When a business is just meant to be, and the universe has it laid out for a person, sometimes it all starts with a vision; a vision encouraged by the universe of course. That was literally the case for Lewis and Cathy George owners of The House of Himwitsa in Tofino. Cathy and Lewis George are originally from  Ahousaht.

“Going back a few years, my wife was working for Roy Henry Vickers, and before she went to work for Roy Henry, ...

Alison Ross may look familiar to some that enjoyed the T.V. show Pawnathon Canada while it aired. That’s right; she was one of the five pawn masters that would appraise items on the show.  She has also been the proud owner of Kilshaw’s Auctioneers since January of 2006. Kilshaw’s is an auction house located in Victoria BC.

How far back can the origins of a company go? It’s not often, but sometimes they can go all the way back to just ...

Betty Knighton is a recent recipient of an NEDC scholarship. Betty was selected for the scholarship having just submitted for graduation for her business management certificate.

Her current major is child and youth care, and she’s entering her fourth year in September at Vancouver Island University.

How does it feel to win a scholarship?

“My reaction to winning it was just that this gift came falling from the sky and right into my lap and it was a moment of wow. Because of ...

Businesses are sometimes conjured right out of thin air; entrepreneurs see an opportunity, and they take it, or they come out of the mouths of twenty-three-year-old agricultural students, which was how the company Bigleaf Maple Syrup came to be.

Rick Hewson, CEO of the Hupacasath band in the Alberni Valley, was touring through one of the forests on the reserve with an agricultural student who was tagging along when the student noticed all the Bigleaf Maple trees around them and expressed ...

Economic activity, fluctuates, but it’s business as usual for the NEDC.

“Always,” confirmed NEDC assistant manager Caledonia Fred.

And with over 30 years experience helping first nations entrepreneurs, NEDC  keeps close tabs on the changing landscape where economic development opportunities are concerned.

“We tend to see less applicants when the economy is strong, when there are more jobs available,” says Fred, who has a bachelor of commerce in entrepreneurial management, and has been part of the NEDC team for 16 years.  Continue Reading →

When Caledonia Fred signed on for an internship at NEDC, she thought, at the time, that it would be a temporary posting.

“That was 16 years ago,” she says, “and I’m still here. Still loving my job.”

Now NEDC’s assistant manager, Fred has worn many hats over the years. All of which she says have helped prepare her for her current position.

Following her one year internship, Fred spent the next four years as the youth business coordinator. After that she was the ...