Colleen Nolan is an Anishinaabe woman, originally from Garden River First Nation, Ontario.  With over 20 years experience in community and business development, she has worked in the areas of employment and training, economic development and Indigenous tourism where she has supported and guided job seekers and entrepreneurs.  Her specialty includes community engagement, program development and facilitation.  She has facilitated numerous workshops, programs and training sessions targeting Indigenous people including Business Model Canvas, Entrepreneurship, Women’s Empowerment, Business Planning, to name a few.   

As a coach and mentor for Indigenous businesses, she is passionate about community development, capacity building and networking.  She is an entrepreneur and continues to provide service to assist local entrepreneurs including consultation and business plan writing. 

When the pandemic hit, stress and anxiety took a toll and she found comfort and solace in our culture.  Smudging daily, drinking cedar tea and giving thanks, it grounded her.  She also found a new skill – moccasin making and since the onset of the pandemic, has taught over 1000 Indigenous people to make their own pair of moccasin and mitts.  She continues to teach this and to pass this on to people around Ontario and virtually as far as Edmonton and California.