b'MEMBER TRIBUTEElaine and her two daughters, Tina Grant and Odessa Epp, horseback riding in Banff.Playing the Long GameBy Shannon SutherlandPaying tribute to long-serving network member Elaine ChambersW hen they win, she wins. But who are they? has invested decades into seeing generations of Indige-They are the many Indigenous-owned busi- nous entrepreneurs build great businesses.nesses that Elaine Chambers has supported,I love seeing our clients start businesses, grow, employ equipped and encouraged over the last others and support their families, says the proud mother 36 years. of two, grandmother of three and citizen of the Champagne Through her role with dna Nye Ventures (DNV) in Yukon,and Aishihik First Nations and of the Crow Clan. Our as a member of the National Aboriginal Capital Corpora- clients at DNV appreciate everything we do for them, and tions Association (NACCA) and in her positions with severalwhen I can walk down the street and say, Hey, thats a business we helped, its a great feeling.other organizations including the Council for the Advance-ment of Native Development Officers (Cando), ChambersChambers says seeing the businesses they have assist-ed over the years go on to win awards and earn national recognition is particularly fulfilling. Last year, she nominated two such businesses for awards. NACCA honoured both COMPLICE DE VOS RVES. nomineesKathline Isaac of Bearpaw Music & Gifts and Tshushimitutatinan aniteLeslie Walker of Walker Home Constructionwith awards e puamuieku at the annual Indigenous Prosperity Forum in Qubec. I was so excited for both of them, says Chambers from her Tu es Innu(e) et tu as un projetbright, cozy, wood-panelled office in Whitehorse. They de dmarrage, dexpansion ouworked so hard and have been so dedicated to their busi-dacquisition dentreprise.La CDEM peut taider !nesses. They really deserved it.www.cdem.ca Isaac received a business start-up loan from DNV in 2006 1005, Boul. Laure, bureau 110 and opened her first store in 2007. She also received UASHAT (Qubec) G4R 4S6 support from DNV to expand her business and open a Courriel : info@cdem.ca second location. Walker received assistance from the DNV Tl.: 418-968-1246 | SF : 1 800-463-2216 Entrepreneurship and Business Development Program and recently also received support to expand his company.24INDIGENOUS PROSPERITYIssue #1, 2023'