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.”

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.