In March 2026, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation (IPF) traveled to Thunder Bay as part of our Walking Together Tour, an initiative grounded in listening, learning, and building alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs and economic leaders across the country.
Our visit began with an afternoon at Fort William Historical Park, a place that grounded our time in the region. It served as a powerful reminder that Indigenous peoples have long been leaders in trade, commerce, and economic systems in Northwestern Ontario. Entrepreneurship here is not new—it is deeply rooted, resilient, and continually evolving.
From there, we connected with the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF), regional ecosystem partners, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and business owners across the region. Together, these conversations offered a clear and honest picture of both the strength of the ecosystem and the barriers that continue to shape the entrepreneurial journey.
Thunder Bay plays a critical role as a regional hub, serving many surrounding First Nations, including remote and northern communities. The region benefits from a network of support organizations, including Indigenous Financial Institutions like NADF, training providers, financial institutions, and community-based programs.
This foundation is strong. However, entrepreneurs consistently shared that accessing and navigating these supports is not straightforward.
While resources exist, they are often experienced as:
- Disconnected
- Difficult to navigate
- Not clearly visible
Entrepreneurs described having to move between organizations, repeat their stories, and determine on their own which supports were relevant.
There is no clear starting point and that creates friction.
As a key Indigenous Financial Institution in the region, NADF plays a critical role in providing access to capital and supporting business development.
Our conversations highlighted both the strength of this model and a persistent challenge: Entrepreneurs often require hands-on, operational support before they are ready to access funding.
This includes:
- Business planning
- Financial literacy
- Administrative systems
- Ongoing operational support
At the same time, institutions like NADF are not always resourced to provide this level of support alongside financing.
This creates a gap between:
- Where entrepreneurs are
- And what systems expect
Bridging this gap is essential to unlocking the full impact of existing capital.
The Hidden Complexity of Entrepreneurship
One of the clearest insights from our time in the region was this: The hardest part of running a business is not the business; it is the administration.
Entrepreneurs are navigating:
- Tax systems and HST
- WSIB requirements
- Funding applications and reporting
- Bookkeeping and financial management
These systems are complex and often not designed for:
- Sole proprietors
- Artists
- Seasonal or small-scale businesses
Without clear, accessible support, even basic administrative tasks can become overwhelming, pulling time and energy away from growing the business itself.
Beyond systems, many barriers are rooted in confidence and belonging.
Entrepreneurs spoke about:
- Fear of making mistakes
- Not knowing where to start
- Limited exposure to entrepreneurship
- Feeling out of place in business environments
For youth in particular, entrepreneurship is not always visible as a pathway. Where programs exist, they are often short-term and not connected to longer-term opportunities.
What’s needed is not just programming, but pathways.
Pathways that build:
- Confidence
- Skills
- Relationships
- Long-term support
Mentorship and the Power of Relationships
Across every conversation, one message was clear: People need people.
Entrepreneurs consistently identified the most valuable supports as:
- One-on-one mentorship
- Peer networks
- Trusted advisors
What is missing is continuity. Many supports are short-term or disconnected, leaving entrepreneurs to navigate multiple relationships instead of building one consistent, trusted connection.
Relationship-based support is not an add-on—it is foundational.
Entrepreneurship does not begin with a business; it begins with exposure and education.
Regional partners highlighted:
- The importance of Indigenous-led curriculum
- Barriers for learners from northern communities
- The need for transition supports, including housing, cultural safety, and navigation
Without strong education-to-entrepreneurship pathways, many individuals never reach the point of considering business as an option.
Strengthening these pathways is critical to long-term impact.
Redefining Success
Entrepreneurs in Thunder Bay are redefining success on their own terms. Success is not about rapid growth or scale.
It is about:
- Stability
- Work-life balance
- Supporting family and community
- Continuing cultural practices
- Reducing stress
This perspective challenges conventional models and highlights the need for systems that support sustainability, not just growth.
Key themes that emerged from our discussions include:
- Navigating Systems: Entrepreneurs need clear, accessible pathways—not more fragmented programs
- Administrative Complexity: Compliance and reporting requirements are a major barrier
- Readiness vs. Access to Capital: Funding exists, but support is needed to access it
- Confidence and Belonging: Human barriers are as significant as technical ones
- Mentorship Gaps: Long-term, trusted relationships are critical
- Education Pathways: Early exposure and support shape long-term outcomes
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Ecosystem
Our time in Thunder Bay and Fort William highlights several opportunities for impact:
- Centralized Navigation Support: Creating a clear entry point into the ecosystem
- Simplified, Plain-Language Resources: Making systems easier to understand and navigate
- Integrated Support Models: Combining funding with operational and professional support
- Mentorship Networks: Building long-term, relationship-based support systems
- Youth and Education Pathways: Strengthening early exposure and long-term development
- Alignment with Entrepreneur Realities: Designing systems that reflect how people actually build businesses
Walking Together Toward Alignment
The discussions in Thunder Bay highlight that the challenge is not the availability of supports—it is the ability to access and navigate them effectively.
Entrepreneurs in the region are capable, motivated, and resilient. They are already building, creating, and contributing to their communities.
The opportunity ahead is clear: To better align systems with their realities.
At the IPF, we remain committed to walking alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs, amplifying what we hear, and working with partners to build systems that are accessible, connected, and grounded in lived experience.
Thank you to the following organizations who generously gave their time to connect with us during our visit: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, Nokiiwin Tribal Council, Oshki-Wenjack, Thunder Bay CEDC, Earth Works Contracting, Mamakeesick Roots, International Indigenous Innovation Initiative (i4), and TD Bank.
Your voices are shaping the path forward.