Fashion designer chosen as aspiring business person

Saskatoon Aboriginal
fashion designer Devon Fiddler is among the first recipients of funding from
the new Michaelle Jean Foundation Young Arts Entrepreneur initiative. Fiddler,
one of eight aspiring business people chosen from 60 applicants, received
$7,500. The program provides start-up capital as well as business and arts
mentors to under-served youth seeking to launch an arts-based business over a
two-year period. Fiddler is a social entrepreneur from the Waterhen Lake First
Nation. She is building SheNative, a brand of handbags and accessories. Fiddler
has a bachelor's degree in Aboriginal public administration through the
University of Saskatchewan, her technical Aboriginal economic developers
certificate through the Council for the Advancement of Native Development
Officers, and she has completed a program through the COADY International
Institute of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. She is also one
of 21 entrepreneurs chosen to participate in a new international program, the
Startup Generation Global Fellowship program. Fiddler will be mentored in
business plan development, marketing and other business skills. The award is backed
by BMO, CIBC and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.