Vision Quest a source of inspiration

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This article was published 16/05/2016 (3675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local indigenous entrepreneurs are tapping into a growing network of independent business opportunities.

Founded 20 years ago, the Vision Quest Conference has helped dozens of indigenous entrepreneurs pursue their professional dreams. Today it is Canada’s longest-running Aboriginal business, community and economic development conference. This year’s conference happens at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg from May 17 to 19.

Ian Cramer, a Tuxedo local and CEO of First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, was on the original board of directors for Vision Quest two decades ago. Cramer says the idea for Vision Quest arose from the need for more opportunities to share best practices and network in the Aboriginal business community.

“It turned out to be a success and it’s grown from there,” Cramer said. “I think it’s stuck true to its values of good and improved communications between all the people working in the industry.”

Cramer, who is also one of this year’s honorary chairs, said over the decades Vision Quest has evolved from simply a networking forum to a conference that addresses business challenges from an Aboriginal perspective.

“In my opinion it has evolved and grown to be more inclusive of youth,” he said. “That has helped the conference grow.

“The board has tried to do things over the years to keep it interesting because it’s an annual conference and we want to keep people coming. The first year we got about 200 people now we get about 1,000.”

Vision Quest also involves workshops covering the basics of business operations to new and emerging opportunities in the marketplace.

“If you are going to a workshop you are definitely going to learn something. It’s not a bunch of fluff or anything like that,” Cramer said.

Brenda Parsons attended the first Vision Quest Conference in 1997 as an account representative for a large printing corporation. Little did she know that she’d leave with the idea for her own business at the conference’s conclusion.

“There was more than a handful of people who after meeting me said you have very strong business acumen and sales experience you should think about starting your own business because we need role models in Winnipeg and Manitoba,” she explained.

Five years later Parsons, who lives in Wolseley and is a member of Peguis First Nation, opened All Nations Print.

“I had no intention of following through on that (idea),” Parsons said. “However five years after that event an opportunity became available to at least try, and the doors kept opening.”

Parsons credits the Vision Quest Conference as the impetus for her to pursue independent enterprise and believes that there is much to be gained by participating in the programs.

“You are going to meet forward-thinking individuals. People who attend in the conference are looking at advancing themselves or the community; they are not usually satisfied with the status quo,” she said.

“One thing that you see in Winnipeg and Manitoba is that there isn’t a lot of Aboriginal businesses,” she added. “So it’s really important to touch base with other people who are doing things,” Parsons said.

Cramer agrees, adding that between the speakers, workshops, and trade show, participants will leave having learned a valuable skill.

“It motivates people to believe in themselves because you’ve got to believe in yourself if you’re going to start up or run a business,” he said.

To register for the conference or for more information about the program and speakers go to www.vqconference.com