Paul Desmarais III: I have had an incredibly enriching experience in co-founding the Black Wealth Club, and we thought we may be able to create opportunities for connection between Indigenous leaders as well. These are, of course, very different communities. Still, our purpose was similar: find talented young business people, connect them to each other and accomplished mentors, facilitate opportunities, exchange advice, organize relevant content and events, and advance their trajectory wherever possible. In my experience, the energy, dynamism and kinship that develop from connecting interesting people can lead to positive and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Alicia Dubois: In the last couple of decades, there have been enhanced investments in an increased focus on Indigenous education. This focus has been evidenced by the development and effectiveness of organizations like New Relationship Trust and Indspire, both supported by government funding programs and corporate philanthropy efforts. As a result of these investments and academic enrolment programs, today we see high potential, high-performing Indigenous youth graduating from post-secondary institutions in record numbers and entering the workforce through a wide range of career paths. While impressive, this trend alone does not ensure equity in the workplace or a sense of belonging for Indigenous employees, which means employers continue to fail at retaining Indigenous employees.

The missing link to professional stability, success and equity is often tied to a lack of mentorship, sponsorship, strong professional networks and employers who are genuinely committed to psychological safety and a culture that embeds inclusion and diversity in all levels of the corporation. While the ILC cannot singlehandedly fill all these gaps, I am certain the networks and connections being cultivated amongst the cohort and cofounding members will serve the young Indigenous professional cohort members strongly throughout their journey.

Mariama Dupuis: We sought to have more meaningful interactions with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. The Indigenous Leadership Circle has been an opportunity to deepen my understanding of parts of their cultures and make new connections. Alicia has mobilized an incredible group of people who have been generous with their time, in sharing their experiences and having real conversations.

Mariama Dupuis: We are only a few months in, however, we already see some friendships forming. We have had great speakers join the group during our monthly sessions, and the co-founders are an exceptionally accomplished group of people that the members can reach out to when they seek advice. We have also been happy to make introductions when helpful for members.

Alicia Dubois: The aim of the ILC is to create a culturally safe place for young Indigenous professionals to build a network of trusted colleagues and mentors/sponsors that support their professional development, enhance their networks, and bolster their ability to navigate their career paths and influence their professional ecosystems in a way that removes barriers for themselves and future Indigenous professionals. In co-founding the ILC, we are working to help young Indigenous professionals build their networks and spheres of influence in a way that opens doors and showcases the power of allyships between Indigenous professionals and beyond. Indigenous often feel isolated or “on the periphery” in the workforce. The ILC will allow for the development of long-term, trusted professional connections and the development of “social capital” that Indigenous professionals have typically lacked.

Mariama Dupuis: We look for Indigenous business leaders or entrepreneurs between 25 and 40 that have overcome barriers, and have a track record of giving back to their community.

Alicia Dubois: Furthermore, and in hopes of fairly representing and supporting Indigenous young professionals across Canada, we look for diversity in our cohorts with respect to gender identity, heritage (First Nation, Metis, Inuit), geographical location and industry affiliation.

Alicia Dubois: As co-founders, we are open and honest about our personal experiences because we know this deepens the conversations, perpetuates sharing of ideas and allows for more impactful, informative discussions. While we have a lineup of topics to explore together, to date we have exercised ideas related to Indigenous entrepreneurship, business partnership development, our experiences with money and wealth generation, and the balancing of traditional concepts of wealth and the pressure to operate based on capitalistic wealth concepts. All to say, we take professional development topics, reframe them in ways that resonate with our values and belief systems and then discuss how best to navigate related professional challenges or difficult situations.

Paul Desmarais III: We look forward to seeing the ILC grow and take a life of its own. I hope the relationships created through the ILC will be long-lasting, and I am particularly excited to see the progress of our alumni in the years and decades to come.

If you are an ambitious, accomplished business leader or entrepreneur reading this, reach out to us to be a part of our second cohort! We are looking for a broad and diverse range of First Nations, Metis and Inuit individuals representing all corners of the country, genders, orientations and nations.

Alicia Dubois: In reviewing applicants and formalizing the cofounder membership, we made a concerted effort to ensure our cohort was balanced and diverse. There are numerous and varied Indigenous lived experiences across Canada. As with other situations, insights, solutions and ideas are best generated when a diverse group contributes to the conversation. With this in mind, we looked to create a balanced cohort from gender identity, heritage (First Nation, Metis, Inuit) and geographical perspectives.