Amethyst Lavalley Nimoosh Grooming & Boutique Website: www.nimoosh.ca/ Nestled amidst the vibrant energy of Toronto's Danforth Avenue lies a unique sanctuary for pets and their people: Nimoosh Grooming & Boutique. Located at 582 Danforth Avenue, Nimoosh, founded in June 2023 by the experienced and passionate Amethyst Lavalley, offers more than just pet grooming; it provides a carefully crafted experience rooted in calmness and compassion From the moment one steps inside (or perhaps even peers through the window), the intention is clear – this is a place designed to put pets at ease. As an Indigenous-owned petsalon, Nimoosh brings a distinct presence to the neighbourhood, reflecting a commitment to community and a personalized approach. Amethyst Lavalley established the business not merely as a commercial venture, but as the culmination of years spent honing her craft and developing a philosophy centred on making grooming a gentle, comfortable, and stress-free event for every animal, especially those who find the process unnerving. In a city bustling with grooming options, Nimoosh distinguishes itself by prioritizing the emotional well-being of pets alongside achieving beautiful results, a promise echoed in the positive experiences shared by its growing clientele. The deliberate choice to establish an Indigenous-owned business in this specific Toronto location suggests a thoughtful approach, aiming to build a community-rooted establishment with a clear identity from its very beginning. This focus on gentle care, confirmed by reports of calm and happy pets post-grooming, directly addresses a common concern for pet owners – grooming anxiety – positioning Nimoosh as a specialized solution provider, not just another grooming shop. As an Indigenous youth in the CCAE Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training  (BEST) program, Amethyst writes "Thank you guys so much! I’m so glad I took CCAE’s BEST program, I learnt so much! Zechariah was amazing and very helpful! I’m so glad I got to experience this and meet everyone in the class. Xo"

Grace Swain Ojibway Influencer, Speaker, Advocate & Artist Visit Website Website: https://graceswainart.com/ Grace Swain is an Indigenous artist, speaker, and advocate. With heritage from Swan Lake First Nation (Treaty One) and Wiikwemkoong First Nation, she resides in Bruce Mines, Ontario. Swain’s work blends traditional Woodlands style painting with personal connection to her Bear and Fish clans, often depicting animals and nature. Holding a bachelor's degree in women's studies, she infuses her art with Indigenous teachings, exploring themes of gender and race. Driven by a desire to revitalize land-based art practices, Swain aims to make these traditions accessible to all Indigenous peoples. Her work is deeply rooted in healing, both for herself and her community, as she navigates the impact of colonialism, including her grandfather's residential school experience. She actively learns and incorporates her language through engagement with Elders and community members. Swain launched an art program in January 2023 to support Indigenous women artists, addressing economic and systemic barriers. The program aims to empower these artists to create and sell their land-based art, emphasizing the role of Indigenous peoples as stewards of the land and their crucial contribution to global biodiversity. As an Indigenous youth in the CCAE Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training  (BEST) program, Grace writes  “I absolutely loved the BEST program! Prior to BEST I had never been taught the legalities, marketing or finances required for business plans. I have invested in several programs and I feel as though this one is a must - even if you already have a business. The community with like-minded entrepreneurs held me accountable, inspired me and gave me several ideas which I will be implementing to generate more clients and leads. Thank you!”

Cynthia & Samantha Dick By Your Favorite Aunties Website: https://byyourfavoriteaunties.com/ By Your Favorite Aunties is a Tsilhqot’in-owned business run by sisters Samantha and Cynthia from Tl’etinqox. They handcraft beadwork, ribbon skirts, and custom digital art apparel inspired by their Tsilhqot’in culture and ranching heritage. Rooted in the teachings of their grandparents, their creations blend traditional artistry with modern designs. Operating part-time after work and on weekends, they showcase their work at events and markets, sharing their cultural pride with the community. Their journey into the world of traditional craftsmanship began with cherished memories that are forever etched in their minds—watching their beloved grandparents skillfully sewing traditional apparel, expertly beading exquisite looms, and meticulously tanning hides with a level of precision and care that only comes from years of practice and dedication. These formative experiences instilled in them a profound appreciation for their cultural heritage. In 2020, as they embarked on a quest to rediscover the art of beading, they found not only a creative outlet but also a source of solace and serenity in this timeless practice. What initially started as a simple pastime quickly blossomed into a passionate endeavor, igniting their creativity and opening up new avenues of artistic expression that ranged from sewing to digital art. In their innovative approach, they artfully blend tradition with technology, showcasing their unique perspective by designing captivating digital artwork. This fusion of old and new allows them to create vibrant prints that are then transformed into stylish apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, each piece telling a story and reflecting their deep connection to their roots. The clothing they produce is not merely fashion; it is a canvas for their heritage, a way to share the beauty of their culture with the world while ensuring that the traditional skills they cherish are not lost to time. Through each creation, Samantha and Cynthia invite others to celebrate and appreciate the rich tapestry of their Tsilhqot'in heritage, making By Your Favorite Aunties a meaningful bridge between the past and the present. Of the BEST program, Cynthia & Samanth say “The B.E.S.T. program has given us the tools we need to grow our business. While taking the class, I realized that I may have learned some of this information slowly over time, but setting aside these weeks to focus on marketing, finance, branding, and operations has given us more drive to push our business further. A few weeks may seem like a long time to set aside, especially if you also have a full-time job—we thought the same thing. But in order to grow our business, we had to sacrifice somewhere to take the time to learn more tools. This program has helped us bridge the gap, and Zechariah was a patient and informative instructor. We are excited to see how the other participants grow their business, and thanks again to TNG and Zechariah for setting time aside to visit us on this side of Turtle Island.”

Randy Freese Freeze Frame Financial Website: https://sites.google.com/view/guelph-bookkeeping Randy Freese operates Freeze Flame Financial, which is one of very few Canadian Indigenous-owned and operated bookkeeping services available. Freeze Flame Financial has been operating since 2009 and is dedicated to experienced and personalized financial Solutions for their clients. Their diverse experience has been invaluable to their clients in several industries from Legal and Real Estate to Small Business and Entertainment spaces. With a commitment to fostering financial literacy and empowerment, Freeze Flame Financial prides itself on offering tailored advice that meets the unique needs of Indigenous communities and beyond. Randy and his team understand the importance of building strong relationships with their clients, ensuring each receives the individual attention and strategic insights necessary for sustainable growth and success. By combining traditional knowledge with modern financial practices, Freeze Flame Financial continues to set a high standard in the industry, making a meaningful impact on the economic well-being of the communities they serve. Of the BEST program, Randy says, “I participated in the BEST program through the IndigiTECH mentorship program of the IFA (Indigenous Friends Association). It was very beneficial for me as a small business owner as well as an Indigenous person. The BEST program allowed me to revisit some of my past challenges running my business and evaluate things that needed to be changed and updated. Through an Indigenous lens, I have also realized I had left out much of my journey of reconnection as it relates to my business structure and how I want to conduct business going forward.”

These appendices are not part of the in-class CCAE training, but are included for your future use.

These appendices are not part of the in-class CCAE training, but are included for your future use.

These appendices are not part of the in-class CCAE training, but are included for your future use.

Wesley Havill Wesley Havill Indigenous Art Website: https://www.wesleyhavillindigenousart.com Wesley Havill is Ojibway, Eagle Clan, from Batchewana First Nation, in Sault Ste. Marie.  He is a multi-talented craftsman who works with a great variety of materials; he carves moose antler and designs using pyrography; he is also an Artist Blacksmith and his work extends to materials, such as wood, copper and steel.   Wesley showcases his passion for his culture, nature and animals by creating unique pieces that tell their own stories. “Of the BEST program, Wesley writes “Zechariah knowledge is Invaluable. He is not a teacher/instructor that reads from the manual- he brings so much more to the table with his knowledge and years of experience. We are so grateful for Zech as not only our teacher, but he is our mentor and our coach. We have laughed, we have cried and ooh we have learned so much. His course cannot be compared to any other course. This course is so much more, and with Zech's patience and instruction, he guides us all through it seamlessly. He offers as many 1 on 1's as you want, who does that? I just really can't say enough, we are just so grateful to Zechariah & NCCT for this amazing opportunity! Chi Meegwetch Zechariah James, Sincerely, Wesley & Lori Havill, proud new business owners of Wesley Havil Indigenous Art!”

Charles Catchpole Charger Foods Website: https://mnopgwad.com/ Charles Catchpole is an Anishinaabe Chef and Entrepreneur. He is a member of Couchiching First Nation. Charles is based in Toronto where he owns and operates Charger foods. Among other things, he sells a line of unique hot sauces and salad dressings. And Charger foods offers a unique catering experience specializing in indigenous foods.    Charles is also dedicated to Indigenous Food Sovereignty initiatives and most recently, founded Gitigaanes, an Anishinaabe urban micro- farm located in Toronto.   His catering specializes in precolonial foods and Gitigaanes provides him the space to grow and showcase heritage, local, lesser known varieties of produce. He has now advanced from ‘farm to table’ to ‘farmer to table’ cuisine. Of the BEST program Charles writes “On behalf of all of the vendors that participated in this year’s online program I would like to express our gratitude for all the hard work that you have put into making this such a great success. In a time of isolation and separation, you have brought our communities together in such a fun, interactive and entertaining way.”