Stories From The Circle

Chef Jenni Lessard, an Indigenous entrepreneur and culinary consultant at Inspired By Nature Culinary Consulting, shares her journey of building and growing businesses rooted in her Métis heritage and culinary passion. Jenny recounts her early experiences, from starting her first venture at age 14 to opening her own restaurant and now operating a culinary consulting business.

This interview features Jason Cardinal, a multi-talented entrepreneur, community advocate and lead of Flying Dust First Nation Market Garden. Jason discusses his experience in founding and managing various ventures, including Flying Dust Honey Farm, Flying Dust Market Garden, and Emberstone Fusion Kitchen. His businesses focus on sustainability, traditional knowledge, and community development, with an emphasis on connecting agricultural practices to Indigenous values.

Cree Cheechoo, a dedicated Indigenous Entrepreneur Program Director, shares her experiences and perspectives on the unique challenges faced by Indigenous business owners in Canada. With nearly a decade of experience supporting entrepreneurs, Cree provides an in-depth discussion on the barriers to accessing capital, the importance of business education, and the complexities of navigating competition and market sustainability.

Destiny Houshte, co-owner of Bangin' Bannock, shares her inspiring journey from a social work background to becoming an impactful Indigenous entrepreneur. Destiny delves into the challenges she has faced, including navigating federal language regulations, overcoming barriers in distribution, and addressing infrastructure gaps for Indigenous businesses. Destiny provides valuable insights into staying true to one's values while scaling a business.

Nikki and George Villeneuve, co-founders of BuzFoods and Meat Trailer, share their journey of building a business focused on producing high-quality, cost-efficient meat products such as bacon, sausages, and sausage sticks. Based in Emma Lake, Saskatchewan, their business reflects a commitment to local and agricultural sustainability, launched to address rising grocery prices and to provide affordable food options to their community.

Shelley Pinacie owner of Napakawin Strategic Solutions and a respected Indigenous businesswoman, shares her journey as a trailblazing entrepreneur across numerous industries. Shelley offers deeply personal insights into her resilience and determination to succeed, emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself, seeking support from a chosen community, and embracing cultural teachings as guiding principles.

Destiny Millar, a dedicated entrepreneur with eight years of experience in the food and hospitality industry. She shares her journey from managing a family-owned restaurant to her current role as manager of Waters Edge Eco Lodge. Destiny's story highlights the challenges and triumphs of operating restaurants in remote areas, tackling financial constraints, and balancing parental responsibilities while running a business.

Marlin Wusk, owner of MarMar Media, shares his inspiring journey of transforming a passion for photography and videography into a thriving business. Based out of Onion Lake Cree Nation, Marlin discusses how he started with a hobby and, through education and determination, built a flourishing media company offering photography, videography, and photo booth services. His story showcases the power of turning what you love into a meaningful career

Barbara Frazer, a Cree Knowledge Systems Educator, who shares her journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur dedicated to preserving and sharing cultural knowledge. Barbara discusses the unique challenges she faces in balancing traditional Indigenous knowledge with contemporary business structures, including issues around business classification, funding models, and the need for relationship-building with community partners.