Contact
Bruce Lacroix, Founder
The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.
406 Richards Street
Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1
Phone: 1-226-243-5635
© 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.
Bruce Lacroix
Founder
Bruce enjoys volunteering locally and has served as a Director with the Nelson and District Credit Union, Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, Nelson Municipal Library, and the Rotary Club of Nelson – Daybreak. Having been broke and on welfare in his past, he understands the challenges of starting a business from nothing. An avid cyclist, scuba diver, and pickleball player, when not working, he can usually be found enjoying these activities.
Zechariah James
Indigenous Entrepreneur & Lead Facilitator
Zechariah James is a Youth Métis entrepreneur and multi-business owner. He started his first incorporated business in Calgary at the remarkably young age of 17 in 2012 and currently resides in Toronto. Zechariah has been featured as the keynote speaker at over 500 professional training events since 2012. Teaching and inspiring other potential entrepreneurs with the CCAE’s Aboriginal BEST programs across Canada, and gets rave reviews for his teaching style, knowledge, and commitment.
Carol Shaw
Indigenous Entrepreneur & Indigenous Womens Business & Entrepanuership Training Facilitator
Cree Musician, author, poet, speaker, playwright, artist, and entrepreneurial spirit. Carol's life and professional experiences give her a unique approach to Entrepreneurship Training. Certified in Trauma-Informed Education and Aboriginal Employment Development, Carol brings a combination of professional development and empathy, developed through her lived experience, to her teaching. Integrating ancestral knowledge, trauma-informed care, and self-empowerment, she guides individuals toward success, and participants love her humorous and down-to-earth style.
We have years of experience working with all people, all across Canada. We are super easy to get along with, speak in every day, easy to understand language, and are ourselves currently entrepreneurs. We believe in having fun while helping others.
OUR TEAM
Testimonials
It’s not important what we say about ourselves: It’s what others have to say that is the true worth of a business.
COMMENTS FROM FUNDERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER BIGWIGS…
Program mentors are alumni who graduated from the CCAE Aboriginal BEST program with honors, continue to operate high-achieving businesses in specialized fields, and have demonstrated commitment to supporting other entrepreneurs through community support.
OUR ALUMNI MENTORS
About CCAE
The CCAE Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship
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100% Indigenous Owned & Operated.
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Putting Indigenous businesses on every block in Canada.
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Providing Indigenous entrepreneurship training, resources, and opportunities for growth for over 25 years.
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All licensed facilitators hold a minimum of five years of experience in Indigenous community program facilitation, five years of experience in profitable business ownership, a Master's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience, and are of authenticated First Nations, Métis, or Inuit identity.
CCAE Provides:
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Indigenous business & Entrepreneurship skills training programs for First Nation governments, Indigenous and non-Indigenous charitable and Non-Profit organizations. In-Person, Online or Hybrid!
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Entrepreneurship project management
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Speaking and writing services on Entrepreneurship and the New Gig Economy
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Entrepreneurship program & curriculum development
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Consulting for government, Indigenous businesses, organizations and individuals
The CCAE was founded by Indigenous Entrepreneur, author, and speaker Bruce Lacroix. Born in Halifax of Mi’kmaq heritage, Bruce started his first business while on welfare and with his first child on the way. Quoted as saying “I do not want to live like this anymore” was his incentive for becoming self-employed. Since Bruce has personally started, grown, and sold dozens of businesses across the country, well helping thousands of our Indigenous Grandfathers, Kookums, Uncles, Aunties, and youth do the same through CCAE programs. Today, an avid skier, tennis player, scuba diver, and bon vivant, Bruce believes in a balance of family, travel, work, and play. “Live simply, love deeply, and carpe diem: seize the day” is his life motto. Bruce now lives in the picturesque heritage town of Nelson, BC, with his family.
Over the years, graduates of the CCAE Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training program have become long-standing successful business owners, mentors for program BESTies (participants), and finally certified facilitators who carry on the CCAE mission to put Indigenous businesses on every block in Canada.
About Aboriginal Best
BEST helps to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of people, communities, and organizations. Participants meet guest speakers, identify viable business ideas, determine their feasibility, and take steps to start or grow their own businesses. Learn to conduct market research, write business plans, and explore financing options on your journey to self-employment success!
Aboriginal BEST is for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, status or not, who are interested in becoming self-employed or starting their own business. BEST benefits people in all stages of business development who want to turn their dreams into reality. Some people are looking for a part-time business opportunity, others have a solid idea to research, and some are eager to write a plan that will help them launch or grow their venture.
Over 4,000 people in 130 communities across Canada have taken part in Aboriginal BEST in the past 25 years.
“The Aboriginal BEST material that Mr. Lacroix developed is a great resource and is easy to teach to students. … When I met Mr. Lacroix I was working as the Economic Development Coordinator for my organization. I also maintain contracts with the Universities to teach business and economic development courses. The teaching material that Mr. Lacroix developed is very exceptional for our First Nations students. I have struggled to find good textbooks and I often refer to sections of the Aboriginal BEST Participant’s Manual. He maintains a First Nations perspective to business. This is hard to find.”
Crystal Verhaeghe
MBA, Past Executive Director, Tsilhqot’in National Government
“Programs such as Aboriginal BEST – the Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program illustrate our commitment to entrepreneurship development. … evaluations of the program have shown that a high percentage of BEST graduates move quickly into employment or self-employment.”
The Honourable Barry Penner
BC Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Strategic Conversations Annual Forum
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CHRYSTAL TABOBANDUNG
RAISE – Indigenous Cultural Awareness & Competency Training
RAISE – Indigenous cultural awareness & competency training is designed to increase knowledge, enhance self-awareness and strengthen the skills of those who work both directly and indirectly with First Nations/Aboriginal/Indigenous people.
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JOSEPH SAGAJ
Independent Canadian Indigenous Artist
Designer of the 2022 TORONTO SIGN, the award-winning terrazzo medallion at Seneca College and the Bloor Annex BIA Mural at Paul Martel Park, Joseph is Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan from the remote community of Neskantaga, 433 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He graduated in Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art & Design in 1985.