Welcome to this month's newsletter, where we embark on a multifaceted journey, exploring the landscape of financial wellness, the resilience of Arctic entrepreneurs and strategies for fostering economic diversity.

Izzy Haywood, Shaelene Grace Moler and Marc Wheeler traveled to Haines to facilitate a two-day Business Basics for Artists workshop, organized under a contract with Chilkoot Indian Association, as part of a two-year effort to improve business skills among Chilkat Valley artists.

From our recent participation in the Southeast Conference annual meeting to the prestigious recognition from the International Economic Development Council, and an opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Spruce Root, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting rural communities, is thrilled to announce that the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has selected the Path to Prosperity (P2P) suite of services as a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Award Winner.  IEDC is a non-profit membership organization for economic developers all over the world with more than 4,300 members.

It's an exciting time at Spruce Root, and we have some fantastic updates and opportunities to share with you. From welcoming a new member, Shaelene Grace Moler, to our team to the launch of the Native Craft Artist Readiness Program, there's a lot to dive into.

September is right around the corner and it has us feeling nostalgic for an amazing summer season. Going for hikes, hanging out on the beach or going for boat rides were a crucial part of our experiences. Summer is a time for culture camps, Alaskan youth stewards field seasons, etc. We hope you had a great summer.

The Spruce Root team enjoys many outdoor summer activities including hiking, boating and subsistence gathering. We also have been busy partnering with Chilkoot Indian Association to provide Business Basics Online for CIA and Haines-based Alaska Arts Confluence artists. In addition, the City and Borough of Yakutat Planning Commission encourages Yakutat residents to take a community planning survey to inform the direction of the community for the next 10 years.

A new pet supply store in Sitka features high-quality treats and toys for cats and dogs. For the owner, starting a business in her hometown didn’t seem possible at first. But through training and support coaching from Spruce Root, pet owners have a new place to buy treats for their pets.