May 2023
Interested in developing or enhancing your entrepreneurship skills but don’t know where to start?
Attend our info sessions. P9
Are you an Indigenous woman interested in launching or scaling a business of your choice?
20 Fellowships, available!
Meet
Teiosakentison Elijah
Blaine Courtney Campbell
Denise Anne Boissoneau
Amanda Grieves
I am an Anishinaabe citizen who honours her Ancestors on Manitoulin Island, connecting to Ketegaunseebee Garden River First Nation in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Mother of three adult children, Nokomis grandmother to four grandchildren.
If you're an Indigenous woman interested in launching a new business or scaling an early-stage startup, consider the National Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs' Ecosystem (NIWEE). As someone who has taken a leap of faith and joined NIWEE without any prior business ownership experience, I can attest to the program's effectiveness. Thanks to NIWEE, I launched my own business, "Boissoneau Indigenous Justice Advisory," which provides advisory services to law firms, justice stakeholders, and other professionals. I was also recently appointed to NIWEE's Board of Directors as the learners' representative.
NIWEE's program platform is built on a mix of Indigenous and Western worldviews, learning methods, coaching, and mentoring. Additionally, it offers Grandmother Moon Fellowships to accepted applicants, meaning the program is delivered for free to recipients (with a small reimbursable application fee - see page 12). As a NIWEE Fellow, you'll receive three hours per week of experiential training, allowing you to work independently on your business while learning. The first two modules are 13 weeks each, and for 36 months, you'll receive: information on opportunities, mentoring, coaching, and free access to resources and events. Plan your coursework around your schedule. By the end of the first two modules, you should have framed your business to meet the proven needs of your customers.
Joining NIWEE as the owner of an early-stage start-up will likely put you in a better position to improve your earnings and the economic well-being of your family, community, and nation. After two modules, you should be able to launch your marketing and sales activities and start earning or increasing your earnings. However, I'm not suggesting that joining NIWEE will automatically land you on "easy street." Instead, much hard, dedicated work will be required from you to achieve business success. But with access to knowledge and experienced business coaches for three years, NIWEE provides a valuable platform to discuss common challenges and barriers in marketing, sales, communication, funding, and more; issues business owners frequently face on their entrepreneurial path. Sometimes, it's about an experienced coach reminding us about the importance of balancing our business and family life, which is another way of helping new business owners manage stress by practicing better time management. This often results in a happier family life with more time to think about smarter ways to deal with your business issues and serve your customers.
If you want to join NIWEE, please register for one of our virtual information sessions. You'll see what NIWEE can offer you, and someone will be available to answer your questions. Please see page 9 and don't wait; any applications received after July 30 will be posted on a waiting list, but we'll review each application as soon as we receive it.
Thank you very much, Chi Miigwech
Denise Anne
NIWEE is designed for women looking to launch a business of their choice or scale their early--stage start-up.
1. Participate in the live, online weekly course as a blend of Indigenous and Western world views, learning methods and mentoring.
2. Access to a one-on-one learning coach.
3. Free access to NIWEE’s Ecosystem
4. If accepted as a recipient of a Grandmother Moon Fellowship, the training program, coaching, and mentorship become available at no cost to you. You will pay a registration fee to be reimbursed when you receive your program certificate of achievement.
5. If accepted into the program, each recipient will have access to thirteen (13) weeks of online business modelling, a three-hour per week course.
6. Foundational to this course is the mix-use of Indigenous and Western world views, learning methods and mentoring.
There are two primary streams to NIWEE.
1. A training and coaching program offered to Indigenous women interested in launching a business or growing their early-stage startups.
2. The second stream is NIWEE’s ecosystem. It’s accessible to Indigenous and non-Indigenous women interested in Business. It brings together investors, educators, innovators, entrepreneurs, corporate partners and allied organizations.
The Ecosystem offers its members a range of emerging markets services, networks and chances to meet like-minded entrepreneurs.
This certificate is proudly presented to Having completed the NIWEE Entrepreneur Program…… NIWEE Chairperson
Cleo Maracle
NIWEE learners have free access to the ecosystem.
Judith Snowfeather NIWEE.ca.
Learning the art of business is a process that requires practice and dedication, much like any other craft or sport. At NIWEE, we value the blend of Indigenous and Western perspectives, using a combination of learning methods and mentoring to enhance your knowledge.
To succeed, you must have the determination to work hard and implement your business idea, while remaining open-minded and adaptable to the needs of your customers. Are you ready for this challenge?
If you are an Indigenous woman aged 17 or older, you may be eligible for the "Grand Mother Moon Fellowship," which will provide support for up to 36 months to launch and scale your business. Over the next four years, we will select 100 deserving candidates to receive this fellowship.
Discover how to efficiently test the fundamental components of your business model to prevent unnecessary expenditure of resources.
By learning to test your business model, you can gather concrete evidence to confirm that you are headed in the right direction. With this evidence, you can make informed decisions, reduce your risks, and rest easier.
If you are interested in gaining fresh perspectives, we invite you to join us.
As a small business owner or someone with an entrepreneurial idea, you may have done some research and put in hard work to make some money.
However, you may feel like the return on investment isn't quite there. Your customers may love your product or service but are hesitant to pay for it. You have big dreams for your business but taking the leap seems too risky. NIWEE is here for you.
Consider joining us for support and guidance.
You are invited to visit our NIWEE website for more details on the program. Go to NIWEE.ca/courses
There are some remarkable women who are embarking on their entrepreneurship journeys, while others have already made significant progress. These women are Indigenous entrepreneurs, founders and advocates dedicated to addressing the needs of overlooked Indigenous community members.
Moreover, they are bringing their unique culture and solutions to the wider market. Through their talent and hard work, these women are carving out a place for themselves, their families, communities, and nations in the economy. Keep an eye on them; they will make waves in the coming years.
Denise Anne, an Anishnaabe citizen, honours her Ancestors on Manitoulin Island, connecting to Ketegaunseebee Garden River First Nation in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Mother of three adult children, Nokomis grandmother to four grandchildren who are learning Indigenous ways of being, knowing, self-sufficiency, and contributing to Canada’s society.
Located in Ottawa, Denise Anne’s business provides Advisory Services to Law Firms, Justice, Stakeholders and other Professionals. She operates under the brand name of Boissoneau Indigenous Justice Advisory. Contact Denise Anne.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-anne-boissoneau/
Meet Blaine, a proud Winnipeg native and devoted mother of five. She's an ambitious entrepreneur who runs her own cleaning business, Blaine’s Custom Services Inc.
With over 40 families already relying on her services, Blaine aims to expand her business into a full-service cleaning corporation. In the future, she hopes to develop a line of cleaning products for retail stores across Canada.
For now, though, she remains dedicated to providing topnotch cleaning services to her customers. Her business philosophy is simple: always serve your customers well and keep a positive attitude.
Contact Blaine at: https://www.blaynesservices.com
She is Teiosakentison, which translates to “Shaking Reeds.” Her last name is Elijah. Back in 2014, she founded and launched a sewing and beading business called Shaking Reeds Designs. She created custom-made Iroquois-style clothing and accessories for men, women and children.
She is from the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, a Wolf clan member. Her business now employs her full-time. She is a mother of three children.
She aspires for her business, “Shaking Reeds Designs,” to leave a unique and impressionable mark in the world of art by promoting cultural pride through her designs. As she focuses on design, she aims to mentor young Indigenous girls looking to learn the unique characteristics of the “Shaking Reeds Designs application.”
Contact mailto:shakingreeddesigns@hotmail.com
Amanda hails from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, also known as Oxford House, MB, and she's the oldest of twelve siblings. She's grateful for her tight-knit family and thanks her parents and grandparents for keeping their unique traditions and language alive in their household.
As an entrepreneur, Amanda creates various items such as earrings, moccasins, mitts, bags, and jingle dresses. However, her real passion is designing ribbon skirts and shirts, which she's been doing for the past four years. Her artwork is heavily influenced by her First Nation's healing process, which she seamlessly blends with her creative practice. Amanda's grandmother was her inspiration, and she followed in her footsteps by cutting her ribbon from fabric and matching each skirt's needs with store-bought stripes.
Amanda's goal is to continue producing skirts and other pieces while also using her artwork to deliver healing workshops. These workshops will allow mothers and children to learn the sacred teachings passed down from their grandmothers about creating ribbon skirts. Contact Amanda at.
http://www.facebook.com/amandalgrieves
By enrolling in the NIWEE program, you will have the opportunity to complete the "Entrepreneurs Course" (13 weeks) and "Ready for Business Course.” (13 Weeks)
After finishing these courses, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement that will provide you with ongoing support from our team of mentors, coaches, and subject matter experts for an additional 30 months.
Furthermore, as the NIWEE Ecosystem expands, you will gain access to business networks, group discussions, webinars, and other useful resources.
The program has been developed through extensive research and consultations across Canada, with contributions from various groups, including the University of Ottawa, an Indigenous Advisory Group, Indigenous women consultants, and the Idea Connector Network.
The program content combines Indigenous and Western world views and is designed to help Indigenous women launch or scale an early-stage start-up to improve their economic well-being and that of their families and communities.
Sandra Schillo University of Ottawa Course Facilitator
Chantal Fraser NIWEE Coach Entrepreneur
To be hired
Denise Anne Boissoneau NIWEE Board Member Fellows’ Representative Entrepreneur
Enter your information to access a virtual open house with the NIWEE team to get your questions answered live.
Note: By Providing your information, you consent to receive special promotional offers from NIWEE and opportunities by phone, text message and e-mail via automated technology from NIWEE.
Join a live online info session to learn more about the NIWEE Online learning and coaching offerings We’ll cover learning objectives, how you’ll benefit and the proposed outcomes. NIWEE.ca
To learn more about applying for a Grandmother Moon Fellowship. Go to page12 of this magazine
NIWEE is currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis and will review them as they are submitted. Those who submit their applications before July 30th will be considered for the September 2023 cohort. However, if you apply after this date, your application will be placed on a waiting list.
You’re an Indigenous woman aged 17 or older and is interested in launching a business or scaling an early-stage business. If so, enrol in the NIWEE Entrepreneurship Training and Coaching program.
To begin, head to NIWEE.ca/GrandmotherMoonFellowships and complete the application form.
Additionally, create a 6 to 8-minute video introducing yourself (refer to page 13 for guidelines) and,
Provide NIWEE with two reference letters demonstrating your resilience. These letters can be from an Elder, an employer (past or present), a schoolteacher, or a customer/business associate if you're already in business.
Once you've filled out the online form and uploaded your video and letters of reference, the NIWEE Selection Committee will conduct a pre-selection of candidates. Your video will be crucial in the selection process, and successful candidates will be invited to a final online selection meeting.
After being accepted as a recipient of a Grandmother Moon Fellowship, NIWEE will send you a Fellowship Community Agreement that outlines our intentions in entering into a collective agreement with you. The agreement includes an opt-out option and consent for video recording, photos, and publishing. To secure your spot, we request that you sign and return the agreement and pay a registration fee of $250. This fee will be reimbursed upon completing modules 1 and 2, and when your certificate of Achievement is issued. Please note that no fees will be returned if neither module is completed.
If you need more info, contact us at Info@NIWEE.ca
Apply now for a Grandmother Moon Fellowship before July 30
– 20 Indigenous women will be selected for the next cohort starting September 2023.
As much as we like movies, your production doesn’t need special effects or a demonstration of technical skills. All that is required is for you to tell us about yourself.
For example, go to Zoom, book your session time, click the link assigned, press recording, and start talking. Here are some of the questions you could talk about
Q.1. Why are you interested in NIWEE? What would you like to get out of your participation in NIWEE?
Q.2. What is your prior business experience? Have you started a business in the past? Are you currently operating one? Do you have experience working for other people’s businesses?
Q.3. Whether you have prior experience or not, what excites you about owning a business?
Q.4. Do you have ideas about the kind of business you might like to own? If you are already in business, please tell us about your business.
Q.5. What are your goals? What does success mean to you? Where do you see yourself in 2030?
Q.6. The NIWEE course itself is three hours per week. To follow the course, you should spend another three hours each week applying what you learn to your business. What are your plans for making sure you have the time available?
Q.7. What else would you like us to know about you?
If you are having problems producing your video – Don’t worry about it. We are looking for entrepreneurs, not movie producers. Prepare your answers for each of the 7 questions.
Drop us an email at Info@NIWEE.ca BEFORE JULY 2ND, and we will book a time to help you with the production.
Don’t let the video stop you from achieving your dream.
If you want to launch a business or scale up your early-stage company. Join us
No need to be alone to build your business dream.
Of course, you‘ll do the work, but we will help you acquire basic business knowledge and provide you with coaching, mentorship, networking and resources for up to 36 months.
All you need is to decide that entrepreneurship is something you want. You are willing to work hard and be dedicated to building and scaling your business.
If you want to achieve such a dream, apply and qualify for a NIWEE Grandmother Moon Fellowship.
NIWEE’s dream is to increase the pool of Indigenous women business owners.
So let’s work together and make it happen. Apply before July 30th 2023. The NIWEE Team
Fire is one of our sacred elements; women are from the first fire.
Artist Doreen Stevens
