Ulnooweg Development Group helping to build innovative and inclusive Atlantic Canada economy
News release
Support for COVID-19 technology-based adjustments latest in series of supports available to Indigenous businesses
May 5, 2021 · Millbrook, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The success of Indigenous businesses is essential to building a strong, innovative and inclusive Atlantic Canadian economy. Ulnooweg Develop Group (Ulnooweg), located in Millbrook, Nova Scotia, and with offices in New Brunswick and in Newfoundland and Labrador, is one of a few Indigenous business support organizations helping Indigenous businesses reach their goals.
Today, Lenore Zann, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, provided an update on the latest Government of Canada investments with Ulnooweg.
These include a recent contribution from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) ─ delivered by ACOA ─ that enabled Ulnooweg to help 23 Indigenous clients access the entrepreneurial training and digital support they needed to serve their own clients virtually and safely, in compliance with pandemic restrictions.
A second component of the project supported technology upgrades to Ulnooweg’s office systems, allowing the organization to better respond to clients' needs in a virtual environment, while enabling staff to work securely and remotely from home.
Awards Show Recognizes Indigenous Businesses
With support from ACOA, Ulnooweg has hosted and organized the Ulnooweg Entrepreneur Award Show every other year since 2005. The event, which acknowledges and celebrates the resilience of Indigenous businesses in Atlantic Canada, went ahead as planned last Fall with COVID-19 restrictions and safeguards in place.
Nine Indigenous entrepreneurs received awards ranging from Youth Entrepreneur of the Year to two lifetime achievement awards. Read more about the 2020 Ulnooweg Entrepreneur Award Show recipients from across Atlantic Canada.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is working with pan-Atlantic Indigenous and community-level organizations to grow the Atlantic economy by supporting the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses. We are pleased to help support the resilience of Ulnooweg and its clients as they adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and create a better future for Indigenous communities.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Ulnooweg Development Group, through its suite of Indigenous business loans, funding solutions, skills development and counselling, has been a strong ally to Indigenous communities, their people and the rest of Atlantic Canada. I am pleased to see so many entrepreneurs and businesses seizing new opportunities for growth and success with the help and support of this organization.”
Lenore Zann, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester
“This past year, COVID has presented new and intense challenges for individuals, families and businesses. In the face of these challenges, we have witnessed strength and resilience from Indigenous entrepreneurs within Atlantic Canada. With programs and funding from ACOA, Ulnooweg has been able to support many Indigenous businesses and community enterprises in sustaining operations, and also to celebrate resilience and success across the region with the tenth Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Show.”
Chris Googoo, Chief Operations Officer, Ulnooweg Development Group
Quick facts
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Ulnooweg Development Group is based in Millbrook, N.S. and has offices in Fredericton and Eel River Bar, N.B.; as well as Stephenville, N.L.
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Ulnooweg’s Covid-19 Technological Adjustments and Support for Training to Indigenous Businesses project received a non-repayable contribution of $205,000 through ACOA’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.
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ACOA provided a grant of $35,000 through its Business Development Program to help Ulnooweg offset the costs of producing and hosting the 2020 Ulnooweg Entrepreneur Award Show.
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If passed, Budget 2021 proposes a historic, new investment of over $18 billion over the next five years, to improve the quality of life and create new opportunities for people living in Indigenous communities.
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Ulnooweg provides two types of financial support to Indigenous entrepreneurs – a variety of loan products to meet different needs of small and medium sized businesses, and non-repayable business contributions through the Aboriginal Business Financing Program.
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Ulnooweg’s affiliated organizations include the Ulnooweg Education Centre, the Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation and Digital Mi’kmaq.
Associated links
Contacts
Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ACOA.mediaroom-salledesmedia.APECA@canada.ca
Ulnooweg Development Group
Media relations
info@ulnooweg.ca
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