b'AGMPhoto credit: Bill Williams.NACCA in the North By Nikita DayFive IFIs partner with NACCA for upcoming AGM in NunavutT he National Aboriginal Capi- BAFFIN BUSINESS between the five IFIs in Nunavut, we tal Corporations AssociationDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION often share clientswe refer people (NACCA) is a network of moreThe Baffin Business Developmentback and forth. Theres a nice amount than 50 Indigenous Financial Institu- Corporation (BBDC) is a not-for-profitof services for entrepreneurs, [from] big tions (IFIs) across Canada. In total,corporation in the Qikiqtaaluk region ofbusinesses down to the smallestthese IFIs have provided 52,781 loansNunavut. Their mandate is to providesole proprietor. totalling $3.3 billion to businessesfinancial assistance and advisory ser- Kosmenkos board is around 75-per-owned by First Nations, Mtis andvices to new or expanding businesses.cent Indigenous, and when it comes to Inuit peoples. This September, NACCAFor Valerie Kosmenko, who has beenmaking decisions, its always through will be hosting its AGM in Iqaluit forwith BBDC for 22 years and is nowthe lens of supporting and helping Inuit the first time evera collaborativethe general manager, its always beenpeople grow and prosper. We all know effort between NACCA and five Nun- about partnerships. While Nunavut is athat its important for Indigenous people avut-based IFIs dedicated to servinghuge territory, the population is modestto make decisions about Indigenous Indigenous businesses in the North.totalling about 40,000 people spreadpeople, says Kosmenko. The BBDC is Below is a look at the work these IFIsacross five communities.currently participating in the Inuit wom-are doing and how theyre servicingWe work hard, but we have lots ofens entrepreneurship program and their local communities. partners, Kosmenko stresses. Evenworking with Catalyste+ on an advisor 14INDIGENOUS PROSPERITYIssue #1, 2024'