In early 2024 the team travelled to Akwesasne Territory to learn about daily life in Akwesasne and what entrepreneurship looks like in the community.

In this episode your hosts Andre Spence and Afaf Ghazi recount the team's experiences in the community. Hear from community leaders Jason Lazore and Troy Thompson about the challenges of living in a unique area. We had the opportunity to help develop multimedia skills for Camryn and Alden, a couple of Mohawk high school students.

While in Akwesasne we met with many entrepreneurs including lacrosse stick makers Lewis and Doreen Mitchell, Kelly Back, who turns beadwork into a business and a form of healing, and artist Kit Thomas, who discusses their work as a platform for Indigenous and LGBTQIA2S advocacy.

Funding support from ⁠⁠CEWIL Canada⁠⁠.

Supported by Futurpreneur

With institutional support from ⁠⁠Durham College⁠⁠.

Music by ⁠⁠Penguin Music⁠⁠.

Sometimes we just need a little push. Being successful is about taking that next step, but what is that next step?

We asked our interviewees what they would say to a young person trying to start out in the complicated world of business.

In episode three, Chris Schnedler and Afaf Ghazi go over the words of advice given by the entrepreneurs featured in Founders Drive Season Two, and also share some of the resources found along the way.

Hear from Zechariah James, Tamara Green, Brandon Nolan and Jenn Harper what they think new business owners should keep in mind before setting out. Each guest touches on different aspects of becoming a business owner, from financials to personal and professional connections.

Links:

https://www.ncct.on.ca/

https://3nolans.com/

https://tamaragreen.wixsite.com/indigenesis

https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/

Funding support from ⁠⁠CEWIL Canada⁠⁠.

Supported by Futurpreneur

With institutional support from ⁠⁠Durham College⁠⁠.

Music by ⁠⁠Penguin Music⁠⁠.

Education is key! Which kinds of education leads to success? How do we learn? Though some might define success through money or individual accolades, the Indigenous entrepreneurs that we spoke with emphasize the importance of community and cultural education in a successful business.

In this episode, your hosts Navraj Sandhar and Megan Foster challenge the individualistic image often associated with entrepreneurship and explore how Indigenous entrepreneurship is driven by community various methods of communal and cultural education.

We hear from Jacob Crane again about creating spaces where Indigenous students can connect with elders, mentors and each other. We discuss how important it is to face challenges together, and how Indigenous businesses strive to bring their communities along for the ride.

We also take a look at Nav’s conversation with Brandon Nolan of 3Nolans, a hockey school designed for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit youth to develop skills and become leaders and role models, using education and community bonding as the foundation for what they do.

We met Zechariah James at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and discussed ways to contribute to reconciliation and help foster self-sufficiency and economic empowerment for Indigenous communities to help create a sustainable cycle where success fuels more success.

Funding support from ⁠⁠CEWIL Canada⁠⁠.

Supported by Futurpreneur

With institutional support from ⁠⁠Durham College⁠⁠.

Music by ⁠⁠Penguin Music⁠⁠.