b'OP-EDcommits us to promoting it throughIndigenous entrepreneurs could notthat Indigenous Peoples also have advocacy with the government andotherwise access. By joining forces,equal access to the transformative the corporate sector. NACCA has alsoour partnerships provide essentialpotential of technology. We, too, can established an Indigenous Prosperitysupports, including access to capital,thrive, contribute and shape Canadas Foundation (IPF) to invest in edu- business training and mentorship. Ulti- digital future.cation, support and mentorship formately, they can serve as a catalyst for early-stage underserved Indigenousmore equitable and inclusive societies.Shannin Metatawabin is a member of entrepreneurs. Those that the Foun- As we move further into a digitalthe Peetabeck First Nation of the Mush-dation supports are largely youth andfuture, it is crucial to ensure thatkegowuk tribal territory. He is CEO of women, who often come from com- access to digital technology is avail- the National Aboriginal Capital Corpo-munities in rural or remote locationsable for all Indigenous entrepreneurs.rations Association (NACCA), a national with limited digital access. By prioritizing digitization and connec- network of over 50 Indigenous Financial One of the IPFs four pillars is totivity in our programs and advocacy,Institutions (IFIs) that provide business promote access to digital tools andNACCA is taking active steps towardsloans to First Nations, Mtis ande-commerce. The Foundation willrealizing digital equity. We can ensureInuit entrepreneurs.support participating entrepreneurs to build and market their businesses through e-commerce and will work to enhance digital access, including establishing high-speed internet Wi-Fi hubs and technology libraries, provid-ing grants for home computers and mobile devices, and offering resources and training to develop websites and e-commerce platforms. I encourage any Indigenous person who might be interested in becoming an entrepreneur to explore the IPF and its offerings. Come visit ADAAWE, the Indigenous Business Hub, either online at adaawe.ibhub.ca or at NACCAs head office on traditional Algonquin territory. Where our future as Indigenous businesses lies in the digital realm, the IPF can help you embrace it.Partnerships play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide through sup-port and awareness. This past June, I had the privilege of presenting at the Collision Conference in Toronto. Some have called this prestigious event the Olympics of Tech. The conference is hosted by DMZ, a world-leading incubator for tech start-ups. DMZ has made it a priority to foster Indigenous tech start-ups. The potential of Indig-enous entrepreneurs in this sector is largely untapped, due to the current state of digital inequity. Businesses showcased at the Collision Confer-ence are beacons of inspiration for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Partnerships like the one NACCA shares with DMZ help generate opportunities for Indigenous entrepre-neurs. Focused on co-creation, such partnerships are examples of reconcil-iation in actionthey build capacity, dismantle stereotypes and biases, and provide access to opportunities thatIssue #2, 2023INDIGENOUS PROSPERITY 19'