b'ABORIGINAL BUSINESS REPORTHOW HAVE YOU SEEN and Mtis communities, from all areasand women through shared stories of THE MAGAZINE EVOLVE of Canada. I can also tell you that wereexperience, mentorship, and leading by OVER THE YEARS? excited about the regular sections weveexample. The issue was so popular we SANDY GENE added to the magazine, like our CEOcouldnt keep up with the demand for the Im fortunate to have been part of a greatQ&As, Art Meets Commerce and severalprint version, but we were able to market team that worked hard to grow a hubothers. Were working hard to upholdthe digital version with equal success. I of big ideas into a successful, thought- journalistic standardsI was a journalistthink this issue resonated with a lot of provoking publication. The aim was tofor 25 years with PostMedia. So accu- people because it was full of stories of highlight best business practices andracy, ethical coverage, fair and balancedinspiration, courage and strength, espe-in-depth conversations while continuingreporting and strong writing are all prior- cially during a time when we needed to benefit Indigenous business and theities for our team. Were looking forwardit most.current market environment. I proudlyto some new introductions in the coming watched it grow to four editions a year,year, including a holiday gift guide wellJP GLADUincorporate a comprehensive annualbe launching in conjunction with ABR asIt was the issue where we had Mark Little Indigenous business directory, promotewell as a new name for the magazine. of Suncor on the coverit marked a membership and drive traffic to CCABsturningpointfortheorganization programs and services. It expanded inJP GLADU because it was when the procurement size so much that we needed to hire moreAs the organization grew, so did its diver- campaigns came out and they had Indigenous writers! What a thrill it wassity, and so did the magnitude of theso much impact. It was about having when ABR was named the number oneentrepreneurs we were profiling in ABRcorporations commit to a five per cent Indigenous business magazine acrossand bringing to the table. The issuesIndigenous procurement target. It was the country by the Canadian Mediawere more complex, and you would seealso about influencing government Circulation Audit Board! that reflected in the magazines editorial.by showcasing the importance of our We had people wanting to be a part ofcompanies and our communities in SHANNON SUTHERLANDthe magazine, wanting to market in thethe supply chains of major firms. This magazine, and wanting their stories toldincluded firms like Suncorthe company Ive only been with CCAB a little over ain the magazine. The interest just grew,at the time was spending $750 million year, but when I look back, I still see thatand so did the impact. a year on Indigenous entrepreneurs. So the heart and soul of the magazine is thethat was a huge inflection point.same. We celebrate Indigenous businessWAS THERE A STORY OR ISSUE THAT as well as inform, challenge and enter- REALLY RESONATED WITH PEOPLE?tain. In the year Ive been working on it, weve had a real focus on providingSANDY GENErepresentation from First Nations, InuitThere were so many great issues and stories over the years, including editions that focused on Indigenous research, sport, energy, e-commerceeven an exclusive story about the Mikmaq purchase of a seafood empire. There was also a very popular edition on Indigenous women in business, published in the fall of 2020. It aimed to empower youth Its about using the publication as an influencing tool to showcase and educate, to dispel myths and fight ignorance. Thats what we need, especially in a world of so many mistruths.JP Gladu Former CCAB President & CEO68A CCAB PUBLICATIONSpring 2024'