PAULETTE FLAMOND
Executive Director
Paulette Flamond is a strong and proud Metis woman who grew up in Battleford, SK. She found her way to the Peace Region more than 20 years ago, settling in Charlie Lake, BC, where she still resides, dedicating her limited spare time to organic gardening, and weaving her traditional cultural beliefs into a healthy and productive lifestyle.
Paulette holds a certificate in Native Communications from Grant MacEwan University, a certification in Aboriginal Management from UBS Sauder School of Business, and was awarded an Honorary Associate Arts Degree from Northern Lights College. She is a graduate of two Life Coaching programs, and is a licensed Heal Your Life instructor, a program which is directed by the philosophies of Louise Hay.
She is a hands-on entrepreneur and business owner. Her retail store, Scoop Clothing, is arguably the go-to place for women’s fashion in Fort St. John, and her Paint N Party business has become a staple of local entertainment, fusing creativity with a night out.
As an engaged and knowledgeable member of her community, and the surrounding Peace Region, Paulette has long been an advocate for entrepreneurial capacity development for non-status, Metis, Inuit, and Aboriginal peoples. She has been the Executive Director of the Northeast Aboriginal Business Centre (NEABC) since its inception in 2002, and continues to work with her clients to build skills and find solutions through challenging and diversified economic times, in order to take advantage of new, emerging, and existing, opportunities. Her adeptness for adaptability has helped NEABC maintain its relevance through these changing times. She currently serves on the Canada Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), as the Northern BC rep, as well as on the Aboriginal Business Service Network, as a board member. In the past, Paulette has served for the Provincial Government on the Northern Development Initiative Trust, and the Native Economic Development Advisory Board.
Paulette has been honoured with many awards for her advocacy work, including the Northern British Columbia Business and Technology Mentor Award, Aurora Award of Distinction for Aboriginal Woman of the Year from Community Futures, and the Economic Developer of the Year Award from CANDO.
In 2011 Paulette was appointed by the Provincial Minister of MARR, Mary Polak, to the Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women, for the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. She continues to be a driven advocate for Indigenous and non-indigenous women, allowing her empathy to lead her. She is passionate about supporting women and families through developing capacity, building relationships, and connecting people.
Throughout her personal and professional life, unity has been her bottom line. She is a strong personal and professional mentor, spiritual advisor, and loyal and supportive colleague.