At Nch’ḵay̓, our mandate is to support the long-term wealth and prosperity of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and its Stélmexw (People) as a whole. Still, we support Sḵwx̱wú7mesh entrepreneurs in several ways:

• the Nch’ú7mut Endorsed Business Registry (NEBR) 

• the Squamish Nation Community Business Directory 

• the regular procurement of goods and services from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh small business owners, such as for the catering of Nch’ḵay̓ meetings and events, the cleaning of our office space, or the purchase of artwork for our offices and businesses.

The NEBR is a database of businesses that have applied and been approved to receive our support in pursuit of procurement opportunities in exchange for a return of value to the Nation. The Squamish Nation Community Business Directory functions like a phone book for businesses that are majority-owned by a Squamish Person, allowing anyone who wants to hire or purchase Sḵwx̱wú7mesh goods and services to easily search and find a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh vendor.

We also sometimes receive questions about the $500-grants that used to be available to support the Nation’s small business owners. The Squamish Nation’s Small Business Office, which used to distribute these grants, closed more than two years ago, and funding for that service was never transferred to Nch’ḵay̓ or our entities. The Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre is now spearheading initiatives to support Sḵwx̱wú7mesh small business owners, including through the creation of a new Nation-led entrepreneurial hub.

For more information on that process, as well as other Nation supports for small business owners, please contact: tradescentre@squamish.net.