b'WHERE ARE THEY NOW?kids being broken apart from their siblings in foster homes, crying KEEPING IT REAL at the end of the school day when they have to leave each other Kendal Netmaker is quite theand go back to separate houses, says Netmaker. We all have success story, but the youngto make it a priority to give our children stable homes.entrepreneur and public speakerNetmaker knows what its like to come from a broken home. measures success by more thanHe was raised fatherless and spent too many nights with his just public accolades or the bottomyounger sisters in womens shelters. Today one of his sisters, line. It is multidimensional andKendra Weenie, an award-winning author, keynote speaker about staying true to your roots,and workshop facilitator, is also actively involved in helping he says.others. She has co-founded two non-profits: IndigiFund For Netmaker, success is found when(with Netmaker) and Crystals Gift, which assists single he goes home to his First Nation andmothers in need of gently used furniture items. he is no more, or no less, than the land he sets his feet on and the air thatFINDING THE BALANCEgives him his next breath. It is found inFor Netmaker, building a successful business has never his role as father, husband, son, brotherbeen just about turnover, awards or business milestones. It has and businessman, and it is found in hisbeen about hard work, with setbacks and challenges along the responsibilities as oskpwis (which translates into Englishway. When asked what he has had to learn the hard way, he as Elders helper, a helper at ceremonies).points to the hiring process as one of his greatest challenges Netmakers words of wisdom for others on the cusp ofearly on, saying he wasnt always in tune with his inner voice. business success? Be careful of letting it all go to yourToo often, says Netmaker, he ignored his own intuitionthe gut head. Dont stay on the mountaintop, he says. Itsfeeling that told him not to move forward with a business rela-addictive. When you win that award or reach that goal,tionship or that someone was not the right fit for his company. you should appreciate it, but dont linger there. DontIve learned to trust myself, he now says. I dont think it has think, This is it. Im here. Ive done it. Dont let egoever worked out when I just had a bad feeling about something drive you and dont think you know it all. Keep movingfrom the start.forward and looking ahead and thinking, Whats next?Balancing stress and mental health is another skill set that It was Netmakers kookum who taught him this: BeNetmaker has acquired with time. I had to learn what I could careful how you treat people, he said. Why? Is it becausehandle and what I should let goand I am talking about mental you might meet the people on the way down that youhealth here, he says. Its not just about what you can handle, stepped on while on your way up? No. That is the self- but what you can do and still be okay, still be mentally stable, serving and generic wisdom you find on the bumperstill be well. You always have to be working on yourself, taking stickers of over-priced Escalades. Be careful how youcare of yourself, checking yourself. If you dont, believe me, life treat people, because you dont know if its their lasthas a way of humbling you, triggering you and making sure day on earth. you deal with what you need to address. Its best to pre-empt Show respect. Be kind. Be humble. Know your impact.that if you can. That scared me, says Netmaker. It still does. And its not just about the one-on-one interactions. When ImWhen Netmaker was just starting out, there werent many speaking to an audience of a thousand, I still think of that.resources for young, aspiring entrepreneurs like himself launching For someone in that audience, it could be their last daytheir first business. Today, there is far more information and help on earth. My words or the way I make them feel couldavailable, and Netmaker is pleased to be part of that evolu-be felt or heard on their last day. tion. However, he cautions that the focus should not be solely on business success, nor should it come at the expense of This impact we have on each other is something Netmakercultural awareness. takes very seriously. It is the weight and wonder of the responsibility that he carries with him as a success When I started out, I had virtually no Indigenous mentors in everywhere, always. Dont linger on the mountaintop,business. It is very different now, and Im glad. But now we also he urges. There are more places to go. need to encourage each other to learn about our roots and our culture, he says. Go talk to the Elders. Dont forget your home fireyour children and your family. When youre happy at home, When I started out, you will do better in business, I guarantee it.I had virtually no IndigenousNetmaker maintains that the foundational teachings he bases his life on came from the matriarchs in his family. Honouring them remains one of his guiding principles. I try to tell the truth and mentors in business. be respectful. I want to honour my ancestors. Some of them died to give us these opportunities. Lets take every oppor-It is very different now tunityevery single one available to us. Use them to honour themour people. 86A CCAB PUBLICATION2023'