Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) Government with its Ministry of Economic Development leader SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) has been selected as the winner of the Aboriginal Financial Institution Covid-19 Resiliency Award by NACCA- the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association which is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions across Canada.

In March 2020 when Covid – 19 was deemed a pandemic, as part of the MN-S pandemic action plan response SMEDCO went into action to explore ways they could assist their clients to persevere through COVID.

“In partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, SMEDCO successfully administered and disbursed over $20 million in COVID-19 pandemic funding since May 2020. These contributions had a real impact to preserve jobs, keep Métis owned businesses operating and stimulate the local economy” said Tristan Zachow – SMEDCO CEO

“The SMEDCO board showed unprecedented leadership through the pandemic by supporting our Métis clients.  SMEDCO staff worked tirelessly through the pandemic often putting their clients before themselves and going above and beyond the regular working hours and job responsibilities week after week, month after month to assist Métis businesses.” added Zachow

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Minister of Economic Development Glen McCallum said “Our Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Government is committed to creating a strong Métis economy.  SMEDCO is the leading Economic Development hub for our Métis citizens and communities, and we are very pleased to be recognized as the winner of this national award.”

“We were able to assist many Métis owned businesses in Saskatchewan! Thank you to all our clients who support us in return, we do this for you” added SMEDCO CEO, Tristan Zachow

To date SMEDCO has worked with over 1600 Métis businesses across the province.

For more information, please contact:

SMEDCO
Monica Brunet P: 306-477-4350
E: mbrunet@smedco.ca

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) is pleased to announce they have built a Verified and Certified Métis Business Directory! www.saskmetisworks.ca is now live!

Government and industry players have been saying they would love to engage with Indigenous businesses – now they have the tools available to them – to work with Métis owned businesses in Saskatchewan!

SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. For 35 years, SMEDCO has been providing financial solutions for Métis owned businesses so that they may start up, acquire, and/or expand their operations in Saskatchewan. We have now expanded our services to include a Métis specific
business directory!

www.saskmetisworks.ca is now available for all levels of Governments, Industry, Universities, Cities and any other corporations that are interested in having goods and services provided to them by a business that has been verified and certified to have Métis ownership.

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Minister of Economic Development Glen McCallum said “Our Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Government will work with institutions, industry, the Provincial and Federal governments to create a strong Métis economy to create opportunities for Métis businesses.”

SMEDCO has forged a strong relationship with the Métis Nation -Saskatchewan Citizenship Registry department to confirm the business owner is a citizen of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan. At that point they have the opportunity to register their business on the directory. A “Verified” business means minority Métis ownership and “Certified” means the business is majority Métis owned.

“This is the best directory out there, by verifying and certifying Métis ownership there is no question or doubt that this is an Indigenous business – a Métis owned business! This will open doors for procurement for Métis businesses and in turn enrich the Métis economy “said Tristan Zachow – SMEDCO Chief Executive Officer.

This is a free service for the business owner and a huge opportunity for them to expand their business portfolio.

“SMEDCO is the only Métis Capital Corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions and business advisory programs to Métis businesses. Since 1987, SMEDCO has advocated for all Métis owned businesses in the province and this directory gives a level of confidence to those that have procurement needs to get goods and services provided from a Métis business.” added Zachow.

With reconciliation being top of mind, this is a perfect time to engage with a Métis owned business! SMEDCO knows Métis business because we are a Métis business! All details including registration forms can be found at https://saskmetisworks.ca/

For more information, please contact:

SMEDCO
Monica Brunet P: 306-477-4350
E: mbrunet@smedco.ca

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – On behalf of the MN-S Ministry of Economic Development, SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) is pleased to announce the SMEDCO Community Covid Business Fund in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada has been re-capitalized! $5.9M is available to Métis owned microbusinesses and Community owned businesses.

The purpose is to provide non-repayable funding intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these Community-owned businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic with the goal of positioning them for recovery. These funds are intended to fill the gaps of other federal business support programs in response to the pandemic.

There are 2 different streams available and SMEDCO will provide all the resources clients need to become stronger and more efficient. Clients will have access to the most experienced, professional staff and business advisory consultants to guide them through these uncertain times.

“This is fantastic news for us at SMEDCO. We are the only Métis Capital Corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions for Métis businesses since 1987. We understand how the 4th wave continues to impact Métis businesses. Now we can continue to provide non-repayable COVID financial support to Métis businesses that were unable to access other COVID funding” said Tristan Zachow – Chief Executive Officer.

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan President and Chairperson for SMEDCO, Glen McCallum said “This has been an extraordinary opportunity for us to deliver these supports to communities and micro businesses – last year we were fully allocated within a few months of receiving the funding. We are now able to further support Métis community development corporations, as well businesses such as commercial fishers, artisans, musicians and home-based businesses in conjunction with small business week. These funds will reach and empower those businesses that have not been able to access other covid support programs – making an impact in all four corners of the province”

SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S). Since our establishment in 1987, SMEDCO has been owned by the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. and is a Métis Capital Corporation that is proud to support Métis business-owners in the province of Saskatchewan. We provide financial solutions for Métis owned businesses so that they may start up, acquire, and/or expand their operations in our great province. In turn, this helps build up the Saskatchewan Métis community as well as the economy that serves our province. SMEDCO also provides economic development supports to the Métis regions and locals

SMEDCO was established because we are passionate about building up the Métis business community in Saskatchewan.

Testimonials:
“On Behalf of Kineepik Métis Local, we would like to thank SMEDCO for the financial support and consulting services that have been provided to our organization through the SMEDCO Community COVID Fund. Those contributions and supports came at the time they were most needed and will help us overcome the economic challenges that COVID has created for the community and our corporation. Our most sincere Thanks!” – Kineepik Métis Local
“I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to SMEDCO along with all their staff for all the great work you are all doing helping Métis businesses overcome losses in their businesses during Covid. Keep on doing what your doing changing people’s lives – Stay safe!” Donny Parenteau – Prince Albert.

All details including application forms can be found here.

For more information, please contact:

SMEDCO 
Monica Brunet P: 306-477-4350
E: mbrunet@smedco.ca

SMEDCO has been nominated as a finalist for the SABEX first ever ”Mistahi Mamîcîhîtowin” award sponsored by Nutrien!

SMEDCO has been serving Saskatchewan Métis Entrepreneurs and Métis Communities for over 34 years. It is exciting to be recognized for the work we love to do – Empowering Métis people and assisting them in participating in the Saskatchewan economy.

Congratulations to all the other finalists!

We’re excited to be featured in the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Business Voice Magazine. Follow the link below to read more on page 20-21

Business Voice May/June 2021

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and Northern Research Group (NRG) are pleased to announce that we have entered into a partnership focused on supporting Métis community economic recovery.

Under this partnership, SMEDCO and NRG will collaboratively deliver consulting services to Métis communities whose business activities and economic growth have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Funding for the initiative has been provided through SMEDCO’s COVID-19 business relief partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.

“SMEDCO is the only Métis capital corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions for Métis businesses since 1987.We are now able to provide non-repayable COVID financial support to Métis businesses that were unable to access other COVID funding “ said Tristan Zachow – Chief Executive Officer. Working with a Métis owned company who knows and understands the needs of Saskatchewan Métis communities is the perfect fit!

“NRG is proud to be working with SMEDCO to deliver much needed consulting supports to Métis communities. COVID-19 has stifled economic growth for many Métis communities and introduced new challenges for Métis community owned businesses” said Matt Vermette- CEO of Northern Research Group. “We are looking forward to working with Métis communities to adapt to those challenges and plan for economic recovery so that they can continue the important work of creating wealth and employment opportunities for our fellow Métis citizens.”

SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and has been working towards enhancing community economic development since 1987.

NRG is a 100% Métis owned, Saskatchewan-based business and economic consulting firm. Their team has a long history of working with small businesses and Métis communities throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

Details regarding the consulting supports available to Métis communities and application forms can be found here.

For more information, please contact –

SMEDCO 
Monica Brunet P: 306-477-4350
E: mbrunet@smedco.ca

NRG www.northernresearchgroupinc.com
Matt Vermette P: 306-981-3904
E: matt@nrginc.ca

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) is pleased to announce a $4.3M partnership with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a Covid-19 impact fund for Métis community-owned businesses and micro businesses that were unable to access prior Covid funding programs. These funds are intended to fill the gaps of other federal business support programs in response to the pandemic.

The purpose is to provide non-repayable funding intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these Community-owned businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic with the goal of positioning them for recovery.

There will be 2 different streams available and SMEDCO will provide all the resources clients need to become stronger and more efficient. Clients will have access to the most experienced, professional staff and business advisory consultants to guide them through these uncertain times.

“SMEDCO is the only Métis capital corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions for Métis businesses since 1987.We are now able to provide non-repayable COVID financial support to Métis businesses that were unable to access other COVID funding “ said Tristan Zachow – Chief Executive Officer.

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum said “This is an extraordinary opportunity -We are now able to further support Métis community development corporations, as well businesses such as commercial fishers, artisans, musicians and home-based businesses in conjunction with small business week. These funds should reach and empower those businesses that have not been able to access other covid support programs – making an impact in all four corners of the province”

SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. Since our establishment in 1987, SMEDCO has been owned by the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. and is a Metis Capital Corporation that is proud to support Métis business-owners in the province of Saskatchewan. We provide financial solutions for Métis owned businesses so that they may start up, acquire, and/or expand their operations in our great province. In turn, this helps build up the Saskatchewan Métis community as well as the economy that serves our province. SMEDCO was established because we are passionate about building up the Métis business community in Saskatchewan. All details including application forms can be found at https://smedco.ca/covid-business-fund/

For more information, please contact – Monica Brunet

P: 306-477-4350 | e: mbrunet@smedco.ca