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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Announces 2023 Recipients of the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund (IWEF)
TORONTO – October 5, 2023 – Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is proud to announce the successful completion of the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund (IWEF), as 20 deserving recipients from various fields and backgrounds receive a $2,000 grant.
IWEF was created to increase accessibility to financing for Indigenous women-owned businesses that have encountered systemic barriers effecting their business.
“Congratulations to the 2023 IWEF recipients. Their ongoing business ventures are a testament to the power of dedication and determination,” said Philip Ducharme, CCAB vice president of entrepreneurship and procurement. “Once again, a big thank you to LNG Canada and Paper Excellence for their continuous support and help to grow the Indigenous economy, and in particular, ensure Indigenous women entrepreneurs are full participants.”
The recipients were selected through a lottery system during a live draw hosted by CCAB. IWEF is graciously presented by LNG Canada with a contribution from Paper Excellence, and representatives from both companies were also in attendance.
“We are committed to empowering Indigenous women entrepreneurs and increasing accessibility to financing through the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund,” said Hope Regimbald, LNG Canada’s Indigenous and stakeholder relations lead. “Access to capital enables economic prosperity and growth opportunities for Indigenous women-owned businesses. LNG Canada is proud to work with Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business in its efforts to remove systemic barriers facing Indigenous women.”
The grant program, which launched three years ago, attracted an overwhelming response, with a remarkable number of outstanding applicants for the opportunity to receive funding.
“It’s so important to both our Indigenous relations program and our PE corporate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, that we continue to honor our commitment to lift up Indigenous women entrepreneurs and support the unique products and services they bring to the Canadian market. We are grateful that our membership with CCAB continues to foster valuable connections to Indigenous business across the country,” Lana Wilhelm, Director of Indigenous Relations.
The 2023 recipients selected were from across Canada, all of which are innovative women entrepreneurs, ranging from businesses in retail, food and beverage, accounting services, consultancy services and more. The businesses represented among the IWEF recipients displays how much potential Indigenous women have to be successful and tap into a variety of industries.
“Entrepreneurs face so much uncertainty. Will my offering remain viable? Will I be able to find the right team members, and support them as best I can? How can we best be of service?” said Shelby Corley, owner of Three Hive Consulting and 2023 IWEF recipient. “Having the support of CCAB and the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund helps to alleviate some of that uncertainty. I feel honoured to receive this grant to help advance Three Hive Consulting’s work, helping organizations that do good to do better.”
CCAB extends its sincere congratulations to all the grant recipients and expresses gratitude to the generous supporters who have invested in this program.
The entrepreneurship fund is administered through CCAB’s Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business (TFAB) program to enhance Indigenous entrepreneurship through providing access to development and networks.
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About Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information visit www.ccab.com.
About LNG Canada
The LNG Canada joint venture is building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada, in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. It will initially consist of two LNG processing units, referred to as “trains.” LNG Canada is a joint venture comprised of Shell plc, through its affiliate Shell Canada Energy (40%); PETRONAS, through its wholly-owned entity, North Montney LNG Limited Partnership (25%); PetroChina Company Limited, through its subsidiary PetroChina Kitimat LNG Partnership (15%); Mitsubishi Corporation, through its subsidiary Diamond LNG Canada Partnership (15%); and Korea Gas Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Kogas Canada LNG Partnership (5%). It is operated through LNG Canada Development Inc.
About Paper Excellence
Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers that owns 10 facilities in Canada producing over 3.0 million tonnes annually with a workforce of over 3,000. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.
For more information or to arrange interviews with former grant recipients, sponsors or CCAB staff, please contact:
Alannah Jabokwoam
Senior Associate, Communications & Public Relations
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
ajabokwoam@ccab.com
T: 416.961.8663 ext. 227