b'MASS_NRG_B_Bleed_Mask_Op1COVER STORYIndigenous communities, especially rural and remote communities, are vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic for multiple reasons - higher levels of poverty, limited or inadequate healthcare, poor living conditions, overcrowding and their exposure to multiple generations due to their close family ties Allison Smith, Cascade Projects Ltd.Ravens Brewing and Distilling Company in Abbotsford, B.C., is a CAB member that adapted its operations to boost supply of essential healthcare products. In the pandemics early days, the B.C. brewery halted its regular production to produceOn the way to a high-proof sugar wash to distill into ethanol to make hand sanitizer. To do sostronger futureit ramped up to a 24-hour production cycle and retrained staff to mix and package the in-demand product. It also had to apply for formula approval and the necessary licences to produce hand sanitizer.In addition to expanding supply, Ravens Brewing donated hand sanitizer to the BC Cancer agency at its local hospital and has been working with community caregivers to provide its sanitizer at a reduced price to frontline healthcare workers. The craft brewery team is also committed to deliv-ering the sanitizer to Indigenous commu-nity members unable to leave their homes. The switch to produce hand sanitizer has been beneficial to the community as well as to our employees, says Paul Sweeting,We are honoured to work with CC\x10\x0f owner and operator with Ravens Brewing. [Its] allowed us to keep our employeesin helping to ensure the success of employed and busy. And if we can help ourIndigenous entrepreneurs.employees by keeping them employed, we can hopefully help keep their fami- As Canada works toward economic recoverylies healthy and reduce the stress of thethis year, Indigenous businesses will be vitalcurrent situation. to this effort. At a time when its never beenBack in Ontario, Abraflex is another CABmore important, we will continue to be a bankmember that is doing its part to get vitalthat supports the resilience and prosperity ofPPEs and other supplies to areas whereIndigenous businesses.they are needed. As a manufacturerTogether we can create a strong,of protective garments for the nuclearsustainable future.industry, the manufacturer is working alongside Bruce County and Bruce Power,To learn more about RBC a CCAB patron member, to retool part ofvisit rbc.com/indigenousits plant to make safety gowns for health-care workers. Strengthening our commu-nity is at the forefront of what we do, says / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. VPS107156 124946 (05/2020)Desiree Norwegian, CCAB board member Shelf Ad 100% of Final SizeCCAB July 2020 4.583 x 7Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT15107156 AD 124946_CCAB July 2020 4.583x7_0520_E.indd 1 None 5/8/20 2:46 PM107156 AD 124946_CCAB July 2020 4.583x7_0520_E. 4.833 x 7.25None4.583 x 7NoneNone'