INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN MATAWA, CESO AND RISE ASSET DEVELOPMENT SET TO ROLL OUT BUSINESS WEEK IN FIRST NATIONS
THUNDER BAY, ON: Business coaches from Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) and the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) announced today that they are set to roll out Business Week from September 18 – 22 in the 9 Matawa First Nations. The focus will be ‘Igniting Entrepreneurship’ with a vision of reducing poverty.
Business coaches include Brent Edwards and Brook Mainville, Business Support Officers from MFNM and Harry Norton and Jane Underwood, CESO Volunteer Advisors. They will be teaming up to deliver Introduction to Entrepreneurship workshops with the support of community Economic Development Officers (EDOs). Topics will include financing strategies and learning more about obtaining business loans through Rise Asset Development and business plan writing. There will also be opportunities for one-on-one business coaching. They are hoping to raise awareness on the project and begin client management after individuals are registered. Their schedule is as follows:
- September 18 – Marten Falls First Nation
- September 18 – Webequie First Nation
- September 19 – Aroland First Nation
- September 19 – Neskantaga First Nation
- September 20 – Constance Lake First Nation
- September 20 – Nibinamik First Nation
- September 21 – Long Lake #58 First Nation
- September 21 – Ginoogaming First Naiton
- September 21 – Eabametoong First Nation
In January, MFNM received provincial funding support through the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy. The strategy, announced in April 2015, supports innovative, local, community-driven solutions that measurably improve the lives of those most affected by poverty. MFNM will be utilizing the investment to evaluate the impact of a co-created, culturally-appropriate entrepreneurship programs for First Nations in the 9 communities.
This Business Week marks the first set of coordinated workshops. Business coaches plan on hosting a similar workshop in Thunder Bay for Matawa First Nation members in the near future and additional round of workshops in the 9 Matawa communities in January 2018.