Three Things We’ve Learned from Indigenous Entrepreneurs, Students and Leaders.

This Indigenous Peoples Month, and especially on the recent Indigenous Peoples Day, we are reflecting with gratitude on the relationships and experiences that have shaped our work.

Some of the most meaningful moments we’ve had as a team at Activ8 have come from working alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs, learners and Nation-owned organizations. We’ve been welcomed into spaces of learning, collaboration and growth. These experiences have left a lasting impact on us, and here is what we have learned that has made us better as a business and as people:

1. Business Can Be Rooted in Community and Culture

We regularly witness Indigenous-led businesses prioritize people and the planet before profit. This isn't just a slogan, it’s a deeply held value. It shows up in how decisions are made, how relationships are maintained and how success is defined.

This has influenced how we think about leadership and long-term impact. It has challenged us to slow down, listen more and ask better questions.

2. Leadership Takes Many Forms

Whether we’re facilitating workshops or co-creating learning experiences, we’ve seen leadership expressed through humility, humour, generosity and care. It doesn’t always look like standing at the front of the room. It often looks like making space for others, lifting each other up and bringing strength through quiet consistency.

We are continually learning from these examples.

3. Growth Is About More Than Skill-Building

The Indigenous learners we’ve worked with are committed not just to personal achievement but to creating a better future for their families, their communities and the generations that follow. That kind of vision adds purpose to every training session we lead. It reminds us that business support and education must respect and reflect the diverse values and aspirations of the people in the room.

At Activ8, we don’t take these relationships for granted. We continue to learn from the knowledge systems, cultural teachings and leadership styles we encounter in Indigenous communities.

We are honoured to walk alongside those who invite us into this work, and we remain committed to showing up with care, respect and purpose.

To everyone who has shared their time, trust, and vision with us, thank you.