Waubetek Business Development Corporation

Waubetek Business Development Corporation
Type	Organization
Founded	1989

Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an organization mentioned in Anishinabek News.

In Anishinabek News

• November 2015: The corporation is developing a Centre of Excellence on Aboriginal Mining as part of a broader strategy for northeastern Ontario. Consultations for the mining strategy were held in communities ranging from Batchewana to Temagami. As of November 2015, the organization received funding to create a business plan for the proposed mining centre.
• March 2017: Business Development Officer Alex Weeks represented the corporation at the 2017 session in Toronto.
• January 2019: In January 2019, this corporation received funding to establish and operate a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Mineral Development for a four-year period. The organization launched a mining strategy in 2015 to increase employment and business opportunities for First Nations people in the mining industry. The corporation aims to ensure First Nations are consulted regarding mining and exploration within their traditional territories.
• February 2020: The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce named this organization the Indigenous Enterprise of the Year on January 21, 2020. Since its establishment in 1989, the corporation has provided over $95 million in financing to more than 3,000 Indigenous businesses and initiatives. The institution provides business advice and economic development services to First Nations throughout North-Eastern Ontario.
• February 2020: The corporation provides financial services to Indigenous entrepreneurs and 27 First Nations in northeastern Ontario. Dawn Madahbee Leach has served as the general manager of the institution since 1988.
• March 2020: The corporation signed a letter of interest with Laurentian University on March 3, 2020, to cooperate on mineral development initiatives. The organization aims to foster partnerships between mining firms and Indigenous communities through impact and benefit agreements. The mission of the corporation is to enhance the economies of First Nation communities and Northeastern Ontario.
• September 2020: The corporation provides business services to 27 First Nations and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Under the leadership of Dawn Madahbee Leach, the organization adopted electronic fund transfers and online document signing to assist clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board reacted to pandemic lockdowns in March 2020 to mitigate impacts on community businesses.
• October 2020: The corporation was thanked by Duke Peltier for its role in supporting the Wood Pellet Heating and Infrastructure Project.
• December 2020: This corporation helps Indigenous entrepreneurs secure financing for their small businesses. It provides support for the development of business plans to help individuals become self-employed.
• May 2021: The corporation has been led by Dawn Madahbee Leach as general manager since 1988.
• October 2022: The organization primarily invests in individual entrepreneurs but also supports community-owned businesses. Its business model was presented to Māori leaders as a potential template for a network of financial institutions in New Zealand.
• December 2022: The corporation partnered with Nipissing First Nation to fund the modular hydroponic farm venture.
• June 2023: The organization is one of the financial supporters of the Mnogin Greenhouse project.
• October 2023: The corporation is managed by Dawn Madahbee-Leach, who is a keynote speaker at the Economic Development Opportunities Forum.
• March 2025: Dawn Madahbee Leach has served as the general manager of this corporation since 1988.
• October 2025: The corporation is led by general manager Dawn Madahbee Leach. It is described as a leading Indigenous financial institution involved in supporting business opportunities for First Nation communities.
• December 2025: The corporation has been managed by Dawn Madahbee Leach since 1988.
• July 2026: The corporation facilitates the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative which supported the Curve Lake First Nation project.