Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On Thursday May 4th, 2017, the Department of Economic Development held a gardening workshop at the Kawehnoke Recreation, which was free to the community. They invited a guest speaker, Mark Leahy from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario. The workshop was focused mainly on information and education on gardening for beginners. There was plenty of information shared, even an experienced gardener could have benefited from the workshop. This workshop has been held for the last couple years, and there will be more gardening workshops in the future. So, if you did not get a chance to attend it this year, you will have another chance next year before gardening season begins.

The presentation included hands on learning, as the participants were able to plant their first seeds during the workshop. The workshop including seeds, and planting tools that are needed to begin growing their plants. It is up to the participants to put their newfound knowledge to use. There were garden themed prizes given out to some lucky participants.

Although the workshop was mainly for education and information, there is also the possibility of someone making a business out of gardening. Mark Leahy comes from a program that does loans and financing for First Nations who have status and are trying to start up a business in Eastern Ontario. It does not have to be specifically in agriculture. The Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario has extended their loans out to basically any native owned business. As long as the business is 51% percent native owned, then they have access to financing for business start-ups from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario.

Although the main objective was not for everyone in attendance to start a gardening or agriculture business, it certainly is an option. There resources are at the disposal of Akwesasne members. It may not be very well known, but if you find that this program can benefit you or someone you know who is trying to start up their own business, get in touch with Economic Development for more information.