(ANNews) \u2013 Marnie Suitor and Shelly Mandeville serve as co-Executive Directors of Aksis, the Indigenous Business and Professional Association based in Edmonton. Aksis is a membership-driven, not-for-profit organization that supports Indigenous entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses by strengthening economic participation, professional development, and cross-cultural relationship-building within the urban economy. The organization also works to connect members with business opportunities, support capacity building, and promote Indigenous inclusion in regional economic systems, where the majority of Indigenous people in Alberta now live.<\/p>\n
Aksis supports Indigenous professionals and entrepreneurs by creating space for economic participation, business development, and relationship-building across Indigenous and non-Indigenous sectors.<\/p>\n
Leadership and Mandate<\/p>\n
Marnie Suitor has been involved with the organization for approximately 14 years, holding several roles before stepping into executive leadership about two years ago.<\/p>\n
Suitor describes Aksis as an organization focused on advancing Indigenous prosperity through economic development and professional growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe easiest way to explain Aksis is that it is focused on Indigenous prosperity in the economic development space,\u201d said Suitor. \u201cThe role of Aksis is to create safe spaces for non-Indigenous businesses and professionals to learn and share alongside Indigenous members, while increasing capacity to participate in the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly Mandeville brings a complementary perspective grounded in lived experience as an Indigenous entrepreneur.<\/p>\n
Mandeville said Aksis works to address structural and relational gaps in Indigenous economic participation within urban environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a growing population of Indigenous professionals and entrepreneurs in cities, but the systems that support economic development were not designed with Indigenous participation in mind,\u201d said Mandeville. \u201cWhat exists is not a lack of participation \u2013 it is a lack of alignment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suitor explained that Aksis was established in 2009 in response to gaps identified in Indigenous economic development supports in Alberta. Its early development was influenced by work connected to the Wicihitowin Circle of Shared Responsibility Society.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, there was a clear lack of focus on Indigenous economic development and on building professional capacity in business fields,\u201d said Suitor.<\/p>\n
Community leaders in Edmonton held a series of focus groups to identify gaps and opportunities. Aksis was formed with support from the City of Edmonton to address those needs.<\/p>\n
Urban Realities and Economic Participation<\/p>\n
Suitor noted that many Indigenous people are moving into urban centres in search of opportunity, but that transition often creates challenges around connection and belonging.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a significant migration of Indigenous people into larger urban centres,\u201d said Suitor. \u201cIn that transition, many can feel disconnected or unsure of where they fit, and that is where Aksis plays a role.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Alberta, more than 70% of First Nations, M\u00e9tis, and Inuit people now live in urban centres, yet coordinated systems to support Indigenous participation in urban economies remain limited.<\/p>\n
Creating Opportunity Through Action<\/p>\n
Suitor said Aksis works through education, networking, and advocacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAksis provides opportunities for members to access information that helps move their businesses forward,\u201d said Suitor. \u201cThere are also many networking opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suitor added that Aksis participates in policy discussions affecting Indigenous communities in urban settings. \u201cAksis sits at policy tables where decisions are being made, and Aksis consistently advocates for equity and fairness,\u201d Suiter explained.<\/p>\n
Mandeville added that Aksis functions as a form of economic infrastructure. \u201cAksis functions as connective tissue, linking Indigenous professionals, entrepreneurs, and opportunities within the broader economy\u2026This relational infrastructure is often invisible in conventional models, but it is essential to how Indigenous economies function.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aksis is Indigenous-led and governed. The board consists of nine members, eight of whom are Indigenous. Voting structures at the Annual General Meeting ensure Indigenous members retain decision-making authority.<\/p>\n
Systemic Barriers and Economic Participation<\/p>\n
Suitor identified economic development and education as key pathways toward long-term change. \u201cAt Aksis, the belief is that the way out of poverty is through economic development and education,\u201d said Suitor. \u201cThese allow Indigenous businesses to earn a living, pay taxes, and fully participate in society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suitor referenced UNDRIP, Section 35 of the Constitution, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission\u2019s 94 Calls to Action, noting that many commitments remain unfulfilled. \u201cThere needs to be a genuine interest in improving Indigenous prosperity \u2013 not just at the policy level, but in implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suitor also described ongoing structural challenges rooted in colonial systems. \u201cThese systems are rooted in colonial frameworks that people still have to navigate,\u201d said Suitor. \u201cIt is not about capability \u2013 it is about the systems placed in front of Indigenous peoples.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suiter described these barriers as cumulative, comparing them to a \u201cbrick wall,\u201d where policy changes intended to reduce barriers often add new layers of complexity.<\/p>\n
Aksis highlights ongoing gaps in data collection regarding Indigenous economic participation. While national tools such as the Indigenous Peoples Survey provide some insight, they often fail to distinguish between urban and on-reserve economic realities.<\/p>\n
Mandeville noted that data collection is also shaped by trust and sovereignty concerns. \u201cThere are valid concerns around data sovereignty and how Indigenous data has been used historically,\u201d said Mandeville. \u201cMuch of the data focuses on deficits rather than capturing success, such as business growth and revenue generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without a fuller picture, effective policy and investment design becomes more difficult.<\/p>\n
Present Opportunities and Vision for the Future<\/p>\n
Suitor said the vision for the future is full Indigenous participation in Alberta\u2019s economy. \u201cThe vision is for the Indigenous community to take its rightful place and be fully engaged in economic development and career opportunities.\u201d Suitor also emphasized the importance of working with allies committed to meaningful change. \u201cIt is important to align with those who are genuinely open to doing this work collaboratively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suitor shared an example where an allied company engaged Aksis during an RFP process and intentionally included Indigenous participation. Aksis supported connections to Indigenous subcontractors and professionals, resulting in Indigenous employment, subcontracting opportunities, and hiring outcomes.<\/p>\n
Suitor encourages Indigenous entrepreneurs to engage with ongoing development across Alberta. \u201cThere is significant development happening, including infrastructure and resource projects. It is important for Indigenous businesses to be aware of these opportunities and prepared with strong business cases.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mandeville added that this moment represents a critical opportunity in Western Canada\u2019s economic expansion. \u201cThe question is not whether Indigenous businesses want to participate. The question is whether systems are in place to support readiness and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mandeville noted that readiness includes access to capital, networks, procurement pathways, and information.<\/p>\n
Aksis is currently collaborating with Run With It Synthetics, an Indigenous-owned data and systems firm, on an initiative focused on the urban Indigenous economy. The project aims to map barriers, pathways, and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals in urban centres.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about building the foundation for a more coordinated approach to urban Indigenous economic development,\u201d said Mandeville. \u201cThe activity exists. What has been missing is the structure to support it at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aksis is seeking collaborative partners and investment to advance this work.<\/p>\n
Suitor encourages Indigenous communities and allies to engage with Aksis. \u201cThis is not just for Indigenous people \u2013 it is also for allies committed to this work. Through collaboration, more can be achieved together.\u201d<\/p>\n