OTTAWA (ON), October 20, 2022 /CNW/ – The National Association of Aboriginal Capital Corporations (ANSAC) is thrilled to launch its Aboriginal Business Center. It includes Ottawa.IBHub.ca, an online platform to grow the Canadian economy, and ADAAWE, a business hub for Indigenous entrepreneurs to come together and grow their businesses. The launch will take place on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the NACCA head office at 338 Somerset Street West in Ottawa. NACCA is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions dedicated to driving economic growth for all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
“It’s only fitting that our latest initiative is being launched in celebration of Small Business Week,” says Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of NACCA. “This hub provides online and physical spaces for Indigenous entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to succeed. Small Aboriginal businesses provide jobs and income for business owners, important services to our communities, and significant contributions to the Canadian economy.
ADAAWE will provide space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to congregate and access in-person supports. Beneath a beautiful custom mural by a Saugeen First Nation artist Emily Kewageshig, ADAAWE will provide work and collaboration spaces, technical and business libraries, and a residence for seniors and entrepreneurs. The space will also provide visiting Indigenous entrepreneurs with supports, learning events and platforms to prepare their businesses for success.
ADAAWE received its name from Claudette Commanda, the Elder-in-Residence at the Hub, who is an Algonquin Anishinaabe Elder and Knowledge Keeper. “The Algonquin Anishinaabe word ‘adaawe’ means ‘to trade’ or a place of trade,” said Elder Claudette Commanda. “The spirit and intent of this ADAAWE is to provide a welcoming, safe and invigorating space for Indigenous people in business to share ideas, seek support and offer assistance. The exchange of strengths, challenges, best practices, knowledge and solutions is essential to ensure that Indigenous entrepreneurship is an ongoing process for First Nations, Inuit and Métis business communities that contributes to the overall success of from Canada economy.”
Sun Tenasco, entrepreneur, author, and water activist, joined the ADAAWE team as Entrepreneur-in-Residence, tasked with rallying and supporting local Indigenous entrepreneurs through monthly meetups at the Hub. “This area has some incredible Indigenous-owned businesses,” said Sun Tenasco. “Our vision is to build a community of Indigenous entrepreneurs who work and grow together with the support of the Indigenous business and economic development community, partners and allies.
Like all initiatives of NACCA and the Indigenous Financial Institutions Network, our Hub will provide practical ways to foster Indigenous self-reliance and promote economic reconciliation. This important initiative will strengthen the Indigenous presence in the economy, contributing to the implementation of the key economic prosperity calls of the National Indigenous Economic Strategy (niestrategy.ca).
For more information on the IBHub and ADAAWE, please visit Ottawa.IBHub.ca. For more information about NACCA and the National Network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions, please visit our website at NACCA.ca.
SOURCE National Association of Aboriginal Capital Corporations
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