That first $5 typewriter Nicole Robertson got when she was a little girl helped put her on the path to becoming a network television journalist. But she went far beyond those early reporting days to become a leading communications pro focusing on national and regional Indigenous organizations.

Nicole, a Cree member of Mathias Colomb First Nation, has dedicated her life to creating awareness about Indigenous peoples through the media. Robertson is a national speaker and has been invited on many occasions to present master classes on communications, as well in lending her voice as a master of ceremonies or keynote speaker for many national conferences. Her journalism career has taken across North America and into the United Kingdom; writing, directing, producing, and reporting on issues that encompass Indigenous communities.

In 2001, Nicole created and founded Muskwa Productions & Consulting, which specializes in communication advisory services that include media and public relations, media training, social media, event and video production. Muskwa Productions is assisting Indigenous peoples in their communication strategies and needs to create accurate representations of their news and events in educating and informing mainstream media, Canadians and the world in sharing their stories.

Nicole Robertson’s story was published in a book on Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs by Second Story Press. The Cree Entrepreneur is serving as a Board Director for Travel Alberta which is under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through the Province of Alberta. Ms. Robertson recently completed her term as a member of the First Nations Women’s Council on Economic Security through the Province of Alberta.

Links:
Nicole"s email
Linkedin profile

Mike Kuba has had a varied career in security both in the public and private sector. He is a go-to trainer for Indigenous communities that want to provide their own security instead of hiring outsiders. His contact information: mikekuba@hotmail.com.

1:27 Frank describes his move from a national Indigenous financial institute to the newly created NationFUND business.

2:06 Growing up in northern Manitoba and watching the devastating impact of a mine closure.

3:14 How a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and an aptitude for numbers helped shape his career in finance.

5:04 The value of relationship-building and his role as a translator between 'creatives' and 'the bean-counters.'

6:04 He joins the FNFA thanks to his wife's chance airport encounter with Ernie Daniels.

12:13 He sees progress, but systemic barriers are still there.

15:05 How a colonial mindset limits economic development in some First Nations.

18:00. Policy barriers as reserves as seen as 'the Queen's land.'

19:20 The Covid pandemic strikes just as Frank and his partners establish their business.

21:12 The marketing model to find new business.

24:26 Taking the Robin Hood approach to leveraging $$ in community development.

26:14 The Malahat Studio project that shows development can be more than a convenience store.

26:54 The need for equity and the right to sit at the table.

28:08 He sees growth in renewable energy and local food production technology.

31:18 The need to tread a fine line when exploring Indigenous tourism.

33:58 Author Frank Busch and his award-winning Grey Eyes book.

39:41 How to contact Frank for more information – www.nationfund.ca