Building Tomorrow: ICC Luncheon Showcases Growing Indigenous Economic Impact

On Thursday, May 29, the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) proudly hosted its highly anticipated Luncheon at the RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg. Drawing hundreds of guests from across the province, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government representatives, the event once again marked the ICC’s growing role in fostering Indigenous economic development and entrepreneurship in Manitoba.

The luncheon began with opening remarks from ICC board member Christopher Henry. In his address, Henry spoke passionately about the ICC’s mission to advance Indigenous business leadership, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration, mentorship, and the continued growth of Indigenous-owned enterprises across all sectors.

In the afternoon, the panel discussion was moderated by Noah Wilson, Business Development Manager at Futurpreneur. Wilson guided an engaging and heartfelt conversation with the three dynamic panelists, Emilie McKinney, Rayel Smoke, and Darion Ducharme, owing to his longstanding relationship with all three.

Each panelist spoke about their foray into the business world; discussing the inspirations behind their work, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their visions for the future. Their stories sparked reflection and motivation among attendees, offering tangible examples of what Indigenous entrepreneurship looks like in action today.

Smoke remarked that she had never intended to be an entrepreneur and that her company, Nina Waste Events, co-founded with her sister, was born out of years of careful deliberation during her employment in the marketing sector.

McKinney, owner of Anishinaabe Bimishimo, a cone manufacturer for Indigenous regalia, said she started her journey in high school where she would handroll thousands of cones before eventually formalizing her operation.

Ducharme, who owns Teqare, an IT company servicing Indigenous communities, highlighted the struggles of navigating uncertainty as an entrepreneur but emphasized the importance of perseverance. “You will get rejected many times, but eventually someone will say yes” he added.

Originally scheduled to deliver the keynote address, Minister of Natural Resources Ian Bushie was unable to attend due to the ongoing state of emergency caused by widespread wildfires across the province.

In his absence, Minister of Finance Adrien Sala stepped in to deliver remarks on behalf of the provincial government, acknowledging the growing impact of Indigenous entrepreneurs in the province. He highlighted opportunities the government is undertaking to support business development programs and efforts to reduce systemic barriers facing Indigenous business owners.

Adding a moment of reflection to the afternoon, Elder Norman Meade was invited to share important remarks with the attendees. Elder Meade spoke about the spiritual and cultural dimensions of entrepreneurship, encouraging attendees to embrace their inner drive and creative spirit, “each of you has that spirit within you — the spirit of entrepreneurship; the most important thing is that you never lose it.”

To conclude the day, guests were invited to participate in a raffle for three original art pieces created by talented local Indigenous artists. The draw was a fitting end to an event that celebrated culture, creativity, and community.

The ICC extends its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who made the 2025 Luncheon a resounding success. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive economy rooted in Indigenous innovation and leadership.