NACCA

Fran Rogers is a member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the founder of The Bead Lodge in Grande Prairie, Alberta. In this video, she shares how selling beads from her basement grew through markets, powwows, and the Fire Circle program into a 3,000 sq ft retail space carrying authentic beadwork, moccasins, textiles, and artwork by local Indigenous makers. Guided by matriarchal teachings, Fran built more than a store: a welcoming hub where women, youth, and emerging artists can see there is space for them.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/9dFDdTGa7DA

Meet IWI speaker Dr Hinemoa Elder, child and adolescent psychiatrist and bestselling author whose leadership in Indigenous mental health and Māori wisdom for wellbeing will anchor a powerful conversation in Vancouver. IWI Indigenous Women in Industry, led by Rise Global in partnership with NACCA, runs from September 28 to 30.

Register now at IWI Global: https://iwiglobal.ca/

EntrepreNorth Indigenous Tourism BC Coralus Indigenous Innovation Initiative - I3 Export Development Canada - Exportation et développement Canada Pow Wow Pitch Supply Nation Amotai Native Women Lead

Barriers to Indigenous economic development still limit access to capital and opportunity. At the Rural Development Indigenous Partnerships panel in PEI, NACCA CEO, Shannin Metatawabin highlighted the path forward. "Indigenous Financial Institutions are working to remove barriers by keeping capital in communities, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, and building long-term prosperity. When capital flows, projects gain committed partners with deep community ties which builds solid economic foundations and stronger partners in development."

Pictured:
Hon. Ernie Hudson, Minister of Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism, Government of PEI,
Mike Randall, Executive Director, Lennox Island Development Corporation,
Hon. Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State,
Shannin Metatawabin, NACCA CEO
Tylour Gould, CEO, Abegweit Development Inc.

NACCA was honoured to host Minister Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, and Secretary of State for Small Businesses and Tourism yesterday. Minister Valdez met with Kevin Rose, Chief Strategy Officer, and Magnolia Perron, Director, Strategy & Partnerships to tour the office, ADAAWE Business Hub space and discuss opportunities for Indigenous tourism and Indigenous women entrepreneurs. Thank you for joining us!

Meet the artist behind IWI 2026! Tracey Metallic Mi’gmaw Couture ia an artist from Listuguj and she just donated her stunning Sisterhood artwork to our IWI Indigenous Women in Industry conference this fall in Vancouver. Thank you for your generous gift, Tracey.

See you there, ladies! https://iwiglobal.ca/

"Our greatness is not in who we once were, but in who we are destined to become." - Tracey Metallic

Thank you NACCA Minister Rebecca Alty and Senator Patti LaBoucane-Benson for meeting with our team from NACCA. Indigenous prosperity happens when strong relationships are built and clear goals defined.

Meet IWI speaker Bobbie Racette, Cree Métis and q***r founder of Virtual Gurus, who grew an inclusive talent marketplace from a 300 dollar idea into a multimillion dollar acquisition and is now building Tapwi to support underserved founders. IWI Indigenous Women in Industry, created by Rise Global in partnership with NACCA, takes place in Vancouver from September 28 to 30.

Register now at IWI Global: https://iwiglobal.ca/

EntrepreNorth Indigenous Tourism BC Coralus Indigenous Innovation Initiative - I3 Export Development Canada - Exportation et développement Canada Pow Wow Pitch Supply Nation Amotai Native Women Lead