[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bucks1-1.jpg” alt=”Owner of Buck’s Sports Shop, Amanda Buckshot in front of her store” title_text=”Main_Image” admin_label=”Main image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_height=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_image][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||7px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”14px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-42px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Amanda Buckshot is the manager of Buck’s Sports Shop. Serving both Kitigan Zibi and Manawaki, her employees serve customers in both English and French. [Photo © Isabella Rumfeldt] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Story headline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||13px|||” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Dek” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|700|||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Learning French an economic necessity, but Anglophone-speaking First Nation also hoping to revitalize community’s mother tongue. [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|700|||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”-70px|||||” custom_padding=”14px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] By: Philippe Doucet, Zuhra Jibril, Taylor O’Brien, and Isabella Rumfeldt [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] It can be difficult to find the right candidate for the job in the best of circumstances. But for businesses in Kitigan Zibi — a majority-Anglophone Anishinaabe community in Quebec—hiring comes with a few extra challenges. The First Nation is so close to neighbouring Maniwaki — where nearly 60 per cent of residents only speak French — that it can be difficult for a visitor to tell where one community ends and the other begins. Amanda Buckshot, the manager of Buck’s Sports Shop in Kitigan Zibi, says about two-thirds of the store’s clientele speak only French. “You have to be able to serve them in both languages,” she said. Buckshot added that all of her employees must be bilingual in French and English. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/buckshot1.jpg” alt=”Image of Amanda Buckshot inside her office discussing employment requirements.” title_text=”buckshot1″ admin_label=”First story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”12px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Amanda Buckshot inside Buck’s Sports Shop discusses how her business is lucky when it comes to the number of staff she has. [Photo © Isabella Rumfeldt]  [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Finding bilingual candidates from Kitigan Zibi is a challenge, said Buckshot. The First Nation encourages businesses to hire community members, which Buckshot agreed is important. But being bilingual can determine whether someone lands a job – or not. Add to that an additional pressure: the community’s Indigenous language, Algonquin, is at risk. That puts Kitigan Zibi businesses in the tricky position of navigating three languages. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-25px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The language of commerce” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_align=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Not all businesses and stores in Kitigan Zibi require employees to speak French and English. Brett Dumont, the assistant manager and co-owner of KZ Freshmart, the community’s grocery store, said it doesn’t matter to him what language his employees speak. “As far as I’m concerned, if you can just do the job, well, then you’re more than qualified enough to work at KZ Freshmart,” he said. However, given that the language of commerce in the region tends to be both English and French, the First Nation offers multiple French language training programs. Barry Commando, Kitigan Zibi’s economic development officer, said there’s “a strong French program that’s taken place throughout the schooling,” which he said has been successful. Buckshot added that the First Nation offers “great incentives, like summer projects and employment projects if we take on someone from the community.” “We’re working a lot to get training in place to bring them all up to par with what’s needed when they do apply for jobs on and off the community,” Commando said. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” min_height=”690px” custom_margin=”43px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/unemployment1-2.jpg” alt=”Graph of unemployment rates between 2001 to 2010 in KZ” title_text=”unemployment1″ admin_label=”Second story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”15px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] The graph above shows the changes in unemployment rate in Kitigan Zibi, Maniwaki, and Quebec province between 2001 to 2021. Unemployment rates in Kitigan Zibi have been in decline since the following year after 2011. [Infographic © Isabella Rumfeldt]​ [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] The training efforts may be part of the reason Kitigan Zibi has managed to cut its unemployment rate nearly in half since 2001, to 20 per cent. That’s still almost double the rate of unemployment in Maniwaki. Although many factors contribute to unemployment, unilingual Anglophones — who make up nearly 60 per cent of Kitigan Zibi’s population — may have a harder time finding jobs in businesses where they need to serve local clients. The economic advantage of speaking French in Kitigan Zibi is, therefore, still very present. “As with anything else, it’s always to your benefit to be bilingual,” said Commando. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-25px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Not a %22rich%22 language” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_align=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-76px||28px|||” custom_padding=”60px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] What isn’t lost on most employers or job seekers in Kitigan Zibi is that neither French nor English is the community’s Indigenous language. Algonquin — a dialect of Anishinaabemowin — is the third most spoken language in Kitigan Zibi. However, it’s a language at risk: only five per cent of Kitigan Zibi’s 1,205 residents speak the language at home to some degree. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-69px|auto|-77px|auto||” custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/pocZrBTDnlk?si=RgZowJhZAfHCztMS” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GavinCleaning_Resized.jpg” alt=”Gavin Decontie kneels down and uses a small carpet cleaner on a red sofa” title_text=”GavinCleaning_Resized” admin_label=”Main image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_height=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_image][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||7px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Gavin Decontie sprays down the stains on a client’s couch with a cleaning solution and then goes over it with the handle of a portable carpet cleaner. [Photo © Nathan Fung] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Story headline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”32px” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”||on||||||” content_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”0px||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Gavin Decontie started cleaning upholstery while still in high school. Now, he hopes to expand his clients, with help from a new Indigenous business incubator program [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|700|||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] By Nehaa Bimal, Nathan Fung, Will Osborne, and Benjamin Ralph [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-41px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] For Gavin Decontie, the idea of launching a full-fledged upholstery cleaning company came from helping his mother Laurie with her severe dust allergies. She regularly cleaned their family couches with a shampooer and taught him to do the same at a young age.  “A lot of people would come over to my mom’s house and they’d be like ‘Oh my God, Laurie, your couch looks brand new and it smells so fresh in here,’” Decontie said. In 2014, Laurie asked her son if he’d be interested in taking cleaning jobs to earn some fast cash in high school. Aided by word-of-mouth and a few flyers, his business, Decontie Clean, spread throughout their home community of Kitigan Zibi First Nation, an Algonquin community about 130 kilometres north of Gatineau, Que.  “I didn’t really think that it was going to be something like a career for him,” Laurie said. “I never did think that it would have become as big as it did.”  But Decontie had further ambitions: to expand beyond his home community to the Ottawa-Gatineau area where a whole city’s worth of office chairs awaited him. “I just wanted to have work that was more regular and to make sure that I was not struggling. I’d be able to make more money with government contracts as office chairs are the biggest money-makers out of all of the stuff I clean,” he said. Neither of Decontie’s parents were business owners, so making the move into the city was a perilous step. “What had stopped me was not having the mentorship,” Decontie said. “If I want to go to the city, who could I speak to that could point me in the right direction?”  As it turns out, help in Ottawa wasn’t as far away as he thought. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GavinAndMom.jpg” alt=”Alyssa, Gavin, and Laurie Decontie stand together in front of a mural” title_text=”GavinAndMom” admin_label=”First story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Decontie poses with his sister Alyssa (left) and his mother Laurie (right) at the ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub in Ottawa. [Photo supplied by Laurie Decontie] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”A place to dream” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Last year, Decontie was one of three Indigenous entrepreneurs selected to participate in a fourteen-week business incubator program at the ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub in Ottawa called “Wejibàbandan,” which means “a place to dream.” The incubator ran from September to December of 2023.  The pilot program helped Decontie incorporate his business, redevelop his company website, and expand his procurement opportunities. It also helped him network with other entrepreneurs in Ottawa.  “I’ve been through such a long and hard journey, but now to actually be able to be around people that are like-minded and other Indigenous people, it felt like I found my soul family,” Decontie said. ADAAWE is an offshoot of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, a network of Indigenous financial institutions that foster Indigenous economic development.  Zachary Pashe, the hub’s team lead, said the program’s goal was to help young but promising entrepreneurs be confident in their business ventures going forward. “The idea was to get them at an operational level when they finish the incubator program where they’re able to book [clients] and be successful three months out as well,” said Pashe.  [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ZachPhoto.jpg” alt=”ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub team lead Zachary Pashe stands in front a mural.” title_text=”ZachPhoto” admin_label=”Second story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Zachary Pashe is the team lead of the ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub, which put together the incubator program. [Photo © Nathan Fung] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Pashe considered Decontie for the incubator after a chance encounter at an event in the summer of 2023. What stuck with him was Decontie’s determination as a young entrepreneur.  “I kind of knew that he had that energy, that he was going to go far in whatever he’s going to do,” Pashe said. “I admired his heart and his spirituality.” The program also helped Decontie design a new company logo: a stylized white, blue, and yellow image of an eagle feather that reflects his First Nations heritage.  [/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Resilience in action” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_padding=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Prior to participating in the incubator program, Decontie maintained a vision board, a collage of images representing the goals and milestones he wanted to attain. On it was an upgraded shampoo machine he saved up for and the garage he bought to use as his headquarters. To make this a reality, Decontie worked on a business plan with Kitigan Zibi’s economic development officer, earning a $170,000 grant to fund his new garage.   [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pik_Resized_Koenig.jpg” title_text=”Pik_Resized_Koenig” admin_label=”Main image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_height=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_image][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||7px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Abandoned barn stands amidst the landscape of land acquired by Pikwàkanagàn’s LP. As the community deliberates on its final purpose, the fee simple land brings available equity within the community. [Photo © Madeleine Van Clieaf] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Story headline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”32px” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”||on||||||” content_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”0px||4px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Through land acquisitions and innovative partnerships, the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation aim to break free from the Indian Act and carve out a path towards sustainable growth and community development. [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|–et_global_body_font_weight|||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” min_height=”9.4px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] By Ally Lemieux Fanset, Madeleine Van Clieaf, Maude Lipsett, and Sophia Foglia Published in The Globe and Mail [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|700|||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” min_height=”105.4px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”464.8px” custom_margin=”-67px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] By the cool water of the Bonnechere River, obscured by bush and an abandoned barn, a plot of land stretches out across 170 acres. To some it’s just an empty lot with maple trees, but to the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation (AOPFN), the land represents an investment in the community’s economic future and self-determination. Their reserve lies west of Ottawa, near Renfrew County, though their unceded land stretches nine million acres including eastern Ontario and the National Capital Region. For generations, they were restrained to 1800 acres of rocky unfarmable reserve land. The newly purchased land is part of the Nation’s plan to develop beyond the reserve’s borders. With round glasses and a wide smile, recently elected councillor Don Bilodeau previously led the economic project responsible for developing the economy off-reserve. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/RESIZED-Don-Bilodeau-Properly-Edited.jpg” title_text=”RESIZED-Don-Bilodeau-Properly-Edited” admin_label=”First story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Councillor Don Bilodeau of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation poses in front of the band office. [Photo © Madeleine Van Clieaf] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] “This land is very rich in many ways and beautiful,” said Bilodeau. “Yet we watch all that’s happening around us and none of it comes back this way. It’s a struggle for anyone to give us more. So, we have to buy back the land that we once were the stewards of a couple of hundred years ago.” Under the Indian Act, community members are unable to own reserve land, as it’s owned by the Crown. The new purchase lets the community sidestep the Indian Act by owning land and choosing how to use it. Yet, the land’s future is uncertain and a controversial path forward for many. Limited Partnership In 2020, AOPFN bought two parcels of land through their Limited Partnership (LP). Council plans on adding one parcel to the reserve.  The other lies five minutes away and could be kept “fee simple.” Unlike reserve land, fee simple means Pikwàkanagàn’s Limited Partnership has exclusive rights and ownership to the property, aside from taxation, debt obligations and local building restrictions. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/oDrQoLg6Jh4″ admin_label=”Video” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] 1m12s: “Gain a clear understanding of fee simple land ownership and its implications within Indigenous rights and land management, shedding light on important aspects of land tenure in Indigenous communities.” [Filming © Maude Lipsett; Editing © Ally Lemieux Fanset and Maude Lipsett] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] “With the investment in land, we might be able to have some bank equity, some collateral we can borrow against to invest and grow capital, trying to be smarter and skirt around the Indian Act,” Bilodeau explained.  The purchase is a small piece of a larger venture: the AOPFN Limited Partnership, a company run in partnership with the community. From her yurt in Pikwàkanagàn, Leah Hinterberger took the helm of the LP last year. She hopes to generate enough revenue to support local businesses, education and youth engagement. Aligning with her passion for the environment, the LP is partnering with renewable energy businesses. Generated funds go back to the shareholders, the AOPFN. But Hinterberger has big aspirations. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Hinterberger.jpg” alt=”Leah Hinterberger holds a sturgeon fish near a shore. Two men stand behind her, one holds a camera.” title_text=”Hinterberger” admin_label=”Second story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] At the Environmental Field School near Fort-Coulonge, Leah Hinterberger proudly holds a lake sturgeon, an endangered species within the Great Lakes and Upper St. Lawrence. There are many preservation efforts ongoing across the province of Ontario. [Photo provided by Leah Hinterberger] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] “The LP has been small. I want to take it to the next level and really start bringing in some funds,” she said.  The company serves to help prove self-determination for ongoing land claim negotiations, Bilodeau explained. He sees the land as just a small part of the economic development created by the Limited Partnership. “Our ability to foster partnerships and joint ventures with numerous businesses that are active in that nine-million-acre territory is really something we feel is possible,” Bilodeau said. “The limited partnership, from our perspective, is something that can earn revenue long term for the First Nations.” Land back, not buy back Veldon Coburn, a political science professor at McGill University and member of AOPFN, said he has mixed feelings about the purchase. “We’re buying back our

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ed_Smoke_Engraving.jpg” alt=”A close up of a man’s hands holding a wooden circle with a laser engraving that reads %22Akwesasne Sharing the Mohawk Spirit%22″ title_text=”Ed_Smoke_Engraving” admin_label=”Main image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_height=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_image][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||7px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Edward Smoke is the business services specialist at the Office of Economic Development for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and a hobbyist entrepreneur in his free time. [Photo © Catriona Koenig] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Story headline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”32px” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”|700|on||||||” content_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” min_height=”94.8px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Small businesses like Poptronic and Hummingbird Gift Shop are helping reverse the brain drain in Akwesasne while navigating international borders. [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”||||||||” content_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”-46px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] By Catriona Koenig, Emma Weller, and Gabrielle Huston Published in The Globe and Mail [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] In a room lit up with neon lights, eager teens put on headsets, ready to dive into pixelated alternate realities where anything seems possible. Welcome to Poptronic – a virtual reality (VR) business located on Cornwall Island in the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne. After spending two years trying to grow their VR business in the city of Cornwall without success, owners Kelly Bergeron and Chatnie Herne decided to move to the neighbouring First Nation community. “The difference is incredible,” Bergeron says. “We’ve been getting so much support.” Businesses like Poptronic embody the Mohawk entrepreneurial spirit in Akwesasne, where more people are starting their own businesses and creating job opportunities for locals than average. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://capitalcurrent.ca/indigenous-communities/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Main_image.jpg” alt=”Two people play virtual reality. They are smiling and wearing headsets.” title_text=”Main_image” admin_label=”First story image” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image cutline” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”] Journalist Catriona Koenig (left) joins Poptronic co-owner Chatnie Herne (right) for a round of virtual reality mini-golf. [Photo © Gabrielle Huston] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The explosion of entrepreneurs in Akwesasne” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Akwesasne is unique, geographically: It intersects with Ontario, Quebec and New York State. Located in both Canada and the U.S., there are different governing bodies for each side of the border. The total population of the territory is 23,000 people, with 11,000 on the U.S. side. According to Edward Smoke from the Office of Economic Development, run by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (New York State), more than 1,400 people are employed by nearly 360 small businesses on the American side. That means St. Regis has considerably more small businesses per capita than the Canadian average. Even Smoke has a side project making laser engravings on wooden key chains, which he often sells to a gift shop at a nearby historical site. Smoke said the explosion in entrepreneurship is reversing the “brain drain” that plagued Akwesasne for years. Many remote and isolated First Nations experience brain drains, where people are forced to move to urban areas due to a lack of educational or employment opportunities. This “drains” the community of their knowledge and skills. Now, in Akwesasne, more and more people like Chatnie Herne are bringing back their knowledge from postsecondary to help grow the community. “I was always told if you go away for your education, bring that knowledge back to your community, because they supported you,” Herne says. “They helped you get that. So, you should dedicate a portion of your work towards helping your community.” Herne most recently graduated from the State University of New York College in Potsdam with a master of science in management of information technology. She became the majority owner of Poptronic after Bergeron, an old co-worker and friend, brought her for her tech experience. Herne didn’t just leverage her technical knowledge, but her Indigenous culture and community knowledge to shape and grow the business. This, combined with their move to Akwesasne, has paid dividends. In the last six months, Poptronic sales were double what they made throughout the two years they spent in Cornwall. Now, they have a space where they host birthday parties and other events. They are also trying to create partnerships with businesses to further Indigenous education. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Border hangups” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story copy” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] While entrepreneurial spirits thrives in Akwesasne, business owners must work around the challenge of being subject to three jurisdictions. The international border that divides the territory has both benefits and disadvantages for small businesses on either side. Hummingbird Gift Shop is located on the Canadian side, right after the Seaway International Bridge, in the same plaza as Poptronic. “We do depend on people outside of the community to purchase our products in order to be successful,” says Luz Benedict, a co-owner of the gift shop. “We definitely wouldn’t be able to survive as a business if we didn’t have visitors from off-reserve.” She adds that around half of their sales come from non-residents on their way to cross the U.S. border. Despite getting business from curious travellers, other potential customers are often deferred from making the trip. To get to Cornwall Island, people must pay a toll to cross the bridge. When leaving the island, it’s required to cross through Canadian customs, even though visitors don’t leave the country. This can mean waiting in line at the border and potentially fielding stressful questions from the customs officer. “It can make people nervous,” Luz Benedict says. “And it’s an extra hassle.” To eliminate “the restrictions of the customs and the toll booths,” Hummingbird’s goal for the year is to set up an online storefront. Luz Benedict and her partner, Jason