Akiwenzie's Fish

For the Akiwenzies, operating a business on the Reservation gives Andrew and Natasha the opportunity to live their traditions, but it also brings, and sometimes exacerbates, the challenges of operating a small business. Here are five big ones:

• Production Limits—The Canadian government limits the Chippewa to fishing out 90,000 pounds annually. That limits the long-term growth of Akiwenzie’s.
• Scale—Short-term limits are imposed by Andrew’s boat, which only carries between 150-200 pounds per run. As the sole fisherman for Akiwenzie’s Fish, Andrew sometimes can’t meet his own demand, so he needs to source fish from other vendors whose fish don’t meet his strict quality standards. Consequently, the Akiwenzies would like to get a bigger boat, a new processing facility, and more staff. Expansion, however, will be difficult, because the Chippewa lack access to banks and other common sources of capital.
• Insurance—Canadian law also virtually prevents the Chippewas from buying insurance. This means that the Akiwenzies have no protection against accidents or lawsuits. The positive implication is that it has heightened their commitment to the highest quality product and strictest safe food handling procedures. But it also means “you can’t make a mistake,” says Andrew. Any major disruption, from a lawsuit to a broken boat to a personal injury to a span of terrible weather, could knock Akiwenzie’s Fish out of business.
• Workforce—The Akiwenzies also are concerned that the reservation has not supported a strong work ethic, which means it is difficult to train, and retain, reliable help. “The reserve is supposed to be a place where we felt free but....we’re so far from an economic base that it’s almost like a prison.”
• Harassment—Andrew reports that his lines are cut up to three times a year and he wonders if the culprits are his competitors or possibly racially motivated hate criminals. Repairing the nets is a huge cost and headache.

Despite the challenges, Akiwenzie’s Fish has emerged as an important model in Ontario’s regional food system. Its success can certainly be replicated by other fishing businesses equally attentive to quality.

The Akiwenzies encourage those who might follow their path to adopt some of the successful strategies they have learned: Base the business on your own background, skills, and passions. Carefully define a market and methodically serve it. Grow the business slowly and overcome challenges with creativity rather than cash. Identify investment partners (something the Akiwenzies didn’t do up front, but are looking for now). Pay close attention to detail and personally cultivate a customer network. And above all, stay true to your values and cultural beliefs.