How Culture Inspired Entrepreneurship for 3 Indigenous Women

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
– Anaïs Nin, writer

In Floyd Black Horse’s December 30th CBC News article, “Meet 3 Indigenous women entrepreneurs promoting wellness and culture,” he spotlights the inspiring and noteworthy business accomplishments of Heather Black, Loretta Tuttauk, and Erin Brillon. Each of these seasoned business owners discovered a passion for sharing their Indigenous heritage and traditions with others by way of entrepreneurship. Being your authentic self and crafting a business around what you know best (yourself) is a perfect way to hone empowerment and agency in the global business network.

Heather Black’s business, Buffalo Stone Woman Indige-scape Tours, established in 2020, “incorporates Indigenous teaching, arts and crafts, and storytelling on…family and group tours.”

Once Black earned her certification from the Outdoor Council of Canada, she began sharing her knowledge and passion for her Kainai Nation culture through her tours. She explains, “The mountains are our backyard; we need to embrace it, we need to be out there. We need to be the original storytellers of this land and I’m here to help.”

Loretta Tuttauk, who is Metis Cree, has created a company that harnesses the natural health benefits of products derived straight from nature,

“Loretta’s Wellness Circle, offers facial cleansers, candles, and body sprays….Ceremonies and prayers are part of the gathering process for product making. ‘I often do that with my elders or with a group of ladies where we come together and we put our tobacco down and engage in ceremony. We definitely give and connect with the land when we are asking for permission to do that.'”

Erin Brillon, who is Haida and Cree, developed her sustainable clothing business Totem House Design in 2015. Brillon “uses water-based inks to print her eco-friendly women’s wear collection….She supplies her customers with size-inclusive options but also makes earrings in-house and offers botanical wellness products.”

Brillon recognizes the importance of giving back to her community and culture, as “ten percent of her profits from Totem House Design goes to the Copper Legacy Indigenous Empowerment Society.” She explains, “I feel like we participate in our culture a lot, we’re doing a lot to uphold the different traditions but it’s also on people like us to strive to always find ways to give back.”