CBJ JANUARY 2026

19 ULNOOWEG AT 40: BUILDING THE FUTURE, ROOTED IN TRADITION JANUARY 2026 « The Canadian Business Journal 18 F our decades after its founding, Ulnooweg reflects on its journey from grassroots lender to a national leader in Indigenous innovation, education, and community prosperity. When Ulnooweg began in 1985, it was a small grassroots initiative — a few determined leaders working to open economic doors for Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada. ULNOOWEG HAS EVOLVED into a national model for Indigenous-led development, combining economic growth, education, and cultural renewal into a single, cohesive vision. The Canadian Business Journal recently spoke with Christopher Googoo, Chief Operating Officer at Ulnooweg Development Group, and proud member of the We’koqma’q First Nation. Googoo reflects on a journey defined by persistence, partnership, and purpose — one that has reshaped how Indigenous communities build, lead, and sustain their own futures. “We’re not just lending — we’re building the ecosystem that trains employees, supports entrepreneurs and sustains community wealth,” says Googoo. “We’re not just lending — we’re building the ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs, trains employees, and sustains community wealth,” says Googoo. From Grassroots to Growth Ulnooweg’s early mission was simple but ambitious: to create opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs where few existed. In the 1980s and 1990s, that meant offering access to business loans and financial support that mainstream institutions rarely provided. Over time, however, Ulnooweg’s role expanded beyond lending. A major milestone came in 2013 with the CHRIS GOOGOO, COO, ULNOOWEG