Eeyou Entrepreneurship in Focus: Cree Nation Business Summit to bring together youth, entrepreneurs & leaders this August

The Cree Nation Government Department of Commerce and Industry (DCI) is thrilled to announce that the 2^nd Cree Nation Business Summit will take place on August 19-21, 2025, in Mistissini. This year’s Summit, themed “Eeyou Entrepreneurship in Focus,” will build on last year’s successful youth-focused gathering, expanding to welcome leaders and established business owners in addition to the next generation of entrepreneurs. The event promises to be a pivotal moment for the Eeyou economy, uniting entrepreneurial hopefuls, trailblazers, and decision-makers to connect, learn, and build together.

For youth, the Summit provides an unmatched opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and build real-world business skills in a new way. The three-day youth program, built around the Bear Den Business Case Study Competition, offers participants the chance to compete for prizes while accessing workshops, expert speakers, and mentorship.

Meanwhile, established businesses and leaders will strengthen connections through two Business Exchange Days, featuring educational sessions, networking, and change-making conversations that span communities, generations, and industries.

The event will close with the first-ever Regional Business Awards Gala, where attendees will celebrate the legacy and history of Eeyou entrepreneurship. In recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the inaugural Awards will focus on longstanding businesses that have paved the way for today’s Eeyou economy.

“At last year’s Summit, it was remarkable to see how just a few days of learning and dialogue left youth delegates filled with ideas, confidence, and relationships that could shape their futures. We saw the power of being together with a shared purpose, and it inspired us to create something bigger,” said Anthony MacLeod, Director of Commerce and Industry.  “Strong connections build strong economies, and the Summit is our chance to get together, learn from each other, and take real steps forward so Eeyou entrepreneurship can thrive.”

For Executive Director Davey Bobbish, the Summit represents an opportunity for growth and connection at a symbolic moment for Eeyou Istchee. “Fifty years ago, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement laid the foundation for our self-determination. This Cree Nation Business Summit is an opportunity for us to build on that foundation, empowering the next generation to strengthen our economic future. This is how we continue the work our leaders began five decades ago–by joining together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other.”

To register for the Cree Nation Business Summit, or to learn more about the event, please visit:
https://site.pheedloop.com/event/CreeNationBusinessSummit/home.

For further information:
Anthony MacLeod, Director of Commerce and Industry
Email: businesssummit@cngov.ca