First Nation business thrives selling traditional recipes, seasonings

An Anishnawbek woman from the First Nation of Atikameksheng just west of Sudbury has turned her job loss into a flavourful business.

Nish Scon Crisp and Seasoning features products made right on the First Nation. Offerings include traditional recipes to help share the Anishnawbek culture.

Pam Naponse Corbiere lost her job in in 2018 after working in the health care field for more than 15 years.

That's when she made the bold move to create a company featuring traditional Anishnawbek scon mix and seasonings.

"Nish, just the name itself is who I am as Anishnawbek and that is me that is my culture,” Naponse Corbiere said.

“And I think we need to celebrate more our business community our entrepreneurs, our women and build the success up for our younger people who want to look at business ventures."

The scon mix she sells has a rich history. It was handed down by her mother, who is a residential school survivor. Dolores Naponse said the recipe dates back at least five generations.

"My grandmother made it,” Naponse said.

“I have taught all of my other children how to make it. So we all know how to make it and the recipe is very simple.”

She said preparing the scon dough is delicate process.

"Touch is the main part of it,” Naponse said.

“You gotta’ know how to touch it and be very gentle with it and put it in the oven. And once you look in the oven, see how it's forming. Then you are pretty pleased with it.”

To highlight her products, Naponse Corbiere held a Nish lunch.

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She said her products are easy to use and have a special flavours -- but said there is a special ingredient that needs to be added.

"And the main thing of all these recipes is you gotta’ add love,” she said.

“You gotta make it with love.”

Naponse Corbiere said the products are featured in some northern grocery stores and are carried in many First Nation stores across Ontario.

She said more orders are coming in as the company grows sharing a taste of the Anishnawbek culture.

For more information, visit Nish Scon's Facebook page.