“It’s only his fourth day on the job, but he’s a thoroughbred,” Renee Greyeyes, president and CEO of Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba, said Friday. “The starter pistol sounded and he hit the ground running.”
Greyeyes said she met Madan at two events after he arrived in Winnipeg on June 23 for a week of meetings with Manitoba business sector leaders. Read More.
Last Thursday, the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Richardson Complex for the Environment & Science in downtown Winnipeg. The meeting opened with ceremonial drumming and welcoming remarks from Elder Barbara Nepinak, setting the tone for the day’s proceedings. Read More.
Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba preps ‘Launching Success for Leaders of Tomorrow’ luncheon. Read More.
Renee Greyeyes has kept tabs on Nations Royalty. The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba president considers it a “good model.”
“It does change the game for us,” Greyeyes said. “It puts Indigenous nations on the shareholders side of resource projects. It’s not just stakeholders and us being consultants anymore.”
She views Nations Royalty as a way to connect Indigenous people with capital market access, boosting finance, housing, health and education.
More Indigenous ownership in all sectors is key going forward, Greyeyes stressed. At least one local First Nation is working with the chamber to start its own mining project, Greyeyes hinted.
“When we talk about economic reconciliation, that’s it,” she said, adding she believes Nations Royalty is “moving us in the right direction.”
The issues of Canadian sovereignty, and which party will be most capable of handling U.S. President Donald Trump and the ongoing trade war, have overshadowed other issues that are important to Indigenous communities, says Renee Greyeyes, president and CEO of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba.
"At the federal level we haven't heard a whole lot … especially when it comes to Indigenous businesses or what supports are going to be there" during the campaign, now in its second week, she said in an interview.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce was proud to support the Retail Secure Manitoba Summit hosted by the Retail Council of Canada. The event was attended by business and industry leaders, members of the justice system, and elected officials including the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Matt Wiebe, the Mayor of Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham, and the Premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew. Several local chambers of commerce were also in attendance including the Renee Greyeyes, CEO & President, Indigenous Chamber of Commerce; Stefanie Dunn, Executive Director, Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and Kevin Selch from Little Brown Jug, who was sworn in as Board Chair of Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce last week. Read More.
An interview with Global News
In a recent interview with Global News, Acting Chair of Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Michelle Cameron spoke about hoping that collaboration across governments will open doors for Indigenous business owners. For the full interview, click here.
An interview with CBC
CBC Indigenous stopped by the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce office for an interview this October. For the full article, click here.
ICC receives funding to develop Indigenous Business Directory
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is pleased to announce the final projects receiving funding as part of the Government of Manitoba's $50-million Pandemic Long-Term Recovery Fund.
"The financial support, provided by the Government of Manitoba, will be used to support a number of key projects that will see benefits for Indigenous business owners, women entrepreneurs, and the tourism sector," said Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President and CEO Chuck Davidson. "This funding is an investment in key areas for key projects that will increase the knowledge base for better business, a better economy, and a better Manitoba."
"The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will receive $225,000 to design and develop an Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) and create a certification criteria and validation process to determine the level of Indigenous ownership within each company. There is currently no recognized database with a comprehensive list of Indigenous Manitoba-owned businesses, and the absence of an IBD limits the ability to have a clear line of sight into the Indigenous business community. As a result, governments, the ICC, or other organizations are unable to quickly gauge the size, composition, location, and overall value of Manitoba's Indigenous businesses, limiting their visibility and market visibility
."The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce is honored to work with the Government of Manitoba to bring together information related to Indigenous businesses across Manitoba. The Indigenous Chamber's vision is "Thriving Indigenous businesses in a growing Indigenous economy" and this is an excellent opportunity to highlight and showcase the many Indigenous economic success stories through an Indigenous business listing," said Indigenous Chamber of Commerce chair Vanessa Everett.
"The Indigenous Chamber can play an important role in acting as a central hub of Indigenous businesses information building on and enhancing the work of several Indigenous business entities already in existence. We look forward to collaborating with the many Indigenous economic stakeholders to ensure that Indigenous businesses are highlighted and identified as authentic Indigenous businesses as designated by the Indigenous business community," added Everett.
ICC in the News
- Indigenous business owners, women entrepreneurs, and the tourism sector to benefit from provincial long-term recovery fund: https://mbchamber.mb.ca/2023/08/03/indigenous-business-owners-women-entrepreneurs-and-the-tourism-sector-to-benefit-from-provincial-long-term-recovery-fund/
- Meet a member | Indigenous Chamber of Commerce: https://mbchamber.mb.ca/2023/06/21/meet-a-member-indigenous-chamber-of-commerce/
- Indigenous business crafts aim to uplift and support communities: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-business-crafts-1.6683808
- Indigenous women entrepreneurs in economic interactive spotlight: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/05/14/indigenous-women-entrepreneurs-in-economic-interactive-spotlight
- Premier Heather Stefanson focused on making Manitoba more competitive, providing hope and opportunity for the next generation: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/print,index.html?item=56688&posted=2022-10-19
- Manitoba Indigenous businesses to be featured at gala: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-s-aboriginal-businesses-to-be-featured-at-gala-1.2843822
- Municipal, provincial, and federal leaders meet to create 'more prosperous' Manitoba: https://globalnews.ca/news/10054528/municipal-provincial-federal-leaders-meet-manitoba-collaborate/
Additional Resources
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