News

The Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce our brand-new logo, a fresh visual identity that reflects our mission, heritage, and vision for the future.

The new design features a bold, modern font paired with a trio of feathers in rich shades of blue. These feathers symbolize unity, growth, and the strength of our Haudenosaunee community. The clean, professional look honors our traditional values while embracing innovation and progress.

As we continue to support local businesses and foster economic growth in Akwesasne, this logo represents a renewed commitment to collaboration, cultural pride, and business excellence.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we grow together, stronger than ever.

Shé:kon Future Chamber Members,

We are pleased to provide you with the latest updates from the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce as we continue to build our foundation to support our local business community.

We would like to acknowledge that a monthly update was not issued in May as we focused our efforts on finalizing key initiatives. We appreciate your understanding and are excited to share several important updates and progress made during May and June, along with upcoming initiatives.

1. Collaboration with the MCA Department of Economic Development

On May 12, 2025, the Chamber met with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Department of Economic Development to explore ways to collaborate and strengthen economic opportunities across our community. This conversation marks important steps in aligning our efforts to support long-term economic growth and we look forward to building a strong working relationship to benefit our local business community.

2. Election for the Vacant Chamber Secretary Position

The Chamber has had a vacancy in the Secretary position since March 2025. An election for the vacant Secretary position on the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce Board was held from June 4–11, 2025. We are pleased to announce that the successful candidate is Chantelle White. Chantelle brings a wealth of experience in administration, and her expertise will help strengthen our team. With a strong background in business, record-keeping, and organizational support, her knowledge and attention to detail will be a valuable asset to the Chamber. Please join us in welcoming Chantelle to our team!

3. ACC Futures Cornwall Collaboration Meeting

On May 29, 2025, the Chamber had a productive meeting with ACC Futures (Akwesasne, Cornwall, and the Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry). They provide economic development and business support services to the communities of Akwesasne, Cornwall, and the United Counties of Stormont, Dunas, and Glengarry. Discussions focused on collaboration, shared goals, and ways to support and uplift local entrepreneurs through partnerships.

4. Chamber Membership Guide

Over the last couple months we have been designing a Chamber Membership Guide. The guide provides information on what a Chamber of Commerce is, membership benefits and services, membership opportunities, along with a breakdown of our membership tiers. We are currently finalizing the membership application, which will be done by the end of this week. We plan to launch the Chamber membership the beginning of July 2025. Stay tuned for details on how to join. This guide will help community members and business owners better understand the value of having a Chamber membership.

5. Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce - Business Community Survey Results

The Chamber conducted a survey to reach out to local businesses to better understand your needs, gather feedback, and ensure we provide the most relevant support and resources. The survey aimed to see how familiar business owners are with the Chamber, what service or programs you would like the Chamber to offer, challenges you face as a business owner, and the types of networking opportunities that would be most beneficial to your business. The results provided valuable insights into areas requiring attention and highlighted the need to help business owners better understand what the Chamber is and what we have to offer.

The survey was open from April 9 to May 24, 2025, and was available to all businesses located in both the northern and southern portions of Akwesasne. We received 59 responses. Although the number of responses was modest, we are able to gather vital information, identify common challenges, and recognize the need for greater support and resources.

Quick summary of Survey Results:Location of Business:

•10.2% – St. Regis

•10.2% – Cornwall Island

•10.1% – Snye

•69.5% – Southern Portion of Akwesasne

Familiarity with the Chamber:

•18.6% – Familiar

•20.3% – Not familiar

•61% – Somewhat familiar

Top Services and Programs Requested include:

•91.5% – Access to Funding or Grants

•71.2% – Business Development Workshops

•69.5% – Marketing & Promotional SupportMain Challenges Business Owners Face:

•71.2% – Access to Capital/Funding

•47.5% – Marketing and Visibility

•40.7% – Technology and Digital Presence

Key Challenges in Serving Canadian Customers:

•78% – Currency Fluctuations

Most Requested Training and Education areas:

•64.4% – Digital Marketing & Social Media

•59.3% – Financial Management & Bookkeeping

•50.8% – Legal & Regulatory Compliance

For those who answered "Yes, to volunteer or serve on a committee", we will be

reaching out as we begin forming our committees. We thank you in advance for your

support.

Nia:wen / Thank you for your responses! We value your input and are using the results

to guide future Chamber priorities. We are currently working on setting dates for

networking and training events based on your feedback.

6. Collaboration with the Akwesasne Career & Employment Services (ACESS)

On June 24, 2025, the Chamber held a productive meeting with ACESS to explore

opportunities for collaboration. Discussions focused on how the Chamber and ACESS

can work together to support businesses, particularly in the areas of workforce

development, training opportunities, and employer services. This partnership represents

a step forward in aligning business growth with community employment and training

needs.

7. Save the Date: First Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce Meeting - July 23, 2025 We are excited to announce that our first Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Details on the agenda and location will be shared shortly.

8. Next Steps

Based on the feedback received, the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce will focus on increasing awareness of our services, improving access to funding information, and offering practical support through workshops and training. Key initiatives include launching our Chamber membership campaign, creating a centralized funding resource hub, delivering a hub for workshops, and organizing networking opportunities. We will also explore new partnerships to enhance the value we provide to our members.Stay Connected & Get Involved We invite you to follow our updates and join the conversation on our social media pages and website. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a vibrant and inclusivebusiness environment in Akwesasne.

Nia:wen/Thank you for your continued support!

Rachel Lazare
President, Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce

Shé:kon Future Chamber Members,

As we reach the two-month mark in re-establishing the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud of the meaningful progress we’ve made in laying a strong foundation to support our local business community. We’re pleased to share some exciting updates on our recent progress and upcoming initiatives.

1. Strengthening Relationships with Local Leadership

On March 31, 2025, the Chamber had the honor of meeting with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Chiefs, further reinforcing our commitment to building meaningful partnerships that support community-wide economic development. We also held productive discussions on April 7, 2025, with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Office of Economic Development to identify collaborative opportunities that will benefit local entrepreneurs and businesses. These conversations mark important steps in aligning our efforts to support long-term economic growth in Akwesasne.

2. Governance Milestone – By-laws Passed

We are proud to share that the Chamber’s official by-laws were finalized and passed in early April. These foundational documents provide a clear and transparent governance structure that will ensure accountability, sustainability, and alignment with our mission to advocate for the business community.

3. New Logo and Branding

As part of our rebranding efforts, the Chamber has created a new official logo. The previous logo was not owned by the Chamber, so this fresh design allows us to move forward with full ownership and pride in our visual identity. Stay tuned as we begin to incorporate the new logo into our communications and outreach.

4. Welcoming a New Board Member

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie Gardner to our Board of Directors. Laurie brings a wealth of experience in marketing and communications and has already been instrumental in updating and managing the Chamber’s website and Facebook page. Her expertise will help strengthen our digital presence and member engagement as we grow.

5. Nominations Opening Soon – Secretary Position

As part of our continued efforts to strengthen the Chamber’s leadership, we will be accepting nominations for the Secretary position, which was previously filled but has since been vacated due to resignation. We will be announcing the by-election datesoon. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting the Chamber’s mission and contributing to our growth, we encourage you to submit a nomination.

6. Business Community Survey Launched

On April 9, 2025, the Chamber officially launched its Business Community Survey to gather valuable insights from our local business community. The survey is open until May 10, 2025. We encourage all business owners and entrepreneurs to participate. Your input will guide the Chamber’s programs and advocacy efforts in the months ahead.

7. Collaboration with the North Country Small Business Center

We also met with the Michelle Collins, Business Advisor, with the North Country Small Business Development Center to explore ways we can better support startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Akwesasne. This relationship offers promising potential for workshops, mentorship, and resources that directly benefit our local business owners. We look forward to building on this connection in the months ahead.

8. Next Steps

We are currently working on setting a date for our first official Chamber meeting, where we will connect directly with future members, share updates, and begin building a strong network of local business leaders. Planning is also underway for our first fundraiser, which will support the Chamber’s initiatives and growth. Once the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce, Business Community Survey is complete, we will prepare a detailed report summarizing the findings and outlining how the Chamber will respond to identified priorities. Your feedback will shape our roadmap moving forward.

Stay Connected & Get Involved

We invite you to follow our updates and join the conversation on our social media pages and website. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a vibrant and inclusive business environment in Akwesasne.

Nia:wen/Thank you for your continued support!

Rachel Lazare
President, Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce

Shé:kon Future Chamber Members,

The Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce is in the process of being re-established to support local businesses and promote economic development in our community. We are excited to share the latest updates on our progress and key initiatives.

1. Re-Establishment of the Chamber & Board of Directors: On February 12, 2025, an election was held to form a new Board of Directors. Theelected members are:

• President: Rachel Lazare
• Vice President: Jodie Thompson
• Treasurer: Krystal Boots
• Secretary: Anastasia George*

Since the election, the newly formed Board has been meeting weekly to lay the foundation for a strong and effective Chamber. Our focus is on ensuring the Chamber will be a powerful advocate for local businesses and the community. (Anastasia George has since resigned as Secretary to focus on her business. The Board is reviewing options to fill this vacancy and will provide an update soon.

2. Key Priorities & Recent Developments - Drafting the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce By-laws We are developing a clear and transparent governance structure to align with the needs of our business community. These by-laws will define the Chamber’s operations and ensure accountability. Re-establishing our partnership with the North Country Chamber of Commerce – On March 17, 2025, we marked a significant milestone by signing a Partnership Agreement with the North Country Chamber of Commerce. This Agreement establishes a collaborative relationship between our organizations to enhance business support services and promote economic development in both regions. This partnership will provide valuable networking opportunities, access to business resources, and advocacy for local entrepreneurs.Business Needs Assessment Survey We will be launching a survey to gather valuable input from the business community. This survey will help identify key challenges, resources, and support services needed by local businesses. The results will guide the Chamber’s efforts to ensure we are providing relevant and effective services to our members. Collaboration with the Saint Regis, Mohawk Tribe, Office of Economic Development

The Chamber has initiated discussions with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Office of Economic Development to explore opportunities that support business growth and sustainability in Akwesasne.

Developing a Three-Year Strategic Plan We are outlining key goals and initiatives to promote economic development, support entrepreneurship, and enhance business networking opportunities in our community.

3. Stay Connected & Get Involved

We are committed to creating a strong, sustainable business environment. As we continue this process, we look forward to engaging with local entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members. Stay tuned for more updates, and Nia:wen/Thank you for your support!

Rachel Lazare
President, Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce