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The Kootenays are home to several key First Nations business people. Organizations like the Kootenay Aboriginal Business Development Agency (KABDA) help to inspire, support and assist First Nations entrepreneurs to get their companies started or boost their profit. Check out the articles below to learn more about the latest innovations from First Nations business owners, and the impact they have on their community and economy.

Recent First Nations articles

The conference will leverage local subject-matter experts, researchers, policy-makers and traditional knowledge keepers to deliver fresh perspectives on the Columbia River’s future.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, Kimberley, West Kootenay, Education, Environment, First Nations

Discuss the future of the Columbia River

The One River, One Future conference will take place in Kimberley, B.C. from September 12-14, 2019

Jinny Sims is the Minister of Citizens’ Services.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, First Nations , Technology

Connectivity is key in the Kootenays

Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services, details how the provincial government’s $50-million grant will benefit rural and Indigenous communities through B.C.

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Artist rendering, ?aq?am Health and Wellness Centre.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, Developments, Financial, First Nations

New centre will bring ʔaq̓am community together

Columbia Basin Trust supports a new Health and Wellness Centre

New members of College of the Rockies' Indigenous team (l-r) Jo Ann Smith and Karen Smith, look forward to working with the Ktunaxa Nation to continue to improve the education experience for Indigenous learners in our region.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Education, First Nations

College of the Rockies announces new members of Indigenous team

Director, Indigenous Strategy and Reconciliation, and Indigenous Education Coordinator welcomed

Erin Robertson, new Lands Project Officer for the Ktunaxa Nation.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, First Nations

Ktunaxa Nation hires Erin Robertson as Land’s Project Officer in the Elk Valley

Erin Robertson leads the review minor and major Teck Coal applications and supports related stewardship initiatives in Qukin ʔamakʔis

Artist's rendering of the ?aq?am Community Health & Wellness Facility
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, First Nations , Health & Wellness

ʔaq̓am Community health

In partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, the ʔaq̓am Community has undertaken the construction of another significant project.

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Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair, and Scott Fraser, B.C.'s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, along with their respective negotiators, sign the Ktunaxa Nation Rights Recognition and Core Treaty Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will guide the parties in the development of a rights recognition approach to a treaty, and lead to the recognition of the Ktunaxa Nation Council as the legal government and rights-holder of the Ktunaxa Nation.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, First Nations

Canada, B.C., Ktunaxa move closer to treaty with signing of MOU

The new agreement will significantly advance reconciliation and treaty negotiations

Centex Trading Centre
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, First Nations , Retail, Transportation

ʔaq̓am’s progressive new fuel station and retail store now open

The store is also part of the FLO Network and is equipped with two electric vehicle charging stations

A new Centex gas bar has opened at the ?aq'am Trading Centre.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, Developments, First Nations , Small Business, Transportation

ʔaq’am Trading Centre opens Centex Gas Bar

Officials such as Chief Joe Pierre and ʔaq'am Community Enterprises CEO Christopher McCurry were on hand for the occasion.

Flagger holding up stop sign.
Kootenay BizBlog, East Kootenay, Cranbrook, First Nations , Transportation

Ktunaxa-owned businesses acquire largest traffic control company in the East Kootenays

The business has been purchased from local owners who will continue to support the new ownership in an advisory role

Promoted First Nations businesses

View all First Nations articles