b'LOCAL SUPPORTVOICESCCIB MEMBERS SHARE WHATBUYING INDIGENOUS MEANS TO THEM Are you buying Canadian and Indigenous products? Why or why not? Given the current trade climate, theres a growing push to buy Canadian, and supporting Indigenous products can play a significant role in this initiative. Youve heard it from the headlines. Now hear from the heart. These Indigenous and allied entrepreneurs arent just building businesses, theyre building futures, and heres what Buy Indigenous means to them in 2025.DARRELL BROWNPRESIDENT,KISIK COMMERCIAL FURNITURE INC., WINNIPEG, MBIt means Indigenous reciprocal supportsthis allows businesses to grow and sustain growth and thats how we will outlast the marketplace disruptions from tariff wars. [For instance] my company carries Canadian-made furniture and features the designs of Destiny Seymour at Indigo Arrows. She in turn supports me when her clients need commercial furniture. Thats how we growtogether.BETH CROWELLCEO,MAYDAY PRINT & SWAGSHOP INC., ATLANTIC CANADAWere deeply committed to supporting Canadian and Indigenous communities, actively pursuing local suppliers whenever feasible. However, certain product lines necessitate international sourcing. We also maintain a strong preference for ethically produced goods. Were particularly honoured by our collaborations with local and Indigenous artists for significant campaigns such as Orange Shirt Day and MMIWG2S+. These partnerships are invaluable, enabling us to amplify crucial messages and demonstrate our dedication to community engagement. Theyre our most important initiatives, and we ensure that all artwork is created by compensated Canadian Indigenous artists, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Indigenous charities.ALIDA BURKE & COREY ELLISCO-FOUNDERS,GROWCER, OTTAWA, ONNot only is it important to shop local, but to grow local too. Were proud to support growers using Growcers modular farms to grow fresh produce year-round. Their work is particularly important these days because we import 90 per cent of our leafy greens from the U.S. You can also find Indigenous-grown greens from coast to coast to coast, like Montana First Nations Akamihk Fresh in Alberta, and Nipissing First Nations Mnogin Greenhouse in Northern Ontario. Growing locally allows dollars to stay local, reduces emissions from importing food, and protects businesses from supply chain shocks. Its a great example of how investing in local food infrastructure pays dividends down the road for community and economic development.Indigenous BUSINESS REPORT27'