Announcing the 2025/2026 Indigenous Entrepreneurship Scholarship Recipients

Oct 14, 2025

The North Forge Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship presented in partnership with Community Futures Manitoba through the Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) program is proud to announce the two recipients Chantel Arcand and Isaac Jackson.

The year-long scholarship includes:

• A 1-year FabLab membership
• Training on state-of-the-art machines
• Shelf space for project development
• Materials and consumables
• Access to mentorship and the broader North Forge community

Meet the Recipients – Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship Recipients

Chantel Arcand

Chantel recently discovered her Métis heritage and sees this scholarship as a meaningful way to connect with her community while expanding her creative business.

This scholarship will provide the mentorship, tools, and guidance I need to scale Inara Hat Co. with intention — honouring both creativity and culture.”

At the FabLab, Chantel plans to use the woodworking shop, laser cutter, and large-format printer to increase production and elevate her brand presence while staying true to her craft.

Isaac Jackson
Isaac sees the scholarship as a critical bridge between his university workshop experience and launching his own craft-based business. It gives him access to advanced equipment and training to scale his pipe-making venture, explore metalwork and CNC machining, and refine his design-to-production workflow.

Through the FabLab, he’ll have the space to experiment, iterate, and bring his ideas to life with precision and creativity. Ultimately, Isaac hopes this experience will help him build a sustainable, culturally rooted, and innovative Indigenous craft business that blends traditional artistry with modern techniques.

Why This Scholarship Matters

The North Forge Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship, supported by Indigenous Business Development Services and Community Futures Manitoba, empowers Indigenous innovators by eliminating financial barriers to prototyping. With access to tools, mentorship, and a supportive community, recipients can take their ideas from concept to commercialization.

Join the Movement

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a maker with a big idea, or part of an organization looking to support innovation, North Forge offers the training, tools, and community to help you succeed.

Visit northforge.ca/fablab to learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.

NT5