A program designed to kick-start Indigenous businesses in southern Alberta is jumping straight from its successful pilot and into its second class.

The Indigenous Arts and Entrepreneurship Program, run by Business Link and Saamis Aboriginal Employment and Training Association, helped 12 participants launch their own businesses over the course of 24 weeks.

A new cohort will start the program in Lethbridge at the end of March.

"We realized there was already a lot of entrepreneurs here, they just didn't have the support, they didn't have the resources and they didn't have the network to make things happen," said Piinaakoyim Tailfeathers, the program facilitator.

He says a typical day in the program included arts and crafts instruction and business development.

"I think the main goal is for us, individually, to be developing ourselves so we can collectively improve our economic sustainability on reserve," said Tailfeathers.

Affordable regalia, Indian tacos

The program produced a range of businesses, including two food trucks, one of which will focus on selling "Indian tacos" and aims to travel throughout the region for events in the summer months.

Cindy Redcrow says her business, Redcrow Creations, will focus on custom beadwork and affordable powwow regalia.

"I've always liked playing store, like when I was a little child, and to me, this is my dream job," she said. "I've gotten to that point where I can make money and be happy and be self-sufficient with it."

Redcrow started selling her creations, first at a table, and then at a kiosk, as a side job almost 10 years ago. The course helped her develop a plan to transition to being self-employed full time.

"I want a lot of people to get back into their culture. I want to help children, I want to help little boys and little girls dance on the powwow trail," she said of her motivation.

"To me, I feel that if they're engaging in some activity like that in the summer, they're less likely to get into trouble or going down the wrong path."

First Nations economy

Redcrow, who's from the Blood Reserve, says it's important to create more Indigenous businesses.

"We definitely need an economy on our reserve. Our economy is basically nothing."

The program is free for participants and helps set them up to apply for grants and other funding.

Tailfeathers says two participants have secured funding, one totalling $80,000, while the other secured $200,000.