b'BUSINESS LEADERSGETTING THE RIGHT ADVICE:DESIREE NORWEGIANDesiree Norwegian is founder and CEO of AtundaINDIGENOUS WOMEN Inc., a young company that will specialize in Indigenous engagement for a clean energy future.IN BUSINESSFor Norwegian, the goal is to tap into her passion for Indigenous engagement, rights, equality and reconciliation, gender diversity and a clean energyA STATISTICAL PORTRAITfuture. Our people were put on Mother Earth to protect her and teach all, and this is exactly what I plan to work and strive towards, she says.More Indigenous women are Its a tall order, but one that Norwegian has theembracing business careers, experience and know-how to deliver. She is theand the numbers are bearing former co-owner of Abraflex (2004) Ltd., a manu- this out. facturer of personal protective equipment for theA 2012 study by Sonya Gulati nuclear power generation industry and the first andfor the TD Economics Specials only Indigenous company to have a Waste Nuclearseries titled Canadas Small Substance Licence. She is also treasurer of theand Medium-Sized Business Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)Owners: Diverse Society in a and the Work Wellness and Disability PreventionMicrocosm found that about 51 Institute (WWDPI) and sits on the CCAB Board.per cent of Aboriginal-owned small- and medium-sized enter-An Indigenous woman with a history of pushingprises (SMEs) belonged partly boundaries, Norwegians reputation as a trailblazeror wholly to women.was built on a lifetime of embracing change andCCABs Promise and Prosperity, keeping a flexible mindset to the ever-changingThe 2016 Aboriginal Businessservices, and health care. whims of the business world. You need to keep anSurvey, notes that businessesMany of these industries have open mind, because things are constantly changing,owned by women are morebeen among the hardest hit even when you dont expect them to, she explains.likely to be sole proprietorships,during COVID-19. but that Aboriginal womenIndigenous women were less A member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, Norwegian(and older entrepreneurs) arelikely to report an increase in was working as an accountant (she has her CPA desig- more likely to have accessedtheir gross sales revenues nation) for the City of Wawa in Ontario, when sheU.S. and international markets. (36%, compared to 44%). had an opportunity to join Abraflex, then a young company. Not only did it mark a career transition, itHere are some additional I ndigenouswomenare required some quick decision-making about movingfigures from a WEKH-CCABsignificantly less likely to use to a more southerly location near Owen Sound. AWomen Entrepreneurs study,personal and business loans firm believer that you really have to dedicate your- with data from 2016:to finance their business, and self to forward movement in order to succeed,Most women-owned busi- less likely to use Indigenous Norwegian accepted the offer and hasnt lookednessesaresolepropri- lending agencies and capital back. I absolutely made the right choiceweetorships(67%),havenocorporations. really built Abraflex from nothing, she says today. employees (70%), are First Nations (50%) or Mtis (49%), Thetopchallengesare Her career success, notes Norwegian, all startedoperate from the home (69%),marketing difficulties, poor with a good education, and then grew with theand are located off-reserve.economy, and not being fully help of mentors and inspirational people, espe- These are similar to rates ofcommitted to the business/cially women, encouraging her to move in the rightmens companies.part time.direction. You personally have to have your own I ndigenous women have fewerWomen are more likely to board of directors, people you can call on for anyemployees compared to men,seek both formal and informal business or human resources question, she says.but have a higher percentageadvice for their business. They The biggest thing is mentorsthat alone is greatof Indigenous employeesalso rank community relation-for your own self-esteem, and you need self-esteem(61% compared to 51% onships as most important to in order to make decisions and take risks. Thereaverage).their business success, and are great people out there who are truly lookingare more likely to use govern-for people to succeedfind them, talk to them. Women are overrepresentedment financial support for in arts and recreation, retail,employment, training, and Norwegian also advocates sticking to goals andaccommodations, educationalapprenticeships.welcoming educated risks. You have to work for what you want. If theres something around, you have 10A CCAB PUBLICATION2020'