Supporting Indigenous Entrepreneurs at Futurpreneur Canada

Sammy Zoerb

Building relationships and trust are key for Sammy when it comes to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, as well as creating synergies with other service providers. She believes we can all work together to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in following their goals and passions toward the launch of their dream businesses.

Sammy Zoerb is the Business Development Manager, Indigenous Young Entrepreneurs, with Futurpreneur Canada for the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Originally from Thunderchild, Saskatchewan, she has lived in Edmonton for the past 20 years.

Sammy holds a diploma in Business Administration and started her career in Indigenous economic development straight after she graduated. She soon discovered her passion was to become a resource for Indigenous economic prosperity and she has focused on supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship for the past four years. Being a part of Futurpreneur’s new Indigenous team with a focused strategy that supports young Indigenous entrepreneurs is all part of her journey. Sammy believes it is critical for Indigenous people to become self-sustainable and she is honoured to be a part of this exciting time where Indigenous entrepreneurs are following their dreams and contributing to the economic growth of this country.

Kristin Richard Kristin Richard is the Business Development Manager, Indigenous Young Entrepreneurs, with Futurpreneur Canada for the province of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Kristin is a proud member of the Métis Nation from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She began her career in banking as a summer student and from there has had several roles working with small- and medium-sized businesses, not for profits and social enterprises to provide business and financial advice. Kristin is working towards a degree in Indigenous Business from Athabasca University in her spare time. She is also a Big Sister with Big Brother, Big Sisters of Winnipeg and enjoys spending time with both her sisters.                                       Justin Holness Justin Holness was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. His heritage is a blend of Jamaican and Nakota First Nation roots. Growing up, his mother made sure he was connected to his First Nation community. One of his three grandmothers, Laura Big Eagle, helped to re-establish Ocean Man First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, in 1990. Based in Ottawa and serving young, Indigenous entrepreneurs across Ontario, Justin believes that entrepreneurship is one way we can build new economic opportunities for Indigenous people, communities and future generations. For Justin, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and business is a pathway toward achieving reconciliation. He is pleased to join Futurpreneur where he can help other Indigenous entrepreneurs achieve economic prosperity by supporting them to launch and grow their businesses. Justin is an award-winning entrepreneur himself, receiving the 2018 CBC Trailblazer Award for TR1BE Music. He also received the Youth Community Service Award from the Committee of Youth Officers Ontario while working at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health as an Indigenous Youth Division Coordinator. His goals are to help Indigenous people achieve self-determination through art, music, and entrepreneurship.     Joanne Norris Under the leadership of Joanne Norris, Director of Indigenous and Northern Communities, Futurpreneur strives to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the best way possible. Our team seeks to create a sense of belonging for Indigenous entrepreneurs while providing the tools and supports to help them succeed.         If you are looking to start a business, we are here to help. Visit futurpreneur.ca/indigenous/ to get started!