Yellowknife (Feb 25/04) - The Akaitcho Business Development Corporation is teaching others how to get into business for themselves.

Akaitcho Business Development Corporation business analyst Tanya Kidston has been busy recently processing applications for the corporation's self-employment assistance program. - Stephan Burnett/NNSL photo

The corporation has gained 40 new self-employment clients in the past month, said Akaitcho business analyst Tanya Kidston.

Potential clients have to be collecting unemployment insurance benefits to qualify. Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals can apply.

"They are getting help from us with business advice, business plans and bookkeeping," said Kidston.

The corporation serves clients in Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilo.

Another aspect of the program, said Kidston, is the possibility of securing financing.

"We lend up to $125,000 per business," she said.

Lending decisions are made by the board, which is chaired by Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief Darrell Beaulieu.

Many of the clients coming into the program are former employees of Con Mine, said Kidston. "They, both men and women, are looking at a lot of different things. Some are thinking about becoming handymen, others are thinking about becoming cleaning people."