Indigenous entrepreneurship on display at Trailblazers Summit

The two-day Indigenous Trailblazers Summit featured a trade show, panel discussions and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“It’s one of a kind in Canada.”

That’s how the founder of the Indigenous Trailblazers Summit describes what the event brings to the community.

First Nation, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs came together at the Edmonton Convention Centre for this year’s Summit on Wednesday.

“It’s the only one in Canada that actually brings together Indigenous entrepreneurs, Indigenous tech professionals, Indigenous consultants and business allies from across Canada, and it’s 100-per-cent community-owned,” said founder Reg Potts.

The Summit aims to celebrate Indigenous culture, innovation and leadership while amplifying voices of Indigenous professionals and creating space for allies across industries.

“There’s no provincial or federal funding involved in this. This is just supported by the business communities on the industry side and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous business community,” Potts added.

Organizers are hopeful that attendees will take away the importance of collaboration and relationships being built during the event.

Potts is an entrepreneur himself and says the Summit is of great significance since he’s spent the last 20 years observing what’s happening within the Indigenous community.

“It finally gives a space for somebody who spent years dedicating themselves to the work that they do, and gives them a stage to showcase as to how they got there and the things that they had to go through to get there,” he said." That’s the significance of it."