b'the Time of COVID-19By Matthew Bradforddue to their close family ties. An outbreak could spread quickly under those conditions and could devastate the community.Recognizing these risks, Indigenous businesses are doing their part to keep communities safe, well-stocked, and prepared for the chal-lenges to come. Smiths employer, Cascade Projects, is a case in point. The company was set to deliver cultural awareness training to ATS Traffic, a traffic sign and safety company, when the pandemic struck. Instead, they teamed up to create an Emergency Response Program offering Indigenous communities free consultations and reduced rates on traffic control products and services. With the support of traffic control equipment, Indigenous leadership can implement traffic control and messaging measures such as restricted entry or refusal of visitors, says Smith. Chris Matheson, ATSs director of sales for Northern Alberta, adds: One of our priorities is to continue to develop our Indigenous aware-ness across the board as well as partner with communities on training and career development. [This initiative is] both aligned to our mission of helping to get people home safely every day and offers an oppor-tunity to forge lasting partnerships with Indigenous communities across Canada.CRITICAL SUPPLIESWhat has been most needed by communities are critical healthcare supplies such as disinfectants, masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Businesses moved quickly to leverageBC-based Ravens Brewing adapted its brewing operation to their business networks to provide access to these supplies.supply essential healthcare productsPaving the way to a prosperous future through self-reliant economic development in the north@Tlichoicwww.tlichoic.comAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT13'