Providing Indigenous business women with fuel for growth
News Release
Government of Canada invests $60,000 to encourage economic growth in indigenous communities
November 6, 2017 – Moncton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Ensuring that entrepreneurs have access to business advice, knowledge and mentors to transform their ideas into successful companies is how the Government of Canada is building an economy that works for all Canadians.
Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, today announced that the Government of Canada is providing assistance to the Ulnooweg Development Group for the organization of the Momentum: Empowering Aboriginal Women in Business Conference.
This conference, which is being held November 6-8 in Moncton, N.B., brings together 75 indigenous women who will share experiences and ideas on the challenges and successes of growing a business in their respective communities. Indigenous-owned small businesses are being created at a rate six times faster than overall small business creation in Canada, but there is still tremendous unrealized potential in Canada’s Indigenous population.
Participants in this conference will be provided with the tools and knowledge necessary to grow their businesses, create good paying jobs, and contribute even more to improving the quality of life and economic development in Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada.
The Government of Canada is providing $60,000 in support for this conference which aligns with the goals of the Atlantic Growth Strategy. One of this strategy’s pillars involves Skilled Workforce / Immigration which is aimed specifically at creating and maintaining jobs for unemployed and underemployed Canadians, including under-represented groups such as Indigenous people.
Quotes
“Helping entrepreneurs, including Indigenous women, grow their own businesses contributes to the economic development and growth of their communities. Our government remains committed to helping create good jobs and supporting the economic growth that enhances the resilience of Atlantic Canada’s Indigenous communities.”
- Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
“I am pleased that our government can support this conference, which will provide Indigenous women entrepreneurs with learning opportunities to increase their skills and to be leaders of business growth in their communities. It is vital for women to be engaged in the entrepreneurial process, and to help drive the growing opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses in our economy.”
The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P., Minister of Indigenous Services
“We are committed to supporting the development of Aboriginal communities in Atlantic Canada. Aboriginal women are an integral part of their community; they are instrumental in the development of entrepreneurship and job creation. A conference like Momentum: Empowering Aboriginal Women in Business can only lead to success and long-term growth for our communities.”
Christopher Googoo, Chief Operating Officer, Ulnooweg Development Group
Quick Facts
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The Government of Canada’s contribution includes $40,000 from ACOA’s Business Development Program and $20,000 from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada’s Community Opportunity Readiness Program.
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Programming during the Momentum Conference includes workshops on social media analysis, financial management and funding programs for business growth, marketing and promotion, culminating with a successful entrepreneurs’ panel. Roundtable discussions and plenary sessions designed to equip indigenous business women to identify and respond to local and regional opportunities will complement the workshops.
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Ulnooweg Development Group has been providing loans and business services to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada since 1986 through offices in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador and Nova Scotia.
Associated Links
Contacts
Robert Bourgeois
Coordinator, Media Relations and Parliamentary Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Robert.Bourgeois@Canada.ca
(506) 851-6773
INAC Media Relations
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 953-1160
Angelina McMullin
Client Services Officer
Ulnooweg Development Group
amcmullin@ulnooweg.ca
(888) 766-2376