Thursday October 26, 2017, StFX Innovation and Enterprise Centre partnered with Common Good Solutions (CGS) and the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia (SENNS) to bring their Conversations for the Common Good Series to Antigonish. These gatherings are designed to bring entrepreneurs and change-makers together with residents of the local community to act as a starting point for addressing a challenge their community is facing, or simply to learn more about what social enterprise is and how it can work for the local community.
As our rural communities continue to struggle with youth retention and economic prosperity, social enterprise provides an exciting opportunity for rural business to thrive; meeting not only the goal of building businesses and creating jobs, but also working to solve some of the social and environmental challenges our communities are facing.
The event featured a number of local social enterprises including Krista Thompson of Paqtnkek First Nation. Krista lives in Paqtnkek First Nation and is the founder of the Mi’kmaq Crafters’ Association. She is an avid Mi’kmaq crafter who has brought together talented Mi’kmaq crafters and artisans from across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Quebec to form the board of this new non-profit organization. The Mi’kmaq Crafters’ Association provides high quality cultural, social and entrepreneurial opportunities for Mi’maq artisans in Atlantic Canada.