CBJ JANUARY 2026

25 ULNOOWEG AT 40: BUILDING THE FUTURE, ROOTED IN TRADITION JANUARY 2026 « The Canadian Business Journal 24 efforts to expand access to Indigenous- led capital through vehicles such as the Indigenous Growth Fund. It also underpins the organization’s ongoing work to formalize STEM learning — including an accredited curriculum that counts as a half-credit within public schools. “Education, culture and capital must move together,” says Googoo. “That’s how we create real opportunity.” Anchored in Fisheries & Future The fisheries sector remains a vital pillar of Indigenous economic development, and Ulnooweg has played an essential role in helping communities participate and lead. The Marshall Decision accelerated Indigenous ownership in fisheries, and Ulnooweg’s support — from strategic purchases to business development — helped communities become active partners, not just participants, in the industry. At the same time, the organization’s education programs are preparing youth for careers in marine research, ocean science, and technology. Through camps and partnerships with academic and research institutions, students explore underwater robotics, marine ecosystems, and climate science — blending Indigenous knowledge with scientific innovation. Capital, Collaboration, and Community Impact As Canada’s financial institutions begin to adapt to Indigenous economic realities, Ulnooweg continues to push boundaries. While banks