b'WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Eventually, they hired an apprenticeJolicoeur attributes the companyssaying we are an opportunity company and then, as Jolicoeur fondly recalls,success to doing good work and main- for Indigenous peoples.one day we got a break. A friendtaining strong core values. Most notably, working at an engineering firm withhis aim for the business was neverJolicoeursupbringinginan purely about monetary successit wasIndigenous family and his extensive CP Rail as a major client helped Carvelabout making a difference in the lives ofcollaboration with Indigenous Nations secure a contract with the rail giantIndigenous peoples. When I took overhave shaped his unwavering compas-as an industrial contractor. Then wein 2013, we had to ask ourselves: whatssion for Indigenous peoples and deep got on the Trans Mountain Expansion.our objective at Carvel? The answerunderstanding of their challenges. [and] it was little stepping-stones,was clear: creating opportunities forHe acknowledges the importance of Jolicoeur recalls, noting that this initialIndigenous peoples to thrive as trades- hunting seasons and other culturally people and making Carvel a platformsignificant events like Sundance, and success led to other industrial clientsfor success, Jolicoeur explains. Wehe genuinely appreciates the need to like ATCO, Suncor and Lafarge.are doing the work and take pride inaccommodate cultural heritage within T:4.583" a work environment. By fostering an atmosphere of cultural sensitivity and adaptability, Carvel Electric aims to create a workplace that both respects and values the diverse experiences and traditions of its team members.Reflecting on Carvel Electrics journey WHEN YOUR COMPANYfrom 2013 to the present, Jolicoeur GENERATES JOBSacknowledges that scaling a busi-ness is not easy, especially with the AND PROSPERITYage-old challenge of taking on larger projects. He shares the essential ques-IN YOUR COMMUNITYtions entrepreneurs need to ask them-selves: When do you invest in your company? How do you invest if you have no money? How do you allocate resources to health and safety? To facilitate growth, Carvel reached out to Apeetogosan (Mtis) Development, anorganizationcommittedto providing sustainable funding solu-tions to Alberta Mtis businesses to acquire essential equipment for largerT:7"projects, such as tools and trucks. Apeetogosan Development is part ofa network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) across Canada that specialize in providing capital to Indigenous entrepreneurs, who often face challenges vastly different from mainstream businesses.Get the nancing you need to condently take on more contracts and serve more international clients.In addition to pumping capital into Learn how your Indigenous business can go global with supportthe company to facilitate its growth and expansion, Jolicoeur also attri-from EDC. butes his success to a profound sense of passion. With utmost conviction, Visit edc.ca/indigenous-business he urges aspiring entrepreneurs to seek out an industry that ignites excite-ment, presents ongoing challenges andcaptivatestheirunwavering commitment. The journey involved in running a business transcends mere participation in the industry, he says. It entails actively contributing to the construction and evolution of 60A CCAB PUBLICATION2023DG15974-05 Aboriginal Business Report ENG.indd None1 Trade Gothic LT Std, BentonSans EDC None None Aboriginal Business Report 4.583" x 7" None 5-17-2023 6:56 AM 4.583" x 7" NoneJeaous.Chau CMYKTiffany.Punnett 100%'