b'MEMBER TRIBUTEhelped to formally establish NACCAWhen asked about her proudestLeach still sees great importance in many years ago. It took a while for theachievement, Leach says it comesthe work of IFIs. I believe that, until organization to hit its stride, but [its]down to the success of others. See- Indigenous Peoples have parity in now doing fantastic work making theing the businesses that we supportedthis country in terms of employment case for more capital and emergencydoing well, providing needed goods,and income levels, there will always financing, especially during services and creating jobsthere isbe a need for IFIs to help our people the pandemic.nothing more rewarding as a managercreate their own jobs though busi-NACCA has also been proactive in theof an IFI than that.ness development, she concludes. promotion of financing for IndigenousIt is also great to be working withAs Indigenous Peoples, we can only businesses. They are doing the ad- third-generation entrepreneurs, rely on ourselves to build the path to vocacy work for the IFIs as originallyshe adds. economic prosperity through business planned [by] promoting the networkAfter so many years of working to development and activating ourof IFIs as not only a national, but ansupport Indigenous entrepreneurs,economic potential. international success story,Leach says.According to Leach, Waubetek has been integral to the financial health ofRainy Lake Tribal Area Businessthe region. [Waubetek] provides the& Financial Services Corporationability to provide much-needed invest-ments in Indigenous business, helpingis an Aboriginal Financial Institution to grow the regional economy, she(AFI), that provides Treaty #3 First states. In addition, Leach says thatNations with access to financing for Waubetek has proudly built Indige- First Nation-owned businesses, for nous capacity in the field of financestart-up or expansion of a business.through the development of our board and staff over the years.We also provide related services in the areas of:One of the main challenges Waubetek faces involves human resources.Business Management Skills There is a need for more IndigenousSupport Developmentpost-secondary graduates from ac-counting or business programs, saysPlanningTraining Leach. Finding Indigenous staff to fill key positions has been challenging. To help fill this gap, Waubetek is offer- rltabfsc@advisoryservices.caing bursaries for students in this field,www.rltabfsc.ca | 807-274-8531 but a more formal strategy needs to be undertaken to find ways to stream our people into this area of study, Leach says. Our communities also need people with financial expertise toInvesting in the Aboriginal support good governance and to help with community-operated business. Business Spirit!Geographic location in northern and remote communities can also poseWaubetek is an Aboriginal-owned & controlled unique challenges to entrepreneurs.organization that delivers business financing & economic In northern Ontario, our businessesdevelopment services to First Nations & Aboriginal continue to encounter hurdles suchbusinesses located throughout Northeastern Ontario. as broadband connectivity issues,We are a proud member of NACCA and the network of a lack of commercial space to leaseCommunity Futures Development Corporations in Canada.in our communities, high transporta- Our goal is to assist in strengthening the economies of tion costs and staff shortages, saysthe local First Nations and Canada through business & Leach. There is also the need to havecommunity development.good websites and the ability to sell goods and services when they do have connectivity. To help mitigate connectivity challenges, Leach ex-plains, We are hoping to implement a new e-commerce fund and profes-sional expertise to help them establish705-285-4275 waubetek@waubetek.com www.waubetek.com[enhanced] online sales platforms. Issue #1, 2023INDIGENOUS PROSPERITY 17'