Working towards thriving, sustainable, and vibrant small communities.

Invigorating small economies and communities through culturally responsive and locally adapted entrepreneurial leadership training and social innovation initiatives.

Small Economy Works believes that people who are equipped with entrepreneurial mindsets and skill have the power to create positive and lasting change. Youth in rural, remote and Northern communities are our inspiration, and we believe they should be the leading voice and movement without having to seek opportunities away from home.

The Inspire Program

Our flagship “Inspire” Program is an entrepreneurial leadership program that combines principles of social entrepreneurship and leadership with local culture and values. It helps young people build skills to launch their careers or begin a new enterprise. Since 2015, we have delivered more than 25 Inspire training programs across Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon to more than 300 participants.

Small Economy Works acknowledges that our National Organization spans across the traditional territories of all Indigenous People of Turtle Island, which we now call Canada. We respect and affirm the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Inuit, First Nations and Metis  who have defended and protected this land for millennia,  and we are mindful of the need to make right with all our relations.  We celebrate their unique histories, languages, and cultures which make our communities so vibrant. We also  respect and promote Indigenous Peoples’ and Nations' right to remain distinct and pursue their own visions of economic and social development and prosperity. 

Our Values

Reconciliation & Decolonization

We seek to uphold the principles of the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

Person-centered

We seek to know and understand each of our participants individually - their life circumstances, motivations, desires, and unique needs - to ensure our programs, materials, and support meet them where they are at.

Sustainability

We build local capacity, resources, and leadership so that the entrepreneurial ecosystem can thrive over time. We address systemic gaps to ensure meaningful long-lasting change in communities.

Openness to Dialogue

We incorporate humility in our learning processes - exploring what we’re getting right, and where we need to improve. We apply this learning to our work, engaging our participants and partners to support our continued growth and improvement.

Collaboration

We bring together youth, Elders, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs and foster dialogue and innovation on locally-driven responses to community challenges.

Innovation

We foster an environment in which everyone is a leader and a learner, and no idea is too small. We experiment, take on challenges, adapt in the face of challenges, and embody an entrepreneurial mindset in all that we do.

Photograph: The Arbour in Fort Providence; a cultural Space for community events and ceremonies.

Stories from Our Participants

  • "My favorite part of the Program was being given the space and the opportunity to think with an entrepreneurial mindset. I was able to ‘switch-off’ from my 9-5 job and really think about myself, my goals, and my dreams of what I want to do next. It empowered me to be surrounded by like-minded people, to think like a businessperson, and gave me access to support and materials needed to operate a business."

    Shawna McLeod – Fort Providence, NWT

  • "Apply for Inspire, they will help you find what you want to do in your life even if you have no idea what kind of career path or business plan that you have in mind, just go for it because they have all the tools and content that they give you in the program that will help you and guide you with where you want to go, if it's in a career path or a community or if you have a business idea, it will for sure guide you within the 12 weeks."

    Lory-Ann Bertrand – Nahanni Butte, NWT

Read More Stories

Meet the team

Small Economy Works is a multi-generational and multi-cultural organization with staff from from across the Northern Territories and the rest of Canada.