November 28, 2011

Waubetek Business Development Corporation, Birch Island

The Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal-exclusive Community Futures Development Corporation servicing a region of North-East Ontario that includes 27 First Nations and a population of 50,000 Aboriginal people both on and off reserve. 

Waubetek BDC has helped more than a thousand Aboriginal businesses in North-East Ontario, with 92% of those businesses that received loans still operating successfully.  Many businesses have gone on to win national and international acclaim:  The Great Spirit Circle Trail, one of Canada’s top Aboriginal tourism companies; Juno Award winning country music singer Crystal Shawanda; Film Producer Darlene Naponse, who was recognized at the Sundance International Film Festival; and Manitoulin Physio, owned by Derek Debassige, winner of a Northern Ontario Business Award.

International delegations from Bangladesh, Eastern Russia, Australia, Scotland and Germany have visited Waubetek BDC to learn about their model of regional community development.