b'MEMBER TRIBUTEElaine has always offered support and encouragement when it comes to economic development, business development and personal growth, says Walker. She makes time to sit down with a person, listen to their story and offer advice and guidance. Shes dedicated to helping young and old people to progress and has been a pillar of our communi-ty, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, in helping us advance our governance structures and economic development. Even if Elaine and I dis- Kael Epp, Jayla agreed on a topic, we could alwaysEpp, Odessa Epp, sit down over a coffee and shareElaine Chambers our points of view without judgment.and Brielle Epp Elaine is what I consider a true leaderin Champagne, and mentor to our people. I greatlyYukon.appreciate our relationship.Chambers has put in the years, theand 2015 after being selected for thethough, and spend more time with my work and the heart to help Indige- founding Board of Directors in 1997.family on the land hunting, boating nous-owned businesses such asShe was re-elected as the represen- and berry picking.these overcome obstacles and movetative for Yukon, Northwest Territories forward with sustainable strategiesand Nunavut Region in 2020 and hasBoth of Chambers daughters have and sound financial planning.served as chair, treasurer followed in her footsteps with suc-and secretary. cessful careers in finance, and sheWe have honest conversations withHer ties to the land she loves areis grateful for the role she has inentrepreneurs about what they wantstrong. Chambers was born in White- their lives and the lives ofand what they really need, she says.horse and makes it clear she has noher grandchildren.Some of them dont have the cashintentions of ever leaving. My own grandmother was a great in-equity or they dont have the train-ing, so they find that out, and thenPeople keep asking me when Imfluence for me, and I learned tradition-maybe theyll go work for a little whilegoing to retire, she says with aal ways from her, and I hope to do the longer, save some cash or go back tolaugh, admitting that more than threesame for my grandchildren, she says. school, but its all part of the process.decades in finance is indeed a longI have spent my whole life on the go, We are here to walk with them. time. But Im not ready to stop yet. Iand I love it. Theres still lotsWayne Gray, an Aboriginal Entre- do want to take better care of myself,to do.preneurship Program Committee member with NACCA, says he met Chambers when the Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) first got together to discuss the formationof NACCA. I have always found her to be a quiet individual, but whenever we had a discussion, I thought she always listened attentively, and when she offered a reply, it was always well thought out and made per-fect sense, he says. I believe her greatest attribute is her longevity. IFIRST NATION ENTREPRENEURS WANTING TO DEVELOP am sure that there is no one who hasBUSINESSES IN SASKATCHEWAN HAVE SIEF.managed the same IFI for as long as Elaine. During this time, she hasFor more than 35 years, SIEF has been growing the First Nation entrepreneurial and business spirit by being leaders contributed immensely to the growthin providing innovative financial products and services. We202 Joseph Okemasis Driveof NACCA as a board member. She isprovide commercial and agricultural lending and deliver businessSaskatoon, Saskatchewanone of the true pioneers of IFI growthdevelopment programs as well as business consulting services. S7N 1B1 in Canada. SIEF staff look forward to learning more about your business needswhether you are starting a business, acquiring a(306) 955-4550 Chambers served multiple terms onbusiness or expanding an existing business in Saskatchewan. WWW.SIEF.SK.CAthe NACCA board between 1997Issue #1, 2023INDIGENOUS PROSPERITY 25'