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Membertou First Nation’s Andrea Dennis is a well-regarded Mi’kmaw beadwork artist and entrepreneur and is fully in favor of new federal funding to help Indigenous women and youth enter the world of commerce .
She said Friday, shortly after Small Business Minister Recy Valdez announced the $2.5 million program. “There’s going to be more to come, and I’m really proud of that.”
Valdez, who ran her own bakery before becoming a member of Congress, said women often face barriers to entrepreneurship, including access to capital, mentors and role models.
The federal government is adding $2 million to the Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund and an additional $500,000 to create the Indigenous Youth Program, all managed by the National Association of Indigenous Capital Corporations, which represents Indigenous financial institutions. It is planned that
While capital is important, the support the association can provide new entrepreneurs is essential, Valdez said, adding that she feels this personally as a young mother and businesswoman.
“We just see us in a position of entrepreneurship, putting ourselves out there as individuals, and asserting our voices and beliefs,” she said in an announcement made on International Women’s Day. she stated.
Minister says funding will help reduce barriers
“This is the most difficult decision ever for a woman entrepreneur, and until you provide us with the support and environment to develop the ability to see ourselves in those places and spaces, I will continue to I feel like we can really move forward from there.” “
Valdez said she started her business after baking a cake for her daughter’s first birthday, but it was a struggle.
She said funding for new Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs would help alleviate some of the barriers they face.
“It’s not just about the money, it’s the opportunity that I feel will bring real tangible support, guidance and change.
“Who knows how far I could push myself in terms of the boundaries and obstacles I faced as an individual when I first started doing it?”
Mi’kmaw bead artist Andrea Dennis said she hopes other Indigenous women and young people will have the support they need to start a business, including access to capital and education. (Erin Potty/CBC)
Dennis, who has been selling his work at the Membertou Heritage Center for 10 years, teaches beadwork to people of all ages, but those who want to sell their art need to understand business concepts such as pricing. He said he needed to take some courses to learn about it. Markup.
She hopes other Indigenous women and young people will be able to access the funding they need to start work and learn quickly to feel confident in themselves.
“There is no time for embarrassment in this life,” Dennis said.
The federal government says there are more than 50,000 Indigenous-owned businesses in the country and this new funding will help up to 2,400 Indigenous women entrepreneurs access resources.
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