b'NAVIGATING BARRIERSthe Women Entrepreneurship entrepreneurship training and highlighting Pamela Devonshire, Strategys (WES) Ecosystem Fund for support plans. Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte citizen Southern Ontario. Barberstock says Kwe-Bizs program- and founder of Lightning Spark Books, Okwaho Equal Source is plan- ming is 10-per-cent Indigenous-led byand Melissa Kramer, Berens River First ning to expand entrepreneurshipexperienced entrepreneurs and subjectNation citizen and founder and gallerist support services after March 31, 2023matter experts in business develop- of MAK Gallery in Gananoque, Ont., to be inclusive of Indigenous men andment, entrepreneurship and innovation.as notable examples. One of the main Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ in Ontario,Additional information is availablegoals for Okwaho Equal Source (and says Shyra Barberstock, President andonline at www.kwebiz.ca. Kwe-Biz) is to place a circle of support around every First Nations entrepreneur CEO at Okwaho Equal Source. ThisThere have been several successwe work with. This includes providing expansion is contingent on partnershipsstories of Indigenous women entre- business and entrepreneurship training, and funding models. Visit www.okwaho. preneurs that have gone through theresources and mentorship to ensure that com in 2023 for announcements onKwe-Biz program, Barberstock says,First Nations entrepreneurs have the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in business. A circle of support also includes assisting First Nations founders in finding the funding, support and networks needed to overcome barriers and take their businesses to the next level.Barberstock adds that Kwe-Biz helpsentrepreneurs develop creative ways Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin to overcome financial barriers. When Everyone workingFirst Nations businesses succeed and grow, they contribute to the social and together to raiseeconomic well-being of First Nations our children communities, she says.Miziwe BiikMiziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training, located in Toronto, has supported the economic outcomes of Indigenous people for more than 30 1-800-465-3624 years by providing training and employ-24/7 TIKINAGAN.ORG ment programming and support in a culturally enriched environment to connect Indigenous clients to local, good-paying job opportunities.The GTAs Indigenous community holds tremendous potential, said Nancy Martin, Executive Director at Miziwe Biik, in a 2021 press release. An inclu-sive economic recovery means empow-ering the GTAs Indigenous community with expanded and enhanced skills training and market-recognized creden-tials needed to secure good-paying jobs in areas where new workers are needed.Building a stronger future together! Miziwe Biik recently partnered with Building a stronger future together!Building a stronger future together! the Computing Technology Industry Building a stronger future together! Association (CompTIA), a non-profit 222 Rowntree Dairy Road | Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 | T: 905-652-4140 | www.local675.ca association within the information Building a stronger future together! technology (IT) industry, to provide a 222 Rowntree Dairy Road | Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 | T: 905-652-4140 | www.local675.ca 12-week IT certification course and help 222 Rowntree Dairy Road | Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 | T: 905-652-4140 | www.local675.ca222 Rowntree Dairy Road | Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 | T: 905-652-4140 | www.local675.ca@Local675DALI @Local675interiorsystemsDALI unemployed people return to the work-@local675interiorsystems force. Information about the CompTIA @local675interiorsystems @Local675DALI @Local675interiorsystemsDALI@local675interiorsystems @Local675DALI @Local675interiorsystemsDALI222 Rowntree Dairy Road | Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 | T: 905-652-4140 | www.local675.ca course and other training programs can @local675interiorsystems @Local675DALI @Local675interiorsystemsDALIbe found at www.miziwebiik.com. @local675interiorsystems @Local675DALI @Local675interiorsystemsDALI44l I ssue2 2022/23C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'