Funding for Anto Yukon and Kaska Dena Designs will help scale-up, increase productivity and reach international markets
October 19, 2022 - Whitehorse, Yukon - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Small businesses, and their workers, are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities. The government knows how important small businesses are to keeping our country running and we will continue to support them to ensure they can keep growing and giving back to Canadians.
Today, as part of Small Business Week 2022, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor, announced an investment of nearly $200,000 to support the continued growth and expansion of two women-owned Yukon small businesses.
Anto Yukon is receiving $99,999 towards a two-year project to help expand sales to international markets. Anto Yukon is a small business based in Whitehorse that manufactures and sells natural soaps and body care products that are hand-wrapped and packaged in designs by Canadian artists. These products have generated significant interest from consumers and potential distributors that target the international gift market in North America and Japan. CanNor funding supports marketing activities, the purchase and installation of efficient manufacturing equipment, as well as renovations to the new production facility. This will help position the business to deliver to larger, international markets while also promoting opportunities for new partnerships and sales.
Kaska Dena Designs is receiving $99,999 towards a two-year project to support business scale-up and productivity with further investment from the Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council, däna Näye Ventures and the Government of Yukon's Department of Economic Development. Kaska Dena Designs is owned and operated by fashion and jewelry designer Natasha Peter, who is Kaska-Dena from Ross River. Funding towards this project supported participation at New York International Indigenous Fashion Week as well as International Indigenous Fashion Week in Paris. It will also help with the purchase of sewing machines and associated equipment, rental fees for increased production and retail space as well as the hiring of a web content developer to create a professional web presence.
Funding towards these projects, which was delivered through Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth), demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting the sustainable, diversified growth of economic sectors across the North.
