Despite constant state of ‘survival mode,’ Indigenous entrepreneurs pursue their dreams [Video]

Indigenous retailer Chelsee-Marie Pettit was startled recently when customers at Toronto’s Stackt Market asked her where she donates the proceeds from her business.

The question was “just crazy” because Indigenous businesses are not charities, says Pettit, founder of aaniin retail inc., a streetwear company.

Her store is like a miniature department store for Indigenous-owned brands. Aaniin means hello in anishnaabemowin, the language of Ojibwe. Pettit is an Anishinaabe member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. 

By the new year, Pettit says she’ll be selling exclusively online. 

It’s hard. She says she put up her own money to start her business and now she’s saddled with significant personal debt. But Pettit’s dream is still to run Canada’s first department store that’s Indigenous owned.

“There’s …