Victoria LaBillois: Economic Reconciliation

Victoria LaBillois, is a visionary Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listugui, Quebec who shares her inspiring journey and unwavering commitment to reshaping the narrative of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada. As the owner and president of Wejipeg Excavation and co-owner and president of Wejuseg Construction Inc., she's carving her path in the construction industry while championing economic reconciliation for Indigenous communities. Victoria's entrepreneurial journey began humbly, selling t-shirts, and swiftly evolved into ventures generating passive income, eventually leading to the acquisition of her first apartment building. After recognizing the potential in the wind energy sector, she founded Wejipeg Excavation, and then Wejuseg Construction. Both businesses emerged from her determination to overcome obstacles, emphasizing the crucial need for economic reconciliation and equitable access to opportunities for Indigenous peoples.  Victoria's dedication shines through in the success story of training Indigenous tradespeople for wind park construction, underscoring the power of support and community in overcoming adversity.  With a strong commitment to inclusivity, Victoria actively encourages women to consider careers in the construction industry, serving as a beacon of change and empowerment. Takeaways Entrepreneurship can start with small ventures and progress to larger opportunities. Recognizing opportunities within emerging sectors can be a pathway to achieving business success.In the construction industry, overcoming obstacles and building partnerships are essential for successfully navigating challenges. Economic reconciliation is necessary to address the historical exclusion of Indigenous people from the economy. Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Background (00:30) Getting Involved in the Construction Industry (01:09) Opportunities in the Wind Energy Industry (03:00) Overcoming Barriers and Forming Wejuseg Construction (04:20) Starting the Business with Limited Resources (05:24) Challenges and Learning in the Early Years (06:15) Building a Crew and Growing the Business (06:40) Diversifying Employment Opportunities (07:37) The Importance of Economic Reconciliation (08:15) Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles (08:52) The Need for Economic Reconciliation (19:00) Engaging Indigenous Workers in the Construction Industry (21:25) Training Indigenous Tradespeople for Wind Park Construction (24:36) The Significance of Winning an Indspire Award (28:00) Becoming a Change Maker (29:06) Advice to Younger Self (30:47) Conclusion and Call to Action Find out more about Victoria and her work: https://www.wejuseg.com/