampy Cree, Scottish, French of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan). Being Métis has always been her cultural identity, and it plays a significant role in her worldview and how she lives her life. Keep reading to find out more about our newest staff member and her intention for the future of SAY Magazine. SAY: Why do you feel so connected to SAY Magazine? MacPhail: During my career as a graphic designer and communications professional, I have worked on and redesigned a variety of magazines. I’ve always loved magazines, but an Indigenous magazine means so much more to me personally! When the opportunity came to move back to the Prairies, I wondered why the flow of life had brought me back to the Métis Heartland after so many years away. After working a few contract positions with other companies, a position opened with SAY Magazine and I gladly accepted it. Everything started to make sense. I feel this next career step is very Spirit-led; I have come full circle, and I’m on the right path.
6 | BUSINESS
SAY: You have been an entrepreneur most of your career. Why are you particularly excited about this Indigenous Business issue? MacPhail: The way I see it, there is a huge move to decolonize economics within
Indigenous communities. Most people, regardless of race or gender, don’t want to be reliant on the government for support, and many Indigenous communities have thriving economic development sectors. I believe entrepreneurship is an antidote
PROFILE
to colonial institutionalization, which historically was thrust upon communities and has done great harm. Encouraging people to start and grow businesses can empower and uplift communities and the world if done in a good way. It can be life affirming when done in collaboration and with clear values that support people and the planet. It is also an incredible creative outlet that has no limits! For those that have the entrepreneurial qualities of innovative thinking, drive and determination, it is a viable and exciting career path. SAY: Who are your role models, and how have they inspired you? MacPhail: I would have to say that Leslie Lounsbury, the founder of SAY Magazine, is certainly one of them! Although I never had the fortune of meeting her in person, I feel like I have a conversation with her every day! Leslie was an educator by trade, and my family is full of educators. Although I didn’t choose to become a teacher myself, I am an educator at heart, and SAY Magazine is a great educational resource. Leslie recognized a need and saw how a magazine could inspire and uplift.
SAY: Do you have any advice for youth interested in business, and for young Indigenous women in particular? MacPhail: Women are natural nurturers. That’s not to say that men don’t nurture; they do—balanced men nurture and balanced women lead in business. It is essential that women express their creativity by being business leaders. Women in business often create sustainable, values-driven companies because they are more apt to consider the whole picture. For example, I belong to a wonderful group called the Indigenous LIFT Collective. It is based on values of mutual support, radical generosity and is part of the international SheEO community. Each week we amplify each other’s messages through social media and support one another’s visions for a better future. My advice to young women entrepreneurs is to seek support through mentorship and networking. Find your tribe and support
circle because that will give you the fuel and support you need to thrive. And be humble, be willing to realize and accept that you don’t know how to do everything, and be willing to ask others for help. SAY: What is your vision for the future of SAY Magazine? MacPhail: SAY Magazine has nearly two decades of incredible history and legacy. The way we can honour that legacy is to work hard to expand and grow. We have to continually strive to be relevant, share inspirational stories, and stay connected to our communities while inspiring people to be their best selves. We all love a good story! A good story can be good medicine. I want to see SAY Magazine become visible in the mainstream. I envision it at checkout registers in grocery stores and gift shops everywhere. I would really like to expand our digital distribution also. If SAY Magazine becomes a part of everyday life, I think we will have done our part to help decolonize media.
BUSINESS | 7
NEWS
Indigenous Journalists Expose Anti-Indigenous Ideologies
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by Emelia Fournier, Communications Coordinator, APTN
n September 25, 2020, APTN, The Guardian Australia, High Country News and the Texas Observer released a collaborative investigative project called “The Anti-Indigenous Handbook”. Published a few months after APTN News’ 20th anniversary, this landmark project is one of the largest-scale Indigenous journalism collaborations to date, bringing together Indigenous reporters from across the globe. The collection of reportage examines anti-Indigenous ideologies and how governments, special interest organizations, corporations and hate groups mobilize those sentiments. The idea for the project arose during a meeting of Indigenous journalists at the 2019 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Hamburg, Germany, which former Native American Journalists Association President Tristan Ahtone attended. “There is little to no examination of these [anti-Indigenous] ideologies anywhere in the world, and this collaboration is an attempt to look specifically at incidents and activities, and shed light on the way in which populations are essentially ‘gaslit’ to accept these attitudes,” said Ahtone.
“The general consensus was that international collaboration between Indigenous reporters was necessary and vital to our work,” he added. Reporters began working on the project at the end of March amid the chaos of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Brittany Guyot, an investigative reporter for APTN, infiltrated a private Facebook group for active and retired RCMP members and their supporters that had previously been reported on by APTN. “It was clear after just a few minutes of scrolling through the page that there were many concerning statements made about Indigenous Peoples, and particularly about the Wet’suwet’en rallies and blockades that were being held in support across the country,” said Guyot. The project connected journalists across international borders and experience levels. “I’m grateful to have worked closely with Francine Compton [of APTN] and McKenna Stayner,” said Guyot. “It was refreshing to be able to work with passionate and skilled journalists on such an important project. As someone that is new to journalism, this project exposed me to new methods of journalism and stylistic ways of writing.”
Brittany Guyot
Tristan Ahtone
Stayner, a former editor at The New Yorker, was a key editor for the project. “Her ability to align the different tones, voices and threads into a piece that was unified yet uniquely personal has really been key to making the project shine,” said Ahtone. Although the report’s international collaborative nature was exciting and valuable, it also exposed the pervasiveness of anti-Indigenous sentiment worldwide. “I hope more people will consider the impact their online statements can have on individuals and communities in Canada, especially Indigenous Peoples,” said Guyot.
Illustration by Marty Two Bulls Jr., www.martytwobullsjr.com.
Ahtone said this project exposes the lack of institutional attention to anti-Indigenous sentiment. “We hope that this reporting encourages individuals and organizations to be aware of anti-Indigenous bias and take action . . . Bottom line, this is an area that receives almost no attention, and our hope is that this work prompts deeper investigation into anti-Indigenous ideologies, its purveyors, and their networks,” said Ahtone. Read the full report at aptnnews.ca.
This project was created in partnership with the Indigenous Investigative Collective and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. 8 | BUSINESS
BUSINESS | 9
COVER STORY
ILDI staff from left to right: Alicia Hunt, Summer Student; Miranda Smoke, Manager Special Projects and Finance; Sandra Ducharme, Project Coordinator; Rosa Walker, President and CEO; Amber Sumner, Project Coordinator; Melanie Dean, Director Executive Training; Mackenzie Oatway, Project Assistant.
Building a Legacy of Indigenous Leadership
T
he Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI), a non-profit organization located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, has been building the leadership capacities of First Nation, Metis and Inuit Peoples for more than 20 years. Since its inception in 2000, ILDI has delivered quality training for self-governance, supporting Indigenous excellence, creating strategic plans, providing high-level negotiation skills and bridging cultural awareness training to corporations across Canada and beyond.
10 | BUSINESS
“We have seen Indigenous People taking more control over their own governance, over their own communities,” said Rosa Walker, president and chief executive officer of ILDI. “Communities need more than a ‘drop-in approach’ to delivering programs and services, where someone just flies in to deliver them then flies out without leaving anything—no capacity behind. We as Indigenous People know the needs of our communities. We use contemporary leadership skills and traditional ways to meet [our] unique needs.”
ILDI has worked with Indigenous communities to support the evolution to self-governance, working to help communities build their capacities through leadership development, training and skill building, and helping to bring important economic development to communities. ILDI operates under the principles of “Indigenous Leadership for Tomorrow, Today”. As an all-Indigenous organization— including its ownership, board and staff, who all happen to be women—it works with over fifty Indigenous facilitators who
COVER STORY
bring their knowledge and expertise to centres across Canada. “It’s personal,” added Walker, referring to the work that ILDI does. “We have a personal stake in our people doing well. We have community knowledge; we live our roots, our culture, our teachings.” This deeply personal approach is infused into everything the organization does, and it begins with programs that invest in Indigenous youth and a vision for their success. Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL) provides mentorship and meaningful skill development through ILDI’s Executive Training, giving Indigenous youth opportunities to facilitate and learn as well as to lead training, all under the guidance of ILDI and its senior facilitators. This legacy program builds effective leaders using traditional community practices and learnings from Elders as well as contemporary leaders, noted Walker. The facilitators that ILDI works with are Indigenous and have decades of experience working directly in the areas of human resources, law, administration and project management—all areas that are needed for capacity building, self-governance, professional development and nation building. “Our facilitators want to give back to their communities, to contribute to the success of our people, to share best practices, lessons learned, knowledge and experience that they have acquired throughout their careers,” said Walker. ILDI training offers many course titles, such as Governance Requisites for Leaders, Strategic Planning, Mediation, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Board Training, How Government Works and the Online E-Learning Canadian Indigenous Culture Training: Truth and Reconciliation Edition. After its first decade of operation, ILDI noticed that something was missing: a broader, global approach to Indigenous community development. In 2010, they partnered with the World Business Forum (WBF) in New York City and launched
the first-ever World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF). Since then, WIBF has held events in the USA, Canada, Australia, Namibia, Guatemala, Santiago de Chile and New Zealand. The forum is developed by Indigenous Peoples leading Indigenous organizations, staff and partners, but open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous entrepreneurs, companies and individuals. The event has attracted close to a thousand Indigenous business people every year since 2010. With the overwhelming success of the WIBF and the business partnerships
engagement, mentorship and workshops— all customized to meet the needs of communities, from education and conflict resolution to governance, accountability and intergovernmental relations. “We are doing everything we can to deliver programs online, to provide advancement and leadership tools, and to do it in a cost efficient manner to help communities stretch their training dollars,” said Walker. “In spite of challenges, including underfunding, Indigenous communities have continued to grow and govern themselves.
“We have a personal stake in our people doing well. We have community knowledge; we live our roots, our culture, our teachings.”
- ILDI President and CEO, Rosa Walker formed at the event, the World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN) protocol was signed by international Indigenous leaders in Guatemala, Chile, Canada, USA, Namibia, Australia and New Zealand. This created an online community that helps to connect, inspire and mobilize organizations and entrepreneurs for the sustainable development of Indigenous businesses, providing opportunities to widen markets, skip intermediaries and build Indigenous prosperity through economic growth. The current global pandemic is the biggest challenge ILDI has encountered in its 20-year history as a leader in training and skill development, noted Walker. To meet the challenges of this COVID-19 world, ILDI has changed the way it is meeting community needs by continuing to develop online programming, training,
We’ve worked across Canada with First Nations, Inuit and Métis People. It’s growing and it’s remarkable to see.” The ILDI Board of Directors is made up of volunteers; its members embody decades of leadership and commitment as chiefs, elected officials, band councillors, ministers, board chairs, CEOs, senior advisors and lawyers. The current ILDI Board includes Andrew Carrier, Debbie Burka, Irene Linklater, Ivan Makil, Milton Tootoosis and Chief Dennis Meeches. ILDI acknowledges the contributions of past Board Members Ted Fontaine, Dan Highway, Alan Luby, and former staff members Georgina Liberty, Barb Moran and Barb Hambleton.
For more information on ILDI, visit ildii.ca. BUSINESS | 11
LEADERSHIP
Valuing Indigenous Inclusion in Corporate Leadership
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by Terra Kerani MacPhail
renda LaRose exemplifies Indigenous business success. She has paved the way for so many others to prosper and to create opportunities for meaningful change, diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of corporate leadership. At SAY Magazine, it is our mission to celebrate successful Indigenous entrepreneurs, like LaRose, who are making a positive difference in our communities. In sharing real-life stories like hers, our hope is that others will see how they too can contribute to the economic wellbeing of their local communities and the economic reconciliation movement as a whole. LaRose is a pioneer in the diversity movement, an entrepreneur and visionary, with over 25 years of experience in the field of executive search. She places highly qualified and educated Indigenous professionals at the tables of corporate boards of multinational corporations and crown corporations, and helps to appoint independent board members to Indigenous corporations.
“We have no lack of talented, executive Indigenous professionals to fill these positions,” said LaRose. “We need Indigenous voices at the highest level of decision-making in business. And having Indigenous perspectives and insights at the board table is how we do it.” As of January 1, 2020, the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) requires all federally incorporated public companies 12 | BUSINESS
Photo credit: Darcy Finley Photography
As an entrepreneur and the national head of the Diversity and Indigenous Board practice at Leaders International Executive Search, LaRose’s personal mission and purpose is to uplift and engage Indigenous Peoples in every aspect of decision-making. Her expertise in business and strong knowledge of good governance practices enable her to work closely with boards and executive teams to assess their particular needs and find the right leaders to contribute to organizations’ strategic plans.
LEADERSHIP
in Canada to disclose diversity in their workplace, including gender, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities and people with disabilities. LaRose confirmed, “There is no shortage of opportunities for Indigenous people to sit on corporate boards; the only missing element is the opportunity to sit on those boards.” LaRose is a Métis Anishinaabe citizen, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Like many Métis people born and raised in the Canadian Prairies, she was not born into wealth. She attributes to this hardship the ability to be resilient in the face of difficulty. Resilience is a core principle of Indigenous Peoples, and she exemplifies this through her persistent dedication to uplifting others. LaRose has always balanced her professional life with her family life as a wife, mother and grandmother. She cares for her family rooted in her Métis and Anishinaabe culture and heritage. Among her many honours, LaRose was awarded the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Lifetime
FPAC_ind_youth_7.375X4.75"_FIN_OUT_se15.indd 1
Achievement Award in 2019 and the national Indspire Award for Business and Commerce in 2015. She is actively engaged on several boards and has written
We need Indigenous voices at the highest level of decisionmaking in business and having Indigenous perspectives and insights at the board table is how we do it. - Brenda LaRose for publications, such as the National Institute of Corporate Directors Journal and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce blog. Her message to corporate boards and leaders is simple: “There are many
Indigenous executives who can add significant value and insight to your board, and will provide a competitive advantage to your organization.” “Indigenous People are natural storytellers. One piece of advice I can give our community members who are looking to advance their careers is that you have to articulate your accomplishments in a story. When given the opportunity, you need to clearly define the strengths that you will bring to that board or organization,” advised LaRose. “That is what they need to hear to identify the value you will bring.” Diversity and inclusion are currently at the forefront of business, and now is the time to partner with Indigenous Peoples, as well as Black people and other people of colour, to engage and make space at the boardroom table for a variety of voices and views. Terra Kerani MacPhail (Métis) is a content creator and strategist. She can be reached with story ideas at terra@saymag.com.
2020-09-15 9:01 AM BUSINESS | 13
BUSINESS PROFILE
Mr. Bannock
Bringing Indigenous Cuisine to the Streets of Vancouver
Hailing from Canada’s West Coast, Paul Natrall owns and operates Mr. Bannock, Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck and catering business. Recognized by the British Columbia Achievement Foundation as Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, Natrall shares his passion for Indigenous-fusion cuisine with others by contributing to his community as a director with the Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations (ICAN). This entrepreneur classically trained in French cuisine at Vancouver Community College, where he hopes to soon mentor other aspiring chefs.
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he past seven months have been difficult for most small businesses in Canada and across the globe. In the midst of COVID-19, a temporary closing forced Natrall to get creative, all while he and his wife home-schooled their seven children. He kept active by maintaining an online presence with Instagram, participated in a cook-off with ICAN, and worked for Vice, BuzzFeed and Tito’s Vodka. During this time, ICAN also sponsored 50 boxed meals for small families in Natrall’s community of Squamish First Nation. This fall, Natrall plans to fundraise to be able to provide another round of meals for families—a feast box—to celebrate winter solstice and Christmas.
under some great chefs, learned a lot and raised expectations.
SAY Magazine caught up with Natrall to find out a little more about his culinary journey thus far. Check out the Q&A below for all the details.
SAY: What signature dish are you known for? Natrall: Bannock waffles! Smoked chicken and bannock waffles. We’ve had tourists from all over come to try them, from Britain to New York. This year, I’m introducing the DBK, a spin on the BLT: smoked duck, five-spice bacon and kim chi on fried bread with house-made Korean barbecue sauce.
SAY: What inspired you to be a chef? Natrall: My dad passed away when I was young, and it was my grandmother who took care of my sisters and me. Grandmother cooked for us; she cooked for all the family. Food brought the family together. SAY: Why a food truck? Natrall: A food truck has less overhead than a normal restaurant. The ability to move allows us to serve more people in a wider area. SAY: Is there a secret to your success? What words of advice can you share with the next generation? Natrall: Show up. Work hard. Hustle and determination got me here. I mentored 14 | BUSINESS
SAY: Is there anything that stands out from your journey that has helped you to develop your culinary style? Natrall: When I was younger, I was a picky eater. While I was training, chefs would tell me, “You don’t have to like it, but you have to eat it.” We had to get to know flavour profiles. In 2012, we were practicing for the culinary Olympics. I had to make a broth and process using salmon. I removed all the scales, bones and head. The cheeks, eyeballs and head went into the broth, and I ate it. I won’t say that I liked it, but I ate it, and I was proud of it. That experience stands out in my mind and has certainly helped me develop as a chef.
SAY: Are you looking to expand your business? Natrall: When I started this three years ago, I had dreams of multiple locations. Right now, we are working on a franchise model for early 2021.
Feeling inspired? Keep reading for a delicious recipe from Mr. Bannock that you can make at home.
FOOD
A goal of Mr. Bannock is to reinvigorate Indigenous food culture. Natrall does this by focusing on Indigenous cooking methods, such as smoking meats, clay and stone baking, and cooking without oil; getting back to ancestral roots and ancient ways of cooking. Here, Natrall shares an Indigenous spaghetti squash dish that is really easy to make at home. Made with wholesome fresh ingredients, it is healthy and tasty. Enjoy!
Spaghetti Squash Salad
Serves: 2-4
with black bean rotini pasta, cilantro and sun-dried cherries INGREDIENTS
1 large spaghetti squash ½ cup cooked black bean rotini pasta 1 medium red onion 1 beetroot 1 green pepper (chopped) 1 medium parsnip ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes ⅓ cup sunflower seeds 1 lime (cut into wedges) ½ cup chopped cilantro
STEPS
Day before: Pickle whole veggies overnight by placing beet, parsnip and onion in vinegar, making sure they are fully immersed. 1. Preheat the oven to 400 °F. 2. Slice squash in half, lengthwise, and remove the fibrous strings and seeds. Season with rosemary, salt and pepper. Bake face up on a cookie sheet for 30-40 minutes.
3. While the spaghetti squash is baking, slice pickled veggies; red onions, beets and parsnips. 4. Once spaghetti squash is cooked (soft when poked with a fork), use a fork to scrape the squash flesh into a bowl to create fine noodles. 5. Cook the black bean rotini pasta in boiling water for 3 minutes. 6. Mix all ingredients by hand, adding the pasta last. 7. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. 8. Squeeze lime for acidity. 9. Garnish with cilantro.
Are you a chef or seasoned home cook? Do you have a recipe that you would like to share with SAY Magazine? Submit your culinary ideas and a short bio about yourself to editor@saymag.com. BUSINESS | 15
SUBMISSION
Indigenous Culture Is Essential to Sustainable Business Relationships by Lionel Drouin
"I would like to dedicate the following article to my Elder and my friend, Grandfather Claude Carriere, and to Dana Zilic, who shaped my life profoundly with their good intent and wisdom."
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Lionel Drouin is a member of the Red Sky Métis from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and is president of LDC Solutions Inc.
ach day that we wake up and open our eyes, we receive the greatest gift—another day of life. All we can do is give thanks and ask that we be given what we need for that day. Not what we want, but what we need. Throughout my life, I have adapted and life has molded me. I have enjoyed many interesting paths that have all, undoubtedly, led me to this very moment, sharing my story with you. Twenty years ago, through genealogy, I discovered my grandparents were Indigenous, but they had taken that secret to the grave. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what being Indigenous means to me—what does it look like, feel like? So I immersed myself in the culture, the history and the current conditions that exist. I became involved in ceremony, took on ceremonial roles, and received many wonderful teachings that finally made sense to my spirit and fit very well in my personal life. The challenge I faced, however, was the duality between my professional life in engineering and project management, and my personal life. On a personal level, I was gaining a new view of the world that had
16 | BUSINESS
been previously denied. This new way of life made me feel more real and complete. This led me to think about how Indigenous culture needs to play a larger role in business. Ten years ago, specific moments in my career brought about a change that led me to start a recruiting company. In human resources, I soon realized that there are growing labour shortages, and the Indigenous community could provide a unique solution to Corporate Canada’s needs for a capable workforce. I also realized the current models of inclusion were often driven solely by headcount, and that is never sustainable. This provided a real opportunity to work towards a government and corporate paradigm shift. This also helped to unite my personal and business identity into one, have a more holistic way of being and help to bridge cultures. Reconciliation has three pillars: social, economic, and legal. If the only pillar achieved is social, the change will be temporary and superficial. My business is involved with the federal government
contract procurement process. So I can say that the winds of change are moving, but it is not holistic, yet, although I still believe it is possible. I have seen the need for change in certain areas of government, Corrections and Child Welfare for example, but I have also seen agencies like the Canadian Border Services Agency that are actively making change and taking action on reconciliation by training and educating staff on Indigenous issues. I was once told by a mentor that learning is defined as a relatively permanent change of behaviour. There is still much work to be done to change embedded views in government, to embrace a sustainable approach, develop relationships and find a new way of being. We, as Indigenous Peoples of this land, have to take action to facilitate that behavioural change. The change will only come through our participation, persistence and perseverance. Fortunately, history has shown that these are natural qualities in our people. Together we can do it. Chi Meegwich.
Last Post Fund
Indigenous Veterans Initiative Over
12,000
Indigenous Peoples have served in the Canadian Armed Forces
I
ndigenous members of the Canadian Armed Forces have overcome insurmountable barriers to serve: travelling far from their homes to enlist, overcoming cultural and language barriers, and even giving up their names in favour of anglicized names as the assimilation measures of the time dictated. The years have come and gone, and the memory of these self-sacrificing veterans is being lost. In keeping with the spirit of the ongoing reconciliation process and to honour the legacy of Indigenous veterans, the Last Post Fund launched the Indigenous veterans Initiative (IVI) in March 2019 to commemorate and honour those Indigenous veterans who may have been forgotten, to place a marker on unmarked veterans’ graves, and to inscribe the traditional names of veterans. Thanks to Researcher Yann Castlenot’s list of over 12,000 names of Indigenous veterans in Canada, IVI has already identified 68 Indigenous veterans’ graves
and placed 36 headstones, many engraved with their Nation’s symbol or an eagle, while some families opted for the Christian cross. Many of these were in Quebec, honouring Anishinabeg veterans, among them Ajawajawesi, known as Gabriel Commanda, one of the founders of Val d’Or, Québec and a WWI veteran. In addition, traditional names have been inscribed in Algonquin, Inuktitut, Interior Salishan, and Saulteaux. Thanks to the efforts of a special Métis veterans research project in Alberta, spearheaded by Researcher Bobbi Foulds, the first headstone with the Métis symbol was installed in Lloydminster, for WWI Métis veteran George Loyie. The Last Post Fund is grateful for the support of veterans Affairs Canada and the growing community of volunteer researchers. If you want to be a researcher, or if you or a family member are a Veteran and you would like more information, you are invited to contact the Indigenous veterans Initiative Program Coordinator Maria Trujillo by email at mtrujillo@lastpost.ca or by phone: 1-800-465-7113 ext: 222.
BUSINESS | 17
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Embracing a Career in Human Resources by Terra Kerani MacPhail
SAY Magazine had the chance to catch up with whirlwind wonder Krystal Abotossaway, a human resources professional in the finance industry. Abotossaway is also the President of the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada (IPAC). Abotossaway’s ambition and drive to serve her mission of diversity and inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in the workplace was palpable during the interview. We hope you enjoy hearing about her journey to success. SAY: Where did you grow up and how did that influence the life you live now? Abotossaway: I was born in Toronto, Ontario (Canada), and then moved to Orillia, Ontario, close to Rama [Chippewas of Rama Mnjikaning First Nation] where my mom and grandma are from. But I spent many summers in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island where my father and grandfather are from. Growing up the way I did allowed me to experience life in and out of the community. I am fortunate to have a broad perspective. SAY: How did you get drawn to the world of finance and human resources? Abotossaway: Many of my Indigenous peers who work in finance all just kind of fell into it, and my story is similar. I didn’t have any relatives or role models that were in finance or banking. When I was younger and considering a career, my thoughts revolved around working at the casino in Rama. I thought I might either be a blackjack dealer like my grandma or work in HR at the casino. I really couldn’t envision what else I could do until I went to university. SAY: Tell us more! Abotossaway: As a kid, I recall going door-to-door selling chocolate-covered almonds as a community fundraiser. What I learned through that experience is that I am a great salesperson. I always sold the most even though I was one of the young18 | BUSINESS
est kids. I have also always enjoyed working with people. At a young age, I learned how to talk to people and how to work around their resistance to buying. Bringing a smile and positive energy to everything I did really made a difference. A lot of the skills I learned as a youth, I still use today in my work.
Seek out ways to engage with professionals in your field. Think outside the box, get uncomfortable, and reach out because there are people in your corner that want to help you.
SAY: What or who finally influenced you to take the leap into HR? Abotossaway: My grandfather was really instrumental in helping me think about what a career in Human Resources might be like. He basically sold me on the idea of how I could bring my sales and acting skills together into a tremendous opportunity. He knew that I aspired to be an actress, so he was really brilliant in reframing things for me, suggesting my acting experience would benefit me in other ways. My grandfather knew that in HR you have to play
many roles, both representing the company but also working with the people. It was a very romanticized way of talking about the career, but it worked! SAY: So what did you study in postsecondary? Abotossaway: I enrolled in an honours undergraduate degree in Human Resources at York University. I was super excited when I enrolled and then when I got there, I was very overwhelmed because the culture
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
met at that one event are still some of my really good friends today. I believe it is so important to make the time to attend these types of events to grow your network. SAY: What three words would you use to describe yourself that contributed to your success? Abotossaway: Eager. Innovative. Resilient. In school, I would volunteer for things I didn’t even really know how to do, but then I would find people to help me and I would get it done. I would work after hours, and do extra work to show initiative. I would innovate processes and create new tools that would make work easier. And all this paid off! I was offered a fulltime job when I graduated because I was able to make a name for myself and build a personal brand. I started full-time work right after my last exam! SAY: What advice do you have for Indigenous youth thinking of the banking and finance industry as a career path? Abotossaway: I feel that COVID-19 has had a positive impact on the opportunities available for people to work anywhere, and remotely. So it is possible to get a job in Toronto but work from your home community. I feel the barriers are less now more than ever. Key advice: Stay connected to the Indigenous community. Build your network. Seek out ways to engage with professionals in your field. Think outside the box, get uncomfortable, and reach out because there are people in your corner who want to help you. If any youth want to reach out to me to ask questions, you can find me @kabatoss on all social media platforms. was very diverse. The whole experience seemed big and daunting. I remember being so stressed and nervous, but then I got an email to come to a community potluck on campus—I went, met some great people, and my stress started to melt away. SAY: How did you bridge the gap between your post-secondary education and where you are today in your career? Abotossaway: I did end up taking a summer internship as a bank teller and then
another placement as a personal banking associate. At the end of the summer, the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada (IPAC) held its first leadership forum, and I networked like crazy at that event with people that worked on Bay Street in Toronto. IPAC is all about helping Indigenous Peoples in corporate careers succeed through networking, professional development and leadership. So I volunteer a lot of time to that organization because I believe in its mission. People I
Terra Kerani MacPhail (Métis) is a content creator and strategist. She can be reached with story ideas at terra@saymag.com. BUSINESS | 19
HISTORY
Photos courtesy of Inhabit Media Inc.
The Untold Relocation Story Larry Audlaluk was born in Uugaqsiuvik, a traditional settlement west of Inujjuak in Northern Quebec, or Nunavik. He was almost three years old when his family was chosen by the Canadian government to be one of seven Inuit families relocated from Nunavik to the High Arctic—Ellesmere Island—in the early 1950s. They were promised a short two-year stay and a land of plenty. They were given an inhospitable polar desert and broken promises. For the first time, Audlaluk tells of loss, illness and his family’s struggle to survive, juxtaposed with excerpts from official reports that conveyed the relocatees’ plight as a successful experiment in his memoir What I Remember, What I Know: The Life of a High Arctic Exile. With refreshing candour and an unbreakable sense of humour, Audlaluk leads the reader through his life as a High Arctic Exile— through broken promises, a decades-long fight to return home, and a life between two worlds as southern culture begins to encroach on Inuit traditions. This memoir tells the untold relocation story (a government experiment) from various points of view and with knowledge gained from experience and countless hours of research combing through reports, memos, meeting minutes and more. This is the story of Audlaluk’s life—a discovery of the reasons for the displacement of the Inujjuarmiut, the people of Inujjuak and what they really lived through. This memoir encompases traditional Inuit knowledge passed down through generations and family history. It is a must-read and an important piece of Canada’s history. Grise Fiord remains the northernmost civilian community in North America, 20 | BUSINESS
and Audlaluk is its longest-living resident. In 2007, Audlaluk was inducted into the Order of Canada for his years of leadership working as an ambassador for the people of Grise Fiord and the High Arctic. A warm and caring individual, he is renowned for his knowledge of the history of the North and for his efforts in preserving and promoting the rich heritage of his region.
Published by Inhabit Media Inc., What I Remember, What I Know: The Life of a High Arctic Exile is now available on InhabitBooks.com.
Inhabit Media Inc. is an Inuit-owned publishing company that aims to promote and preserve the stories, knowledge and talent of Northern Canada.
MUSIC
Brenda MacIntyre Known as Medicine Song Woman, Brenda MacIntyre is a Juno Award-winning artist who has shared her evocative melodic voice and unique healing music with listeners across Turtle Island for over three decades. The Toronto-based singer was nominated for the 2019 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize, and recently reached the CBC Searchlight 2020 Top 100 and the Toronto Star front page headlines. In 1992, one of her reggae singles was featured on Juno Award-winning compilation CD The Gathering (Attic Records, produced by Billy Bryans) and was nominated for a Canadian Reggae Music Award. In 1986, MacIntyre had two births: her first single “Non-Stopping Hip Hopping” in Miami (Moods Records International) and her son Quinn, to whom her latest album Picking Up the Pieces is dedicated. After losing Quinn to gun violence in 2016, Picking Up the Pieces is an album born of MacIntyre’s own grief and trauma, and is designed for healing. The lilting vocals melt over a bed of conscious funky roots and reggae hip hop vibes, with Indigenous hand drumming and a sprinkling of Ojibwe lyrics and vocals blended with English lyrics. MacIntyre was born to be a healer. Adopted at birth, MacIntyre found the Indigenous hand drum later in life, which led to her finding her voice and identity on a spiritual level. Since then, she has helped thousands of women around the world find their voices. As a motivational speaker and wisdomkeeper, MacIntyre offers unique healing. She uses healing energy, spiritual downloads and music to help women whose lives are shifting to create a path of love, hope and possibility. Her music, medicine songs and oracle cards are designed to help women love, trust and express themselves, and awaken to their gifts and inner power. BUSINESS | 21
MUSIC
PaulStar Award-nominated alt-pop/contemporary rocker and producer PaulStar (aka Paul Napash) is set to release his debut album this fall. Find Myself and his latest single “One Last Time” symbolize a new path on his musical journey as he explores and shares long-harboured and unexpressed grief.
“This is the very first song I worked on in the fall last year, and I finished it that winter,” he recalled of “One Last Time.” “It’s about losing a loved one... It took me a few years to grieve for my grandfather. I had no words to express that grief in a song until that fall. From there, I included the others I’ve lost as well.”
“I’m proud of the way I’ve come, but there’s still a lot to accomplish.” Nominated for an International Indigenous Hip-Hop Award for Best Producer & Beatmaker, this engineer, producer and composer helms the record label PaulStar Entertainment and has released a series of critically acclaimed singles; however, Find Myself officially puts Napash on the other side of the desk or stage debuting an EP for his own music. Born and raised in Chisasibi, Quebec, Napash is a proud member of the Eeyou Istchee community. The multi-disciplined Cree artist says he “bathed in music from infancy” thanks to his uncle’s weekly band
22 22 || BUSINESS BUSINESS
rehearsals. At a young age, he quickly gained an understanding of how music has the power to unify a community. At age nine, he picked up a guitar and has never looked back. To gain a better understanding of the music industry, Napash completed the Music Industry Arts program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. The program not only assisted him in navigating the inner workings of the industry, “it really helped me understand my true value as a producer and composer as well”, said Napash. With a new team behind him, PaulStar Entertainment is growing, and when he is not working on developing his own sound, he works to develop a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists signed to his label. A rare hybrid of the music industry, with an identifiable artistic voice and mad production skills, Napash looks forward to a bright future.
MUSIC
Angel Baribeau Non-binary singer-songwriter Angel Baribeau is a flawless performer seasoned with maturity and wisdom beyond their years. An absolute powerhouse vocalist, Baribeau’s voice flows with emotions and an intimate vulnerability that cascades through distinct warm textures and catchy acoustic pop melodies. Originally from the Cree community of Mistissini, Quebec, and now residing in Montreal, Baribeau had an early start to music, heavily influenced by the musicians in their family. Baribeau’s songwriting journey began when they formed their first band, an indie folk duo called Simple Human Tribe. Baribeau quickly gained momentum as a solo artist in 2014 when they were selected to be featured on the first ever compilation album created by N’we Jinan—a travelling music studio program. Eeyou Istchee Volume 1 shot to number one on the iTunes charts the day it was released and received substantial media attention across the nation. Since then, Baribeau has been featured on an array of artists’ tracks and has performed across Canada. Most notable was their performance at We Day Montreal to a crowd of over 2,000 people, and the First Nations Schools First Symposium at the
Musqueam Cultural Centre before the Right Honorable Paul Martin. In July, Baribeau released their debut solo album For Those I Love(d) which hit top three on the Apple Music Pop Canada charts the week of its release. Their debut single “Love Is Up The River” has received over 16,000 streams on Spotify and hit top 10 on the NCI FM National Indigenous Music Countdown hosted by SiriusXM Canada. Their second single titled “Wish We Were Older” was featured in an article from CBC North to celebrate the album release over the summer. Ultimately, Baribeau’s goal is to be a changemaker. “They feel a responsibility to pursue their talent and to create more representation in the music business, recognizing that there are very few people in the industry that look like and identify as they do.
BUSINESS BUSINESS || 23 23
MUSIC
Shylah Ray Sunshine
Algonquin native of Canada, Shylah Ray Sunshine is a multi-talented, awardnominated, influential vocalist, musician, mother and singing coach, known as a wildly authentic performer and entertainer. Sunshine blends neo soul, R&B, reggae, blues and hip hop to create her own distinct sound. Self-taught in vocals, piano, and percussion, she has a keen sense of rhythm and is a student of traditional African drumming.
When she moved to California, she began writing and sharing her music in the Los Angeles area, and soon her music career catapulted to the next level. Sunshine is creative and, as a multi-disciplinary artist, her music is featured in a multitude of films, documentaries, commercials and radio networks. Her talents extend to various platforms, including starring in the classical Broadway musical theatre production Rent, and often appearing on radio and in television
24 | BUSINESS
commercials. Sunshine also created a voice empowerment program, where she offers soul voice singing sessions, singing lessons and songwriting workshops for people of all ages and levels of experience. Her musical projects have fueled a multitude of singles, collaborations, live performances and the recent release of her first full length album Into the Wild. Sunshine continues to inspire audiences everywhere with her gospel-like voice and ultra-moving lyrics. Her hit single “Existence” has achieved placement in dozens of advertisements and was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media award (Best Song with Message/ Social Impact). With her new album, she continues to bring a spirit of positivity, power, and fierce love to the stage and the studio. Her album Into the Wild is available online.
MUSIC
Nancy Sanchez Award-winning bilingual singer-songwriter Nancy Sanchez released her newest album, La Gran Civilización, in the spring. Described as “a musical tour de force unstoppable in any language” by Indie Pulse, this latest EP includes eleven songs featuring a mix of styles that Sanchez calls “MexicanAmerican Art Pop”. A mariachi-inspired collection, La Gran Civilización is Sanchez’ second album to-date and features a collaboration with Grammy-winning all-female mariachi band Flor De Toloache on the song “Puerta Del Sol”, which is currently featured in the Nickelodeon National Hispanic Heritage Month campaign. The album also features collaborations with the all-female mariachi group Mariachi Las Colibrí, mariachi legend Pepe Martinez Jr. and La Voz USA standout Raymundo, among other musical greats. Sanchez is Purepecha, born in Toluca, Mexico, moving to her home in the United States at just three years of age. Her music is a reflection of two cultures with elements of Mexican folkloric, jazz, latin alternative and pop. Sanchez represents a new voice in the world of ranchera music, providing a first-person, woman’s perspective within a historically male-dominated genre. An advocate for human rights, her latest single "The Kids Are Still In Cages", a
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| | | |
PaulStar Nancy Sanchez Shylah Ray Sunshine Angel Baribeau
YouTube-only release, was written to bring awareness of the inhumane treatment of migrant children who have been detained in cages and separated from their families in the United States. Sanchez’ smooth voice details her personal immigration story of moving from Mexico to America at a young age, and juxtaposes the American Dream she has realized with the dashed hopes and dreams of those detained in such harsh conditions. “Nancy surrenders to fusion and protest without abandoning her Mexican Essence,” asserts the L.A. Times. Sanchez is a fresh, smooth voice crying out for change, compassion and equality, a singer-songwriter with bright days on the horizon.
Visit us at IndigenousinMusic.com BUSINESS | 25
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Indigenous Women in Business: My Journey Becoming an Entrepreneur
A
by Michele Young-Crook
s a mother of three, a supportive wife and a friend to many, my schedule is nothing short of berserk. Balancing my personal and professional life has taught me many lessons, whether I wanted to learn them or not. A year ago, I became the president and chief executive officer of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), and with the help of my team, we’ve grown a small organization that solely focuses on Indigenous folks within the trust and investment world to include Indigenous women and youth financial literacy and entrepreneurship. While NATOA was going through growing pains, so was I. 2020 was a whirlwind of a year with extreme highs and lows. During the pandemic, a friend of mine, Teara Fraser, started weekly calls with
inspiring women called the Lift Collective. Every Sunday, I would sit on a call listening to successful Indigenous women entrepreneurs. After a few months, I finally had the confidence to begin my journey as an entrepreneur. MYC Design Inc. was created by turning a hobby [custom jewellery design] into a business. Since launching my company, I realized I needed to learn business development and marketing for it to thrive. However, something that really stuck with me throughout this process was “I need to find a way to give back to Indigenous youth”, which is commonly known as a business with a social enterprise objective. Thankfully, MYC Design Inc. offered me an opportunity to spearhead an initiative where 10% of proceeds go to Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting First
Nations, Inuit and Métis young people. This was a dream come true, invoking my entrepreneurial spirit to soar. Starting a business was the best decision I could’ve made. I gained an immense amount of support and positive feedback that influenced my decision to launch another initiative. This new initiative will consist of gender-neutral Christmas gift boxes from Indigenous-owned and operated companies valued at over $100 for the price of $60. This innovative initiative strives to support five or more Indigenous companies move products they’ve been unable to sell as a result of the current economic halt. Following Christmas, MYC Design Inc. will assemble 100% Indigenousmade speaker gift boxes! My goal is to support an abundance of Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2021, bringing genuine Indigenous gifts to Indigenous events. The female mentors that have taken the time to guide and help me are truly a big part of who I am today. Indigenous female mentors are so significant and play a vital role in growing the Indigenous economy, or, as my dear friend Carol Anne Hilton calls it, “Indigenomics”. My success as an entrepreneur has been because of the leadership and support I’ve received, and I plan to pay that forward by mentoring others when I can. My piece of advice? Network. Don’t let fear consume you, put yourself out there. Join groups or virtual calls to meet new people and show initiative. The universe has a plan for everyone, so please be open to receive what is meant for you.
As CEO & President of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), Michele Young-Crook strives to position NATOA at the centre of excellence trust and investment, as well as prioritize building capacity for Indigenous women and youth. As Anishinaabe/ Bear Clan, Young-Crook is driven by her deep connection to her Indigenous roots despite not being raised in the traditional ways of her ancestors. A born entrepreneur, Young-Crook successfully launched her new business initiative MYC Design Inc. in 2020. 26 | BUSINESS
LITERATURE
Warrior Life: Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence
L
aunched on October 15, Warrior Life is the second collection of writings by renowned lawyer, author, speaker and activist Pamela Palmater. In this publication, Palmater wades through media misinformation and government propaganda to get to the heart of key Indigenous issues often lost in the noise. In keeping with her previous works, numerous op-eds, media commentaries, YouTube videos and podcasts, Palmater addresses empty political promises, ongoing racism,
sexualized genocide, government lawlessness and the lie that is reconciliation—making complex political and legal implications accessible to us all. From one of the most important, inspiring and fearless voices on Indigenous rights, decolonization, Canadian politics, social justice, earth justice and more, Warrior Life is an unflinching critique of the colonial project that is Canada and a rallying cry for Indigenous Peoples and allies alike to forge a path toward a decolonial future through resistance and resurgence.
About the author:
Pamela Palmater is a Mi’kmaw lawyer, professor and chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University. She is also the author of Indigenous Nationhood. Both of her books are published by Fernwood Publishing. Find her publications at fernwoodpublishing.ca and amazon.ca.
Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table
W
ith an expected launch date of December 15, 2020, it is time to increase the visibility, role and responsibility of the emerging modern Indigenous economy and the people involved. This is the foundation for economic reconciliation. This is Indigenomics. Indigenomics lays out the tenets of the emerging Indigenous economy, built around relationships, multigenerational stewardship of resources and care for all. Highlights include: the ongoing
power shift and rise of the modern Indigenous economy; voices of leading Indigenous business leaders; and a new narrative, rooted in the reality on the ground that Indigenous peoples are economic powerhouses.
Igniting the $100 billion Indigenous economy
Indigenomics calls for a new model of development, one that advances Indigenous self-determination, collective well-being and reconciliation. This is vital reading for business leaders and entrepreneurs, Indigenous organizations and nations, governments and policymakers, and economists.
About the author:
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA, is the chief executive officer and founder of The Indigenomics Institute. She is of Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Indigenomics is published by New Society Publishers. Find it at newsociety.com or pre-order your copy from amazon.ca. BUSINESS | 27
LAW & JUSTICE
Trauma-Informed Lawyering:
A Necessary Approach to Advocacy by Myrna McCallum
In a recent survey conducted by SAY Magazine, we discovered that our readers would like to read about relevant legal issues affecting Indigenous Peoples today. We decided to start a new section that will allow respected professionals in this field to share their knowledge. To kick us off, we are proud to present Myrna McCallum, an advocate for trauma-informed lawyering and former Indian Residential School adjudicator.
T
rauma-informed lawyering is a do-no-further-harm, relational approach to the practice of law. It benefits not only clients, but the lawyers and firms supporting them.
became emotional or otherwise hurried them through the process of disclosing traumatic events to me. I re-victimized and re-traumatized people who were already vulnerable, silenced and intimidated by the justice system.
Law school has failed to teach future lawyers about trauma and its impact on our profession. Most, if not all, the clients and witnesses I have met throughout my criminal law practice and in my role as an Indian Residential School adjudicator presented with trauma. Although some of their traumas were connected to their legal issue, most of their traumas came from past events or resulted from intergenerational trauma. This was especially true for Indigenous clients.
I learned the value of patience and empathy a few years into my legal career when I met a little boy who had been harmed. As the prosecutor assigned to his file, I knew I could not harm him any further. The trouble was, I did not know how to prepare him for trial in a way which would help him feel courageous and empowered.
As a new lawyer with a history of childhood sexual abuse and violence, who had experienced both the foster care and Indian Residential School systems, I was not prepared to deal with the pain and suffering of others, as I had not yet done the hard work of addressing my own traumas. When I encountered difficult emotions in clients and witnesses, I did not know how to react or respond. As a result, I often shut people down, walked away, rescheduled their appointments when they 28 | 28 BUSINESS | BUSINESS
Armed with my instincts and the teachings of my great-grandmother, I traveled a long distance to his community so I could get to know him and his parents. By slowing down and actively listening, and meeting this family where they were at, I found a way. I was able to gather the evidence I needed and introduced him to the justice system in a good way. So often, clients and witnesses feel disempowered and dehumanized by legal processes. As lawyers, we need to do better. Regardless of whether a trial succeeds or fails, lawyers must strive to ensure that clients or witnesses feel seen, heard and respected. This is especially true for
Indigenous offenders, victims and witnesses who are often disregarded, demeaned and disenfranchised by the system. Rooted in empathy, humility and relational engagement, trauma-informed lawyering is a critical competency all lawyers need in order to bring credibility to our legal profession and achieve true justice for those who need it.
Myrna McCallum is a Métis-Cree mother and grandmother from Treaty Six territory (Green Lake and Waterhen Lake First Nation). She operates Miyo Pimatisiwin Legal Services in North Vancouver. McCallum practices human rights law, conducts workplace investigations, and coaches and trains law students and lawyers in trauma-informed lawyering. McCallum is the host of “The Trauma-Informed Lawyer” podcast, which is available everywhere you get your podcasts.
FUNDING FOR EMPLOYERS DID YOU KNOW?
JOBS FOR YOUTH
First Nations, First Nations businesses and community-serving non-profits are eligible to receive a 50% Green Jobs wage match to hire local youth.
SINCE 2018, PLT CANADA HAS
FROM MORE THAN
500
INTO PAID GREEN JOBS WORK EXPERIENCES
HELPED TO PLACE
+ YOUTH
80
FIRST NATIONS
Many right in their own communities!
Youth can also access mentorship opportunities, skill-building webinars, mental health services, equipment subsidies, and much more. Learn more: pltcanada.org.
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE SFI-00001
PROJECT LEARNING TREE CANADA
PLT is an initiative of SFI Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
BUSINESS | 29
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