Business Voice May / June

DIGITAL ISSUE

Indigenous Businesses

Poised for Growth in Saskatoon and Beyond

Image: Dakota Dunes Hotel Ribbon Cutting.

May/June 2021

Chief Whitecap Trail Business Park ay hw Hi g

Modern and full service infrastructure and amenities to accommodate commercial and light industrial uses on 0.5 AC to 10.0 AC parcels

9 21

99-Year Land Lease | Whitecap Dakota First Nation Excl.

• Simple, flexible, and timely development and zoning approval process (± 14 business days) • More servicing and amenities than any RM of Corman Park development • Taxes and assessments on par with Warman, Martensville and Corman Park • Significantly cheaper taxes than Saskatoon for comparable developments • Lowest cost fully-serviced land within 35 km of Saskatoon • • • • • •

Fully paved business park • Reverse osmosis filtration water system • Expanded water treatment and wastewater facilities Natural gas and 3-phase • power 4G wireless internet Fiber optic telecom

Tom Deibert

Primary weight grade highway with ± 4,400 AADT Ideal for agriculture, horticulture, construction, education and recreation users A quality, economic solution for large land and warehouse users

Cam Bristow

Senior Sales Associate Senior Sales Associate +1 306 281 2673 +1 306 270 7646 tom.deibert@colliers.com cam.bristow@colliers.com

Asking from:

$150 k Per acre Accelerating success.

May/June 2021

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Carla Browne, Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. 1st Vice-Chair, Graham Snell - Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan 2nd Vice-Chair, Colton Wiegers - Wiegers Financial & Benefits Past-Chair, Chris Sicotte - AON Reed Stenhouse CeCe Baptiste, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) Todd A. Denzin, Nutrien Katrina German, KatrinaGerman.com Joseph Gill, McKercher LLP Juan Godinez, ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd. Tara McKeown, Conexus Credit Union Adam McInnes, Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated Sandra Ribeiro, Canadian Light Source Inc. Heather Ryan, Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL) Tanis Taylor, CCA Consulting

STAFF

Jason Aebig, CEO Margot Orr, Director of Policy and Government Relations Terry Lawrence, Business Manager Roz Macala, Office Manager Treena Skaalid, Events Manager Henry Buitrago, Marketing and Communications Manager Pamela Kenny, Member Relations Manager

PRODUCTION

Layout & Design: Henry Buitrago Contributing Writers: Véronique Loewen, Jason Aebig, Carla Browne, Margot Orr

SaskMetis Economic Development Corporation Building (Photo Supplied)

Featured Content 4

Phone: (306) 244-2151 Email: chamber@saskatoonchamber.com Website: www.saskatoonchamber.com On Social Media: @TheChamberYXE

Upcoming Chamber events

20 Cover Story

6 New Members

March - April 2021

BUSINESS VOICE is a publication of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Copyright 2021

Events

11 Members in the News 15 Leadership Profile

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand

18

Non-Profits

CHEP CNIB Gabriel Dumont Institute

Indigenous Businesses

Des Nëdhë Group SMEDCO Whitecap Dakota First Nation

28 Profile Story

SOAR Program

Ernest Plumbing Glassworks 360 IISB Laserology Skin Clinic Stardust Clothing & Accessories SymmetryPR

33 Creating Partnerships 38 Chair’s Message

Disclaimer: BUSINESS VOICE makes no warranties of any kind, written or implied, regarding the contents of this magazine and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of informations contain herein. The views contained in the magazine are those of the writers and advertisers: They do not necessarily reflect the view fo the Business Voice magazine and its publisher the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 3

EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS PROMOTING SPONSORS:

POWER LUNCH STATE OF THE CITY WITH

Mayor Charlie Clark PARTNER SPONSORS:

Thursday, May 20th 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

$15 plus GST • Via Zoom Open to Members and future Members

Featured Speakers

AGM 2021

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 26TH

Honorable Perrin Beatty

4:45 PM - 5:45 PM • VIA ZOOM

Honorable Don Morgan

President & CEO Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Sponsored by:

Minister Responsible for SaskTel

Wednesday, June 2nd VIA ZOOM FREE to attend Open to Members and Future Members 5:15pm

SERIES SPONSOR

Speaker:

Monica Kreuger

President, GLOBAL INFOBROKERS Inc.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 4 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

TO STAY INFORMED OF NEW EVENTS AND DATES

FÕdjù

FROM THE CEO

Widening Our Circle Our Chamber has embarked on a path to promote Indigenous economic reconciliation and the inclusion of Indigenous people in the economic life of our city. We are not alone. Chambers across Canada have embraced their role as leaders and conveners on this front. Locally, many in our business community are responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and working to create real opportunities for Indigenous people to participate in the economy as workers, investors, business owners and entrepreneurs.

The case for Indigenous economic inclusion has never been more clear or urgent.

According to a recent report by the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, the opportunity cost of “doing nothing” will erode Canada’s growth and competitiveness into the future.

Highlighting the economic gap between Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous population in terms of income, education and training, the report concludes: “If all Indigenous people had employment, income, education and poverty rates comparable to that of all Canadians, Canada’s GDP would grow by 1.5% or $27.7 billion.”

Organizations like the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) have suggested the cost of inaction is even higher, closer to $100 billion in lost GDP growth and expansion.

Notwithstanding the hard cost of failing to close these gaps, there is growing recognition that we have a moral responsibility to advance economic reconciliation in a real and meaningful way.

Historically, the economic playing field has been one-sided, working against the participation of Indigenous people. Systems and structures that were designed to exclude Indigenous people from employment, investment and business opportunities are now being re-examined with a renewed focus on inclusion, fairness and shared success. Today, businesses of all kinds are taking stock of their inner workings, and their external relationships, and reflecting on how they can do better.

At the Chamber, we are taking steps to deepen our understanding of Indigenous history, culture and ways of doing business through Indigenous-led development workshops for our board members and staff.

We have partnered with our friends at SREDA to co-promote and deliver its SOAR grant program which provides funding to promising Indigenous entrepreneurs starting or growing their businesses in the Saskatoon region.

We are working closely with the leadership of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce of Saskatchewan (ICCS) to help bring their events, programs and offerings on stream and build for the future.

We are seeking to foster stronger relationships with Indigenous economic development corporations with interests in Saskatoon

Jason Aebig, CEO Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce to explore issues of concern, barriers to success and opportunities that we could help advance or jointly pursue.

We are looking for new ways to spotlight Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs who are growing our local economy by creating jobs, attracting investment and forging partnerships inside and outside our region.

And, this year, we’re introducing a new SABEX Award to recognize businesses and organizations that are working to foster good relations with Indigenous enterprises in our community, and promote economic reconciliation, through community investment, business partnerships and/or procurement.

Learning. Listening. Partnering. Celebrating. These are the early steps we’re taking to widen our circle, promote Indigenous economic inclusion and become a strong ambassador for Reconciliation in our city. We invite you to walk with us.

Jason Aebig, CEO Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 5

NEWSMAKERS

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(March - April 2021)

When we opened our doors in the heart of downtown three years ago, the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce was one of the f irst to welcome us with open arms. As young entrepreneurs we appreciate all the Chamber has to offer; professional advice, networking events & group benef its for our small staff. We feel their unwavering support for their members in many ways. We have catered meals to their beautiful off ice on 4th Avenue, been a part of their Chamber on Tap event and were even nominated for a SABEX award in 2019. Thank you for all that you do, we look forward to being a member for many years to come!

Jenna Dubé, Living Sky Café & MWL Foods

Amra Dedic Realtor - Realty Executives Saskatoon Real estate salesperson.

Amra Dedic

p: (306) 716-2971 Real Estate – Residential Arbour Crest Tree Services Ltd. Established in 2008 and providing horticultural services for residential, commercial, and municipal clients in and around the Saskatoon area. Services: tree care, landscaping, and snow services.

Robin Adair

Box 20 Site 515 RR 5, Saskatoon p: (306) 242-8733 w: www.arbourcrest.com Landscape Services Central Avenue Health Centre Chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and custom orthotics.

Valerie Pankiw

1400 Central Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 651-2225 w: cahc.ca Health Care - Services / Supplies CPM Group Mission: to help businesses to do better business and aim to help companies adapt their marketing, sales, and operation methods to help improve their efficiency.

Ajdin Deumic

132-103 Marquis Crt, Saskatoon p: (306) 978-5388 w: cpmgroups.com Advertising / Public Relations

Destinate Group Bringing together top tourism strategy consultants Canada-wide under one umbrella. Providing opportunities for consultants to work collaboratively to drive value for clients.

Todd Brandt

p: (306) 227-7419 w: www.destinate.ca Consultants - Business AND Home-Based Business Ernest Plumbing, Heating and Full Home Service Services: commercial builds; smaller scale renovations and repairs; residential plumbing, heating, and drainage; domestic gas fitter; and certified boiler operator.

Experience with carpentry, framing, concrete, drywall, roofing, flooring, and more.

Patrick Fleury

p: (306) 292-6379 w: ernestphs.com Plumbing / Heating / Air Conditioning ET Works Canada Ltd. Building and selling the best and most reliable agriculture sprayer in the agriculture industry.

Jos Bastiaansen

3533A Idywyld Dr N, Saskatoon p: (306) 955-4995 w: www.etsprayers.com Agricutural

6 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

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NEW MEMBERS

Glassworks 360 A studio that creates stained glass and fused glass pieces for your home, business or church. Also a teaching studio.

Loretta Brost

p: (306) 202-9630 Retail - Gift & Novelty Innovation Credit Union Credit Union that is based in Saskatchewan and offers digital banking services wherever you are and whenever you need them.

Ally Pilkey / Kyle Reid / Brad Torry

105A-111 Research Dr, Saskatoon p: 1-866-446-7001 w: innovationcu.ca Banks / Credit Unions / Financial Institutions

Kahkewistahaw Economic Management LP Established to develop diversified business opportunities that will create annual revenue to sustain and enhance KFN, and stable, quality employment for its membership.

Mik Cupial

500 Broadway St W, Yorkton p: (306) 696-3291 w: www.kfn72.com Business Development / Information Services LBF Business Consulting Providing a harmonized approach to culture and performance excellence.

Leon Ferguson

255 Beechmont Cres, Saskatoon p: (306) 220-4998 Consultants – Business

NEWSMAKERS

NEW MEMBERS Refreshen Web Design Creating practical, functional, visually appealing web sites that communicate what your business is all about. Other services: website edits, updates and re-designs.

Shannon Westbrook

p: (306) 690-7280 w: www.refreshenweb.ca Internet

Ryan Liberating our clients from the burden of being overtaxed, freeing their capital to invest, grow, and thrive.

Travis Horne

10-345 4th Ave S, Saskatoon p: (306) 517-6511 w: www.Ryan.com/Canada Real Estate – Services

DO BUSINESS WITH

A CHAMBER MEMBER FIRST

(March - April 2021)

Saskatoon ENT Clinic Ear, nose, and throat surgery clinic with access to a full range of diagnostic testing to help in managing a wide range of conditions.

Advanced care of sinus and nasal diseases and skullbase tumours.

Shabir Mia

150-215 Joseph Okemasis Dr, Saskatoon p: (306) 974-2676 w: www.saskatoonent.ca Health Care - Services / Supplies Smokerbroker Holdings Ltd. Canadian distributor of BBQ related products.

254 Robin Cres, Saskatoon p: (306) 242-7070 Accountants / Bookkeepers AND Tax Planning Wow Pizza Saskatoon's newest pizza place. We create delicious pizza, nachos, wings, salads and more. More than 1000 followers, 100's of great reviews and over $1M in sales.

Sanjay Joshi

2462 Dudley St, Saskatoon p: (306) 880-5427 w: www.smokerbroker.ca Distributors Tim Hortons More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the fabric of Canada and a proud symbol of our country and its values.

3203 22nd St W, Saskatoon p: (306) 934-3967 Restaurants

Tony Banik

1402 College Dr, Saskatoon p: (306) 665-6666 w: www.wowpizza.ca Restaurants

Ian Baranesky

Danielle Robson / Kerri Skaalrud

Tony Banik, CPA Prof. Corp.

Public accounting firm providing accounting and tax services.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW MEMBERS

Fast and reliable shipping you can trust. #BeyondSavings

UPS is here for you:

www.membersbenefitprogram.com/SaskatoonCC BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 7

NEWSMAKERS

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“At TCU Place, connecting with the community is at the heart of our business. There is no better way to do that than to be a member of the Chamber. We want to be able to offer support, share in idea creation, and learn f rom the businesses in Saskatoon, and the Chamber offers us the opportunity to do that by connecting with members both socially and professionally. It’s not something we question, we just “do” because it is so integral to our business…kind of like breathing!”

Tammy Sweeney, CEO, TCU Place

9 Mile Legacy Brewing Co. Ltd. ACE Manufacturing Inc. Affordable Parts AgraCity Crop & Nutrition Ltd. Agri Biz Communications Corp Al Anderson's Source For Sports All West Veterinary Clinic Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan Apex Performance Consultants Ltd. Archway Landscaping Ltd. Athabasca Basin Development Atrium Dental Prof. Corp.

Basaraba Services Bazaar Novelty BBK Engineering Saskatoon Ltd. Beverly Cantin Bit Service Company Ltd. Blairmore Media Inc. Braschuk Oilfield BRITEBOX Storage Co. Broadway Theatre Bruce's Cycle Works Budgetcar Inc. Business Furnishings (Sask) Ltd. Calian Canadian Brewhouse (Preston) Canadian Tire Associate Store (Confederation) Canadian Tire Associate Store (Preston) Canteen Saskatoon Canwest Commercial & Land Corporation Carter Holdings Ltd. Catholic Family Services of Saskatoon CBON CBRE Limited Century 21 Fusion

Circle Dr & 8th Street Dental Clip 'N Climb Saskatoon Inc. Co.Labs Combine World Comfort Suites Saskatoon Complete Technologies Concept3 Business Interiors Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd. Crestline Coach Ltd. Curbie Davis Machine Company (1960) Ltd. Della's Music House Display Systems International Donald Physiotherapy Dr. Joanne Bourgault Dental Prof. Corp.

Dr. K. Insley Medical Aesthetics Dr. Myat Tun Lin Nyo Medical Prof.

Corp.

Dr. P. LaBelle Medical P.C. Inc. Dr. SanVicente Medical Prof. Corp.

Dunmac General Contractors Ltd. Eb's Source For Adventure Ebenezer Baptist Church Fab Tech Welding Inc. Family Service Saskatoon Fleet Guide Truck & Trailer Repair Ltd. Full Line Ag Ltd. Fuse Design Inc. Gabriel Dumont Institute General Management Services Ltd. Ghost Transportation Services Gibson Trucking Ltd. Global Gathering Place Global Institute for Food Security Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan Inc. Hardpressed Print Studio Inc

8 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

(March - April 2021)

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MEMBER RENEWALS

HBI Office Plus Inc. Heagy LLP Heart and Stroke Saskatchewan Herb C. Pinder Jr. Heyday Consulting Ltd. Holiday Inn Saskatoon Downtown Human Touch Counselling HX Industrial Control International Minerals Innovation Institute Jack E. Adams CPA PC Inc. Jade Development Corp.

James Frost Luxury Outfitters Janzen Heavy Equipment Repair JDS Building Supply Ltd. Jennifer Bain, B.Comm, CFP, EPC Jesjon Holdings Ltd. Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation Inc. JNE Welding Limited Partnership K. M. Paulson Goldsmith Ltd. K. Sutherland Architect Ltd. K+S Potash Canada Kayton Enterprise Ltd. Kinakin Entertainment L & S Bookkeeping Services Lane Mechanical Inc. Lawrence Finishing Inc. Learning Disabilities Assoc. of Saskatchewan Legacy Homes Ltd. Little Grouse Restaurant Inc. Little Rock Construction Living Sky Café Logia Consulting Inc. Lube Stop Mac & Sons Plumbing & Heating MacDermid Lamarsh

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBER RENEWALS Magnus Construction Services Manestreet Hair Marathon Construction (Sask) Ltd. Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated Meidl Honda - Oakwood Nissan Meridian Development MiEnergy Millennium III - M3 Securities MLT Aikins LLP Montana's Cookhouse Saloon Moon Lake Golf and Country Club Morris Interactive New Community Credit Union Newrock Developments Nomad Mechanical Inc. North Ridge Development Corporation Northern Factory Workwear One Stop Property Maintenance Outbound Distribution Inc. Pally Performance Products Penney Murphy and Associates Pet Planet (University Heights) PGI Printers Pinnacle Distribution Saskatoon PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Quality Cutting Tools Inc. Ray's Moving & Storage Co. Ltd. Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. Reed Security Regan Meier

Remai Modern Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan Resident Doctors of Saskatchewan Riversdale Business Improvement District Riviera Motor Inn Robertson Stromberg LLP Ryde YXE Cycle Studio S & S Delivery Service Ltd. Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Saskatoon Opera Saskatoon Oral Surgery Saskatoon StarPhoenix Saskatoon Youth for Christ SaskEnergy Inc. SaskTel Centre Scotia Wealth Management Scotiabank Service Canada Shakespeare On The Saskatchewan Festival Inc. Shoeless Joes Sports Grill SleepWell Consulting Inc. SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.

(March - April 2021)

Snap Fitness Saskatoon Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Spring River Holding Steelmet Supply Sterling Homes Ltd. Stewart, Gee & Murray CPA LLP Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Community Strong Roots Consulting Stuart Commercial Taverna Italian Kitchen TCU Financial Group The Gallery / art placement inc.

The Pot Shack The Princess Shop Three Farmers Timeline Logistic Travel Masters Saskatoon Vecima Networks Inc. Verolingo Communications Virtex Grain Exchange Ltd. WEED MAN West-Central Machine Ltd. Western Carpet One Western Development Museum WINTERSTEIGER World of Spas

BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 9

FACT

92% OF PEOPLE STAY WITH THEIR CURRENT JOB BECAUSE OF A PENSION PLAN. Help your employees save at work.

Join the Wealthcare Revolution.

SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021 10 BUSINESSVOICE VISIT US saskpension.com/business

TOLL-FREE

1 (800) 667-7153

CALL

1 (306) 249-0047

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Champêtre County

Travel back in time to the Wild West!

This hidden gem of the prairies has been in business for over 25 years and prides itself on being a family run operation.

Although Covid-19 remains an obstacle to the tourism industry, Champêtre County continues to offer Saskatoonians the opportunity to safely Get Outside!

Champêtre County recognizes the importance of staying, and supporting local this year

more than ever, and as such is excited to be partnering with other local businesses to provide collaborative staycation packages our province has never experienced before.

From Backyard Adventures & Pitchfork Steak Fondue Nights to Overnight Staycations and Corporate Retreats we do it all.

Thinking ahead? Why not Experience Champêtre County this summer! www.champetrecounty.com

Clip ‘n Climb Saskatoon

Colliers International

Last year Colliers celebrated its 110th anniversary in Saskatchewan and has continued playing a lead role in accelerating the success of its clients. Adapting to new ways of doing business became a passion for us over the past year. A new service line; client-focused webinars; data-driven market updates and reports; community support and engagement; serving as the solutions-

minded interface between landlords, tenants, investors, government stakeholders and our international colleagues; staying strong as a team; a steady voice and a safe pair of hands.

We remain committed to the growth of the communities we live in and the success of the clients we serve. https://www.collierscanada.com/en-ca/ canada/cities/saskatoon

“Healthy, challenging fun for everyone” is our motto and we have upheld this ideal through these troubled times. We were thrilled to reopen last summer after a brief pause. Using biosecurity principles, we altered our procedures to ensure guests and staff stay safe without compromising fun.

With our cohort bookings, controlled crowd flow, enhanced cleaning protocols, and large spaces to physically distance (right, left and straight up!), climbers of all ages can exercise and play safely. We are proud to continue to provide options such as climbing camps and classes, drop-in climbs, birthday/staff parties, and private arena rentals. www.cncyxe.ca

SUBMIT YOUR STORIES TO: bv@saskatoonchamber.com

BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 11

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

International Road Dynamics (IRD)

Crestline Coach

Demers Braun Crestline (DBC), a subsidiary of Demers Braun Ambulance manufacturer, announced that it recently acquired Medix Specialty Vehicles, a full line final stage ambulance manufacturer headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana.

Crestline Coach, firmly planted in Saskatoon for 46 years, is a global leader in ambulance and specialty vehicle manufacturing, and a Canadian distributor of small to mid-sized commercial buses.

In 2018, Crestline joined forces with two distinct brands, Demers Ambulances and Braun Industries, forming the second-largest ambulance manufacturing organization in North America. DBC is recognized for its leadership in innovative design and quality products with more than 150 years of combined history serving the emergency response market worldwide.

Through this transformational transaction, DBC further strengthens its position among the leading global ambulance manufacturers, now employing over 1140 talented individuals across 12 different production and service center sites in Canada and the United States. www.crestlinecoach.com

IRD has been a leader in the Intelligent Transportation Systems industry for over 40 years. From Saskatoon, we support hundreds of high-tech truck weighing and traffic data systems worldwide with software solutions, remote support, and on-site maintenance. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the essential industries that have continued to provide excellent service during this difficult time, enabling IRD to maintain high levels of support for our customers.

Under new President and CEO, Rish Malhotra, IRD is pursuing strategic acquisitions that will position IRD as a top-ranked traffic and smart city technology company. Our vision is to deploy technology that ensures safe and efficient travel on all roadways worldwide.

Visit our website and watch us grow! www.irdinc.com

Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown We are excited to announce our 17-milliondollar renovation.

This beautiful downtown property has undergone a complete transformation of all guest rooms and public spaces. Hotel additions include a newly created 1,400 sq.ft. fitness centre and The Grind Coffee Bar serving fresh Starbucks coffee, perfectly located in the lobby. Now’s the time to visit

12 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

Aroma Restaurant after reopening with a stunning must-see renovation.

The hotel waterpark and new 3 story waterslide has been renovated and is the perfect staycation stop for families and couples. Stay with confidence and experience the new Delta Saskatoon Downtown. www.marriott.com/yxeds

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS Reed Security

Reed Security recently celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary. Twenty years ago we had no clients and built relationships one at a time.

Today we protect about 1,500 businesses and about 3,500 homes. We are THE local security provider you can trust and focus on giving great experiences. Our People truly care about our clients and the solutions we provide. To celebrate our 20th birthday we launched our REEDHD™ ColorVu Cameras.

These cameras are a gamechanger and see in color 24/7. www.reedsecurity.com

SREDA Riide

Riide Taxi has been proud to serve Saskatoon as a locally owned and operated provider of transportation services for 49 years. Spanning two family generations, a deep rooted passion lies at the core of its operations through a commitment to safety and servicing our community. As the largest fleet in Saskatchewan, Riide employs nearly 250 operators and administrative staff.

Throughout the pandemic, Riide has continually operated to ensure our community has a dependable and reliant provider for essential services and to those who do not have their own means of transportation. The Riide mobile app has made bookings and

tracking of vehicles a breeze for our customers.

Prestige Car Service is a division of Riide which features a luxury black car fleet and a variety of buses, vans and accessible options to accommodate individual and group needs on a chartered basis. We serve our diverse clientele with customized and catered attention to detail and personalized service based on their unique needs.

We are thankful to routinely give back though the various community organizations we have been involved with over the years and will continue to support these meaningful local causes. www.riide.ca | www.prestigecar.ca

Focus Friday: The pursuit of productivity (and magic).

Times change. The Monday to Friday, “9 to 5” model is based on an idea from the industrial revolution, when productivity was about working longer and harder. Today, you need productivity and creativity to succeed.

With COVID changing so much about work, SREDA introduced something I had been mulling over for a while: Focus Fridays.

On Fridays, we limit internal meetings and emails, allowing time for flow and focus (on professional and personal priorities).

By bettering ourselves as individuals, we’re making a better team and therefore a better, more productive SREDA. Learn more here: www.SREDA.com

BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 13

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14 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

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LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Mark Arcand Focused on Changing Systems

By Véronique Loewen From his early years as a culture and recreation worker at the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Tribal Chief Mark Arcand’s passion is to help people succeed in life and come out of poverty. Whether he is helping youth through sports and scholarships or assisting individuals in precarious situations, he uses a two-pronged approach. First, dealing with the immediate needs to address relatives’ safety and well-being (Chief Arcand refers to Indigenous community members as relatives, to acknowledge everyone’s interconnectedness) and second, finding ways to change systems that do not adequately address ongoing issues.

Chief Arcand joined the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) as Tribal Vice Chief in 2013 and was first elected as Tribal Chief in 2017 and again this past October 2020 for a fouryear mandate. Located on treaty six territory, STC includes seven member nations – Kinistin Saulteaux, Mistawasis, Muskeg Lake, Muskoday, One Arrow, Whitecap Dakota and Yellow Quill – about 11,000 Cree, Saulteaux and Dakota/Sioux people in a region covering 30,000 acres of reserve land within a 200km radius of Saskatoon. In Saskatoon, STC employs over 250 people, providing a wide range of services and programs, including economic and workforce development, community health, early childhood learning, housing, recreation, and justice initiatives.

High on Chief Arcand’s mind these days is the physical and mental well-being of Indigenous people during the pandemic.

This is one of the reasons STC opened a COVID-19 immunization centre. “The centre is for everyone, Indigenous people and others, any one is welcome to book their vaccination time on our website,” explains Chief Arcand.

Indeed, Chief Arcand leads his organization on many fronts, and one of STC’s latest program tops his priority list today. The Saweyihtotan Project, as its Cree namesake indicates is meant to “bless each other by showing respect for each other” by helping individuals in precarious situations in the streets of Saskatoon. The project spearheaded by STC for and by Indigenous people, is funded in part by the Government of Saskatchewan, the City of Saskatoon and STC. It is supported by partners including the Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Fire Department, several community-based service providers and business groups. “This program is meant to help as many people as we can get off the streets and in better situations. It addresses homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental health and so many issues these people deal with everyday,” says Chief Arcand.

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand with issues. This program helps save lives by getting people off the streets, especially on cold nights, and helps save businesses.”

With a team of a dozen people, in four months since its start, Saweyihtotan already had 477 interactions with individuals in Saskatoon’s core, including 69 resulting in housing. It is helping people with trauma in a respectful, holistic, and culturally sensitive way. Chief Arcand adds, “although 77% of the people we assisted are First Nations, we don’t discriminate. We help whoever needs help regardless of their ethnicity.”

“Being on the streets is not good for our relatives, and it doesn’t look good for our “Now we want to build stronger city. The pandemic made things worse. For relationships with the business community. businesses already hit hard, it doesn’t help Together we can change inadequate systems when people are scared to come downtown to address underlying issues rather than because there are too many homeless people be heavy handed. We can help people get healthier for the benefit of everyone. We need Now we want to build stronger relationships business partners to support and advocate with the business community. Together for Saweyihtotan. And we need to celebrate we can change inadequate systems to successes together,” concludes Chief Arcand.

address underlying issues rather than be heavy handed.

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand

“

“

He is also concerned about First Nation children and helping them be successful as they grow up. “We want to look after our children who are in government care,” says Chief Arcand. “We signed the first agreement between the provincial government and a tribal council to get First Nation children out of the foster care and care homes system and back into their communities with relatives who can teach them about their culture and help them learn to be productive members of the community.”

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MAY / JUNE 2021 15

JOIN US IN CAMARADERIE, CELEBRATION, AND TO STRENGTHEN PROSPERITY WE SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

25th Annual Raj Manek Memorial Banquet Featuring Keynote Speaker

Dr. Angus Reid

CEO, Angus Reid Institute Thursday, September 16, 2021 5:30pm - 9:30pm Prairieland Park FOR TICKETS PLEASE VISIT: manekmentorship.com/networking-events/

The Raj Manek Business Mentorship Program provides: 1. One-on-one mentorship with an experienced mentor whose skill sets compliment your targeted areas of improvement.

2. Monthly seminars on topics of interest create an environment where participants can feel comfortable asking questions.

3. Technical advisors available one-on-one in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Legal, Sales, and Strategic Planning.

4. Program affiliations to access databases and resources from other programs including PCensus, Reference Canada, Hoovers, iSell, Kompass.

5. Access to RMMP databases including e-Statement Studies, First Research, and Profit Driver.

6. Peer-to-peer mentorship service where business owners can congregate and share their thoughts, ideas, and jointly solve problems with the guidance of a technical expert.

7. Networking opportunities.

This relationship is an interactive sharing environment which results in an enriching, mutual learning experience.

info@manekmentorship.com • Ph. 780.758.1189 • manekmentorship.com 16 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

75 years of supporting Saskatchewan, and we’re just getting started

As we look toward the future, our team at Saskatchewan Blue Cross, is f illed with both gratitude and excitement.

Gratitude for a rich 75-year history in our province. Saskatchewan Blue Cross has had the honour of serving the residents of Saskatchewan since 1946. When we first opened our doors as a not-for-profit organization, we were just seven doctors who saw a better path – we wanted people to have more equal access to essential health care services. Fast forward to today, and we’ve helped to lay the foundations for health insurance in Saskatchewan and now proudly support more than 200,000 people and more than 1,200 employers access health, wellness and travel insurance that provides peace of mind.

Excitement for the future. 2021 marks our 75th anniversary, and there’s a hum of positive energy travelling throughout our organization. As we celebrate a rich history of serving Saskatchewan, we also look forward to a year of growth and exciting changes that will help us serve our members better. We’re

building a bright future together, and it’s a truly transformative time. We reimagined our purpose, and we’re in the midst of a multiyear journey to reinvent key parts of our business through digitization, new product and service agility, and a suite of new tools to enable stronger relationships with our member and partners.

To our valued members, partners and neighbours: thank you for your trust in us.

You’ve enabled us to meet this remarkable milestone of 75 years of serving Saskatchewan, and we’re looking forward to the next 75 years to come. We’re evolving while staying true to what’s made us so special over the years: being local means that we care deeply about delivering exemplary service and investing in the wellbeing of our communities.

Thank you for your trust in us. You’ve enabled us to meet this remarkable milestone of 75 years of serving Saskatchewan, and we’re looking forward to the next 75 years to come. We’re evolving while staying true to what’s made us so special over the years: being local means that we care deeply about delivering exemplary service and investing in the wellbeing of our communities.

Stay tuned for many exciting things to come from Saskatchewan Blue Cross!

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NON-PROFITS

CHEP The corona-virus crisis has cultivated a new vocabulary to support people’s efforts in responding to our “new normal” across the globe. How do we talk about the impact of lost jobs, business and school closures, and limited services on food security in our own community and already vulnerable populations when we can’t share space for conversation or host the many committed volunteer’s that are core to our operations?

Currently, we are eagerly directing energy towards the upcoming growing season and rethinking a safe and impactful “new normal” for our established urban agriculture internship, the askîy project, where Indigenous and

non-Indigenous youth come together to learn about growing, harvesting, and social enterprise including our mobile community markets operating through July and August. www.chep.org

with sight loss and working with our talent pool on job readiness skills including career counselling, job search, employment skills

workshops, technology training, interview skills and mentorship. From early ages, we work with our participants through Kids Camps and Employment Bootcamps to enhance employability skills and promote independence. Our CNIB Talent Pool has grown by 90% this year given the pandemic and we have individuals at all skill and experience levels looking for an opportunity to showcase their talent. Through our Come to Work program, CNIB reaches out to prospective employers to talk about the benefits of hiring an individual with sight loss, such as retention, dependability and out of the box thinking. If your business is interested in exploring this opportunity, please reach out to CNIB and we would be happy to discuss our programs with them.

For more information on Come to Work visit: https://www.cnib.ca/en/programs-andservices/work/im-looking-work-come-work/ about-come-work?region=sk or contact our Saskatoon office at 306-374-4545. www.cnib.ca

For over thirty years, CHEP has worked with children, families, and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security. Like many during the pandemic, we navigated a learning curve in working out how to leverage digital tools to re-imagine ways to connect, provide, and continue to create awareness for our many programs and services. Much loved events like Seedy Saturday and the Empty Bowls Fundraiser plus our Community Kitchen Program moved online where our staff ’s perpetually expanding skillset and efforts are on display through public content made available on our YouTube channel.

CNIB

CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Saskatchewan work collaboratively to educate employers on hiring individuals

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NON-PROFITS

Gabriel Dumont Institute On March 22, 2021, The Métis Nation— Saskatchewan Education Minister, Dr. Earl Cook, announced the successful search for a new CEO of the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI). Lisa Bird-Wilson has been named to the top job after long-serving CEO Geordy McCaffrey announced last year he will leave to pursue new opportunities.

Lisa is a familiar face within the Institute, the community, and the province. She started her career at GDI in 1997 and has taken on a variety of leadership roles. In 2011, she published An Institute of Our Own: A History of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. As a Saskatchewan Métis and nêhiyaw writer, Lisa’s work has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies across Canada. Lisa is also a founding board member and chair of the Ânskohk Aboriginal Writers Circle as well as the founding president of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network.

“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact GDI has on Métis students’ lives,” said

Lisa. “I also appreciate the background and history of the struggle for Métis education in Saskatchewan. I’m thrilled to help carry forward, and build on, the Institute’s important legacy.”

Lisa will enter the new role effective April 19th with a short transition period to June 18th, when she will take over the helm as the new CEO of GDI. www.gdins.org

One connected marketing solution.

myhomefield.ca/saskatoon

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COVE R STORY

Indigenous Businesses Poised for Growth in Saskatoon and Beyond

By Véronique Loewen

In Saskatoon and area are a number of business organizations that are thriving.

The three highlighted here have a common bond - they are all operated

by Indigenous people and focused on employing and training as many First Nations and Métis people as they can.

Some of them are more familiar than others in the community. The Whitecap Development Corporation is well known for its Dakoda Dunes Golf course and hotel. Others such as Des Nedhe Group are more familiar in the mining and construction industries. And organizations such as the SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation are somewhat less familiar to the general public, yet gaining ground in Métis communities. As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year and in the spirit of economic reconciliation, here is an opportunity to discover these organizations’ history, learn more about their operations and understand their aspirations for continued growth in Saskatoon, across the province and beyond.

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Image: University of Saskatchewan (Supplied).

COVE R STORY

COVE R STORY

Image: Sean Willy, Credit: Photo Supplied

Des Nëdhë Group Investing Locally and Growing Nationally

When in 1991 the English River First Nation (ERFN) established Des Nedhe Development Corporation, one of the first Indigenous Economic Development Corporation to work nationally, to provide sustainable employment and business opportunities for ERFN members, they set the stage for today’s Des Nedhe Group - a diverse group of Indigenous-owned businesses operating across Canada, employing upwards of 500 people.

From its origins providing construction and mining services for northern Saskatchewan’s uranium operations, Des Nedhe Group is now focused on growing nationally. It means moving beyond its traditional territory. “Our strategy is to diversify our customer base.

We seek out partnerships, particularly with Indigenous communities.

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With excellent customer service, we’ve become a tier one Canadian company, that is Indigenous-owned,” says Sean Willy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Des Nedhe Group.

The group of companies include retail, property management, professional services and more. Yet, the group does not abandon its roots in the mining and nuclear industries. It is a strong advocate for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Saskatchewan.

“Northern Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis communities have 40 years of experience along side the nuclear industry. Our Elders and business leaders have knowledge to share. Rather than just watching from the sidelines, we want to be part of the discussion and have equity in this development. And with the work we do for some of the nuclear power plants in Ontario, we have even more experience to bring to the table,” explains Willy.

At the eve of National Indigenous People’s Day celebrations and as the organization also celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it has lots to be proud of and more to accomplish says Sean Willy. “We have come a long way but to continue to grow and contribute to the socio-economic development of our communities, we need people to know us better and use our businesses. Economic Reconciliation has to happen. Thousands of cars drive daily by our urban reserve, Grasswood, south of the city. Don’t just drive by, stop in and see what we have to offer. See our infrastructure, and establish your business here. Partner with us. Together, we can grow our local economy and expand nationally.”

COVE R STORY

Image: Tristan Zachow, Credit: Photo Supplied

SMEDCO Advancing Métis Entrepreneurship Across The Province

For the SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO), the business and economic development division for the Métis Nation- Saskatchewan (MN-S), the mission is to assist Métis people who want to start a business, purchase an existing business or scale-up their operations. It is an ongoing pursuit.

“We have everything available to accomplish our mission, but we need Métis entrepreneurs to know we exist – that’s the challenging part,” says Monica Brunet, responsible for Community Economic Development and Community Engagement at SMEDCO.

Since its opening in 1987, SMEDCO has become the preferred lender for over 1,500 Métis entrepreneurs and communities across the province. “Our approach is grounded in our understanding that historically Métis entrepreneurs have lower access to equity due to a lack of intergenerational wealth in families and little flexibility in traditional banking systems. We understand the hurdles they encounter. We work with them to alleviate obstacles and create tailored solutions. For example, with the pandemic we implemented a six month cease payment option to lessen the financial burden on these businesses,” explains Tristan Zachow, SMEDCO’s CEO. SMEDCO and MN-S also successfully negotiated an agreement with the federal government to administer and disburse over $10 million in COVID-19 pandemic funding. Zachow says that “Since May 2020, SMEDCO made contributions to 520 impacted businesses, 25 Métis community-owned businesses and 16 Métis economic development corporations. These contributions had a real impact to preserve jobs.”

Looking to the future, SMEDCO is focused on expanding its services. It is now able to engage in strategic partnerships and investments to create business opportunities on behalf of MN-S. “We are in a constant quest to strengthen Métis communities by working to engage more Métis businesses into the economy. We adapt our programs regularly to meet Métis people’s needs as the business landscape evolves. We encourage Métis people to leap into entrepreneurship or grow their businesses and allow us to make their journey a smooth ride,” adds Zachow.

For the board and staff at SMEDCO, celebrating National Indigenous History Month means sharing knowledge about the contributions – past and present - of Métis people to the country’s economy and supporting the next generation of Métis entrepreneurs, something SMEDCO has been proudly doing for 34 years. www.smedco.ca

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COVE R STORY

Chief Darcy Bear Says Whitecap Open For Business

Chief Bear, Whitecap Development Corporation Chair and Darrell Balkwill, WDC CEO along with two Whitecap Development Corporation Board members, Councillor Frank Royal on the left and Councillor Dwayne Eagle on the right.

The Whitecap Dakota First Nation has had lands on both sides of the Canada, US border since time immemorial. The current reserve was established in 1879, twenty-six kilometres south of Saskatoon. In 1882 Chief Whitecap assisted John Lake in forming the colony that became Saskatoon – the start of a long-standing relationship.

Whitecap established its economic development arm, the Whitecap Development Corporation in 1990. It’s mission is “to responsibly invest Whitecap Dakota First Nation resources and maximize the economic benefits to our shareholder and partners.”“Everything we do is to implement this mission. The Indian Act was created to keep Indigenous people out of the economy. So, to be able to be self-sustaining we first have to change the systems that prevent us from participating,” says Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear.

Utilizing the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, Whitecap developed its own Land Code to govern their land and be able to issue up to 99-year lease holds. That opened the door for residential and commercial interests and the development of the needed infrastructure for the community.

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First Nations to participate in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program. Today we operate one of Canada’s best public golf courses, Dakota Dunes Golf Links, and a brand-new hotel that we opened last October in the middle of the pandemic,” adds Chief Bear.

Whitecap Development Corporation (WDC) prides itself on its main Key Performance Indicator - the quality-of-life improvements it brings to its community members. “When our businesses do well, the local economy does well. People have jobs, pay taxes, buy houses, spend money in stores. When WDC does well we invest more in infrastructure to benefit our members, like building one of the first primary health care clinics on a Frist Nation in Saskatchewan,” explains Darrell Balkwill, CEO of WDC. Today, Whitecap’s economic strategy includes continued roll-out of their Dakota Dunes Resort vision with a spa and recreational and cultural experiences; promoting their Whitecap Industrial Services to the Saskatchewan industrial market; and welcoming Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to lease land in their Chief Whitecap Trail Business Park.

Chief Bear concludes by saying, “We’re focused on working together.

That’s the spirit of Reconciliation. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Covid 19 may be tough to do in person but the spirit of it is still there – it’s recognizing Indigenous peoples’ contributions.

If we all work towards a fair and equal business environment and promote economic development, it’s good for everybody. I want people to know that at Whitecap we’re open for business. Come meet us, partner with us, visit with us and stay a while.” www.whitecapdakota.com and www.whitecapdevcorp.ca

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PRO MOTIONAL FEATURE

5 Major Reasons Why E-commerce Stores Fail

by Mouneeb Shahid, CEO of 2Web.ca Since April of 2020, we have experienced how the pandemic has fueled a rapid adoption of change among businesses, particularly in the uptake of e-commerce solutions. Due to lockdowns, safety regulations and limited access to customers, many enterprises had to evolve drastically to stay in business. The most sensible step was to launch an e-commerce store; however, a rushed approach led to an underwhelming response from customers.

Let us dive deeper into why e-commerce stores fail.

Lack of Planning and a Digital Strategy "If you build it, they will come" approach no longer applies. Your e-commerce store needs to meet your customers on their turf.

The e-commerce experience needs to be well thought out and align with how your customers decide to buy. Start with creating a digital strategy that maps out your customer buying journey. Then decide on the digital assets (such as content, videos, etc.) required to meet your customers' buying behaviour at different stages. Finally, have a system in place that allows you to track user behaviour and present the right content at the right time.

2. Poor User Experience Your competition is just a click away. So many websites lose visitors and never see them again due to a poor experience. Your website should be intuitive to use so that customers can find what they are looking for easily.

Navigation should be straightforward, and products should be categorized appropriately.

Moreover, the content should clearly and concisely communicate the product value without clutter. All content should be accessible within a couple of clicks, and the

page should be load lightning fast. Every second your prospect is spending on your website is critical for making their purchase decision. It is important not to underestimate the value of a well-designed website as it can deliver a memorable experience that will encourage repeat visits and increase sales.

3. Focusing only on desktop/laptop devices Traditionally customers were more inclined to enter payment details on a desktop device as there was a perception of greater security.

Today, mobile commerce is taking over, and successful retailers utilize the power of digital wallets for quick and easy access to payment information. Many have taken the route of designing mobile apps to facilitate mobile commerce sales. Mobile apps make sense when providing customized user experiences and stimulating sales. They can also increase customer loyalty and offer more insight into customer behaviour. Try giving Amazon's website a shot to order online versus their mobile app, and you can experience the significant advantage of mobile apps first hand.

4. Disorganized marketing Marketing is an investment rather than an expense, and if done right, it can generate strong results to make a brand successful. Today we have a plethora of marketing channels available, and it is easy to get dispersed and spread your efforts too thin without creating an impact. Start with creating a marketing strategy that leverages the proper digital marketing channels for your target audience. For starters, you should optimize the e-commerce store for search engines, especially Google. Google is making it more competitive for websites to rank, and their

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criteria are constantly evolving. Understand what makes a quality ranking score for your website and invest in a sustainable content strategy that gives you organic rankings.

You can also pay Google and channels like Facebook to get more traction; however, paid Ad placements continue to increase in cost as the market becomes saturated.

5. E-commerce platform We have seen Shopify dominate the e-commerce landscape as the platform provider; however, each platform has its advantages and disadvantages. Subscriptionbased platforms such as Shopify are easy to get started with but can have limitations in expanding functionality. Another approach is to select a self-hosted platform such as WooCommerce (an e-commerce plugin for WordPress), which provides additional flexibility when it comes to customization.

For additional insights and more information, and a comparison between different platforms, please visit www.2web.ca.

CAMPAIGN

The Chamber and Saskatoon Media Group have recently partnered to provide radio exposure to Chamber members to get Saskatoon shopping, buying and eating Totally Locally. Supporting local means

that your hard earned money stays within our community and will go towards local economic stimulus including the support of the local workforce. Your local retailers are diverse and here to serve you. Be sure

to check out the featured businesses below who have been apart of the Totally Locally radio campaign.

For more information on how to participate contact Pam Kenny (306) 664-0704 memberrelations@saskatoonchamber.com

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PROFILE

SOAR

Helping promising Indigenous entrepreneurs launch their business in the Saskatoon Region SREDA’s SOAR program provides grants of up to $5,000 to promising Indigenous small business owners launching or growing their business in the Saskatoon Region. SOAR is delivered in partnership with the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce who will provide networking and advisory support to SOAR participants.

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PROFILE

Ernest Pumbing Patrick’s construction experience began at a young age, working alongside his Papa, Ernest. Patrick spent years in construction prior to beginning his plumbing apprenticeship in 2012 and attaining his Journeyperson Certification in 2017. Patrick’s plumbing career has taken him all over Saskatchewan as he completed new commercial builds, smaller scale renovations and repairs, and residential plumbing, heating, and drainage. He is a domestic gas fitter and certified boiler operator. While his specialty is plumbing, Patrick has experience with carpentry and framing, concrete, drywall, roofing, flooring, and more.

Patrick often works as conventional tradespeople do, completing all aspects of a project, however he also offers clients the option to work alongside him. This lowers the cost for the client, and provides an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge. With experience in other trades, Patrick is able to complete entire renovation projects rather than exclusively plumbing, which sets Ernest PHS apart. Patrick hopes to take Ernest PHS to remote communities where he has completed work in the past and affordable plumbing services can be difficult to find.

Recently, Ernest PHS gained 2 employees and the business’ reputation continues to grow; Patrick has an upcoming radio interview and is helping to sponsor his neighbourhood clean up. In April, Ernest PHS partnered with 2 locally owned Indigenous businesses for a giveaway, and Patrick hopes to continue with such partnerships in the future.

The most exciting development for Patrick’s 3 year old son was the arrival of the work van, which will also help the business “SOAR.”

Glassworks 360 Glassworks 360 is a studio that works with Stained Glass and Fused Glass and teaches this craft to the public. I have been doing this since 1994. It started with Stained Glass and as the glass industry changed and Fused Glass became a new avenue I started to create in this form as well. My passion for glass grew to the point of opening a store and teaching studio in Medicine Hat, AB. I recently relocated back to my home province of Saskatchewan and have continued with the teaching aspect of my craft, commissions and producing finished pieces for the public. I love to see people succeed and enjoy glass in all its forms. I love to interact and encourage people to do a new craft and enjoy and continue on to become a glass addict. It is a craft you definitely can push the boundaries and let the imagination flow in a world of stress. I believe my teaching strategies are unique because I teach my students all the steps in the craft to become self sufficient and move on with the ability to succeed on their own. I teach for longevity and success for going forward in the craft.

Moving forward for me is growing to a bigger venue, with a much broader menu for Stained and Fused glass classes. Working hard with marketing and social media will help with this transfer. Saskatoon has shown me the need for Glassworks 360 and teaching my greatest passion, Glass.

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PROFILE

International Indigenous Speakers Bureau Educating, shifting mindsets, and working to enlighten understanding of Indigenous people, the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau, or IISB, is building bridges between global communities and bringing together a world of unlimited possibilities.

As the first and only International Indigenous Speakers Bureau in the world, IISB provides organizations, institutions, and governments a resource that enables them to find, connect and build capacity with Indigenous Speakers, Experts & Knowledge Keepers from around the world. At the same time, IISB is providing Indigenous Speakers a supportive community dedicated to elevating their success.

COVID-19 crushed the global multi-billion dollar Speaking Industry, restricting people from gathering anywhere in the world. Events everywhere were wiped off the calendar for the next two years, leaving businesses scrambling to find a way to exist.

Ahead of their time, IISB had already been exploring Virtual Interactive Presentations (VIPs), with a mission to bring Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into classrooms. The challenge in 2018 was that most people could not grasp virtual, and they did not understand the software IISB was using, called Zoom.

Times have changed and everyone is ‘Zooming.’ Those in the industry who did not embrace virtual solutions, ceased to exist. Yet IISB is SOARING. Never has there been such a high demand for virtual presentations or for Indigenous speakers. It seems closing doors has also opened others for Indigenous perspectives and solutions.

With experts predicting that 60-70% of all presentations will continue to be virtual post-COVID, IISB’s ever-growing family is ready and answering the call.

Laserology Skin Clinic removal, skin rejuvenation, micro-needling, or treatments for any skin related issues we invite you to book a free personal consultation.

We offer an exclusive Black Card Membership that helps to keep you consistent with your skincare routine and lets you try treatments you may have never tried before, giving you the best results possible while treating yourself to some well deserved you time.

Here at Laserology we truly believe that when people feel better about themselves, they feel empowered. A world where everyone loves the skin they’re in — what a vision.

Laserology Skin Clinic in Warman came to be because owner Raelene Perlitz wondered what solutions were available for her Melasma - a skin condition she’d experienced for years. She soon discovered that there are a variety of treatments available for those of us who need help with their skin concerns. And so, the beginnings of Laserology started to take shape.

At Laserology, you’ll find a relaxed, comfortable environment and a realistic approach to every procedure. Whether you want laser hair

Navigating the pandemic as a new business has been a challenge, but we are excited to finally expand our team by employing a part time medical aesthetician . With the added support and ability to offer more services we are looking to continually grow our clientele.

We are currently in the process of bring new services to the clinic.

We are excited to be bringing in the latest technology for dermal infusion treatments, as well as offering dental grade teeth whitening.

Continuous education is highly valued at Laserology, and we look forward to adding more services for our clients to access as we learn about the latest treatment offerings.

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PROFILE

Stardust Clothing and Accessories Stardust Clothing and Accessories was created with all the dreamers in mind. There are vibrant colours, vintage styles and a sense of whimsy in all of our products. Our products include but are not limited to: tie dye clothing, handmade clothing, home décor and custom vinyl printing. We’re open to many ideas and are willing to work with our customers to get them the product that they desire.

In fact, it is a challenge which forces me to push my limits and has always taught me new skills.

We had begun with a used sewing machine, started out sewing slouch bags and that turned into alterations and clothing manufacturing. I had always wanted to tie dye and my partner Michael had bought me a little kit and it ignited something in me. It pushed my creative walls and tore them down and I haven’t stopped trying everything since. Creativity is a fuel to my soul, and it keeps me going.

With the SOAR grant that had been gifted, our storefront location at the Centre Mall will be opening, alongside our website going live.

We have been building inventory, designing our shop, marketing and staying on top of our customers inquiries. It has been a whirlwind and we are incredibly grateful. I am excited to share this with everyone and I hope that this ignites something in someone to chase their dreams.

SymmetryPR Our company is an Indigenous-owned, local Saskatchewan communications/marketing consultancy founded on: Brains. We’re data-driven, focussed on research and measurement and connecting our work to our customers’ bottom line.

Guts. We seek challenges and try new and creative approaches to get results, embodying a “turn it upside down” attitude.

Heart. We’re communication professionals on paper but relationship builders at heart. We value people-centric communications to build trust and mutual benefit, and giving back to the communities we serve.

We’re the only communications consultancy in Saskatchewan founded and run by two Communications Management Professionals, an ISO-certified designation.

In April, we launched our Symmetry Collective, a novel initiative that joins other communication/marketing professionals in a virtual coworking environment who are aligned with our same values and principles of working together. Collectively, we seek to build a community of practice, sharing expertise and best practices to help us deliver stronger outcomes for our customers and a bigger impact in our communities.

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while working to give back to the communities they serve. This initiative also means, by working with others to complement our skill sets, we are able to offer “big agency” results as a consortium of independent enterprises.

We’re also looking to expand further into the training arena with a focus on media and public speaking training.

INDIGENOUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SASKATCHEWAN

Creating Partnerships

The ICCS was established in 2018 to provide a platform for Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders to engage, provide support, exchange knowledge with each other. Its purpose is to act as the provincial hub for professionals, businesses owned and operated by, or employing Indigenous peoples.

“We established ICCS as Indigenous professionals on the Saskatchewan business landscape recognized the gaps in connecting Indigenous businesses with each other in a marketing, procurement and networking capacity,” explains Patrick Dinsdale, ICCS Board Chair. “We also see opportunities to reach out and engage with student groups at the Edwards School of Business Indigenous Student’s Association as well as the First Nations University Student Council Association to reduce networking gaps with youth entrepreneurs.”

Since ICCS is still in its launch phase, Dinsdale is quick to point

“

We established ICCS as Indigenous professionals on the Saskatchewan business landscape recognized the gaps in connecting Indigenous businesses with each other in a marketing, procurement and networking capacity Patrick Dinsdale ICCS Board Chair.

“

The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce continues its journey advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation and responding to TRC Call to Action 92. Through the work of the Chamber’s strategic Indigenous Economic Growth Committee, we have looked internally ensuring that our staff and Board of Directors have a strong foundation of Indigenous Awareness training rooted in cultural awareness, protocols and practices, and diversity and inclusion. We are also pleased to have partnered with SREDA to co-deliver the SOAR Program, which provides grants to promising Indigenous entrepreneurs who are launching or growing a business. As we continue moving forward with our work in this space, the Saskatoon Chamber is excited to be taking another step towards true collaboration and relationship building with our Indigenous business community through a new partnership with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Saskatchewan (ICCS).

out that the partnership between the two organizations will allow Indigenous Chamber leaders to draw on the expertise of Saskatoon Chamber staff to set it up for success. “We have had the great fortune to find a great partnership right from the start in the GSCC, they have been very supportive with open dialogue,” said Dinsdale. “In addition, SIEF has come on as title sponsor for the 2021 fiscal year and we have created a relationship to help us continue on as we enter a year of rapid growth.”

Similarly, the Saskatoon Chamber is pleased to have formalized an agreement between the two organizations which will create future opportunities for knowledge exchange and event partnership.

“We have so much to learn from each other,” observes Jason Aebig, CEO of the Saskatoon Chamber. “We are looking forward to working alongside ICCS leaders, learning from ICCS members, Elders and advisors, advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation together, and helping the wider business community incorporate Indigenous ways of doing and knowing in their own activities.”

We are membership driven organization that acts as a provincial hub for professionals, businesses owned and operated by, or employing Indigenous peoples. www.iccsask.ca Join and become a member!

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HIGHLIGHT REEL

Chamber Happenings

(Through a webcam)

Chamber on Tap: Living Sky Cafe

Big Ideas. Lessons Learned. Advice from those who have started up and started over.

It’s all on tap in this series of social events where our business community comes together to hear from our city’s movers and shakers.

We had a fun Chamber on Tap in March with entrepreneurs Jenna Dube & Taylor Morrison of Living Sky Cafe and Comedian Matthew Murray!

Jenna Dube & Taylor Morrison

Matthew Murray

Click to watch > Chamber on Tap: Living Sky Cafe

Michael Shugarman

Bob Black

Will Lofdahl

Tammy Sweeney

Power Lunch: Downtown Entertainment District A joint-use facility, in a new and vibrant entertainment district, is on the horizon. Once a downtown site has been decided, what's next and how long will it take to get it done?

Experts in facility development and leaders from Sasktel Centre and TCU Place, gave us insights on the key milestones, timelines and factors that will drive the process.

Click to watch > Power Lunch: Downtown Entertainment District

Aaron Fornwald

George Green

Mathew Cey

Tara McKeown

Power Breakfast: No Jab? No Job? Can employers require their employees to get a coronavirus vaccine? How can we balance the rights of employees and responsibilities of employers now that vaccine is flowing? These

were the vaccine questions that were vexing business owners and managers. An informative discussion that provided answers on COVID vaccination.

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HIGHLIGHT REEL

Chamber Happenings

(Through a webcam)

Chamber on Tap: Kevin Sharfe

An insightful conversation with Kevin Sharfe from Sherwood Chevrolet & Sherwood RV - A business that has been operating successfully for over 50 years!

Also featured entertainment by musician Sheldon Corbett on piano.

Kevin Sharfe

Sheldon Corbett

Click to watch > Chamber on Tap: Kevin Sharfe

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer

Power Lunch: Provincial Budget with Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer

An overview of the 2021-22 Provincial Budget, the government’s plan for fiscal stabilization, and Saskatchewan’s path back to balance.

Open Membership Call: Meet the 2021-22 Board Candidates!

Prior to voting, the Chamber Membership had the to exclusive opportunity to meet, hear from and ask questions of the individuals who are running to be on your Chamber Board of Directors!

Click to watch

Click to watch

Power Breakfast: The Future of Air Service in Saskatoon

A view on the current state of our airport.

How important is international designation for Saskatoon? Are there any new routes or carriers on our horizon? We had a 30,000 ft view of air service in Saskatoon and what the future holds.

Click to watch

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY INFORMED OF NEW EVENTS AND DATES Stephen Maybury

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BOARD ELECTIONS

2021/2022 Board of Directors Election We are grateful to this incredible group of leaders for standing as candidates in our Board of Directors election. This year's lineup of candidates was talented and diverse, representing a good cross-section of Saskatoon's business community. Thanks to each of you for stepping forward and volunteering to represent and serve your fellow Chamber members through 2021/2022. Our Chamber is strong because of business leaders like you.

Watch for election results on social media and on our weekly Chamber Check-in.

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BOARD ELECTIONS

2021/2022 Board of Directors Election

REMEMBER

TO VOTE VOTING CLOSES MAY 12, 2021 AT 12:00PM

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MAY / JUNE 2021 37

CHAIR’ S MESSAGE

During this time the Saskatoon Chamber has remained “open for business” through many challenges and often put the challenges they were facing on the back burner to better serve the business community and its members.

The leadership of both the interim CEO, Silvia Martini and our permanent CEO, Jason Aebig have shown that with great leadership brings forward an organization that can withstand anything. In working alongside this leadership and the Board of Directors there was only a passion for the possibilities and the forward-thinking momentum of what we could deliver to add value and assist the businesses as they worked to not just recover but thrive.

The saying of “never waste a good crisis” was brought up by one of our Board Members early in the pandemic and it continued to be a living theme we all seemed to operate with in mind.

As I leave this position, I am taking with it a deeper appreciation for what community means and the role the Chamber plays in holding a community together. My hope is that I am the only Chair to have to go

“

I am sure many will agree that Saskatoon has been one of the most resilient business centers in Canada and the Chamber has been the voice to represent us all at all levels of government. Our local, provincial, and federal governments have not only listened and acted but they truly have taken the time to understand what the business community needed and continues to need during each phase.

Saskatoon Chamber Board Chair Carla Browne They look towards the Chamber to assist in guiding decisions that impact us all and I many times. This group has worked to applaud the government officials and our weather this storm we have all endured and amazing health officials for doing what they I truly feel blessed to have had them around could to keep our economy moving as much me for the past year. as possible in the last year. No one signed up to lead during a pandemic and the leaders Resiliency is the word I will leave you surrounding us have done it with an amazing with. As members we are in good hands grace and compassion. with the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, and I look forward to the day As we say goodbye to some of the Board we all are reconnected in person. Until then Members whose terms have come due we stay strong Saskatoon. also see a new energy of new Board Members ready to serve our membership. There is a Sincerely, deep gratitude that is hard to express for this group of people willing to put the needs of Carla Browne, Chair the community before their own businesses Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce

During this time the Saskatoon Chamber has remained “open for business” through many challenges and often put the challenges they were facing on the back burner to better serve the business community and its members.

Carla Browne, Chair Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce

38 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON MAY / JUNE 2021

Image: Gina’s Portraits

The past year has been one of the toughest for the business community but also one of opportunity and lessons learned. From a complete business disruption of the travel and hospitality industry to small entrepreneurs having to make incredibly hard decisions with people, the impact and severity is real.

Companies have had to answer to shareholders, investors, customers, suppliers, and employees.

The way we had all been “accustomed” to doing business changed in some sort or another for all.

a full year with a virtual connection to the business community, but it was still a connection! As we continue to roll out the vaccine implementation our community has a renewed sense of recovery and many projects that may have been on hold for a short time have resurfaced, resurged and are moving forward.

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“Adversity does not build character, it reveals it”. This is one of my favorite quotes from James Lane Allen and it is perfect to describe The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in my year as Board Chair.

Carla Browne is the Chair of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and the Owner of Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carla Browne

Chair Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc.

Graham Snell First Vice-Chair Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan

CeCe Baptiste

Todd Denzin

Juan Godinez

Tara McKeown

Director Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)

Director Nutrien

Director ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd.

Director Conexus Credit Union

Heather Ryan

Tanis Taylor

Director Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL)

Director CCA Consulting

Colton Wiegers Second Vice-Chair Wiegers Financial & Benefits

Katrina German

Chris Sicotte Past-Chair AON Reed Stenhouse

Joseph Gill

Director KatrinaGerman.com

Director McKercher LLP

Dr. Adam McInnes

Sandra Ribeiro

Director Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated

Director Canadian Light Source Inc.

Chamber Board of Directors: Working for You! BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON

MAY / JUNE 2021 39

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