TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Feature — the last newsletter of 2022 — brought to you by Acetech. In this issue, learn about the software built by an Indigenous tech company, as well as the future of a few spaces: the city of Victoria, our oceans, the hospitality industry, and work-life balance. Don't forget to tell us what events you want to see in the new year, too.

Happy holidays — we'll see you in 2023 ❄️

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Animikii defines what SaaS for Indigenous communities can look like

Reclamation of data after generations of erasure is no easy feat — and that's exactly the challenge Animikii, a Victoria-based Indigenous technology company, is tackling head-on with its recent e-book, DataBack: Asserting and Supporting Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Traditional Indigenous data systems and technology are not akin to those of the Western world. For example, West Coast First Nations historically recorded and shared data through the potlach  — a ceremonial feast to pass on hereditary rights to lands, share cultural songs, and to mark births, deaths, and marriages. The Canadian government banned the potlach from 1885 to 1951, effectively rendering the practice through which communities shared and stored information illegal.  

The potlach may no longer be unlawful, but Indigenous communities must now work to reclaim years of lost information alongside building the foundations for new forms of data systems. "There is a generational opportunity to transform the governance of Indigenous communities," says Animikii in its e-book. The company is building Niiwin — a SaaS product to help Indigenous governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses with better data governance. Through Niiwin, Animikii hopes to support Indigenous peoples worldwide move towards self-determination, through software that allows them to record, store, analyze, and share their own data.

Niiwin was first supported in 2019 with $1 million in capital in thanks to Raven Indigenous Capital Partners and the Business Development Bank of Canada. The path to scaling isn't straightforward, particularly with the need to refrain from building a homogenous approach when supporting diverse Indigenous communities. However, Animikii is ready to take on the challenge and hopes to see the support of more Nations and organizations along the way.

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Are you a growth-oriented tech CEO? Do you think it's lonely at the top? 

The Acetech Leadership Summit is designed to take you and your company to the next level, where you will hear stories from your peers and learn from the experts. Join Acetech in Whistler, along with a community of other tech leaders. Tickets are selling fast.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

💡The future of Victoria: We're spotlighting the capital's top leaders and ventures in a series of features. Learn about the finalists for 2022's Victoria Tech Community awards, including cleantech business Origen Air, SaaS company Avato, hardware venture ASAsoft Inc. Canada, and healthtech Cognito Health with more to come this week.

🏢 The future of work: Dan Pontefract, a Victoria-based founder and CEO of the Pontefract Group, writes about how the current lack of work-life balance can't be blamed on COVID-19: the pandemic simply accelerated it. Pontefract interviews Eric Termuende about what leaders can do to build healthy workplace culture. Read more in Forbes.

🧑‍🍳 The future of hospitality: Formerly known as Profile Hospitality Group, the company has now relaunched as Bellhouse Hospitality. Bellhouse reflects on the role employee well-being, technology, and automation play in the new brand. Learn more.

🌏 The future of oceans: How can marine bioresources be harvested sustainably? Can aquaculture be autonomously monitored for better ecosystem health? These are the problems Connie He and Mattias Kroeze addressed at the University of Victoria's Ocean Challenge. Hear about their experiences pitching at the event on CBC/Radio-Canada.

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Invest in the future of our city and region!

Early development is a strong predictor of future success. The Capital Daily Holiday Drive in partnership with United Way Southern Vancouver Island supports early childhood education programs to give local children the building blocks to succeed. 

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by generous local business partners like Tiny Foundation, All One Fund, DeepWell, Heart Pharmacy, and Lochside Software, Inc. Donate today.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Back-End Developer at Momentum

• Economic Futures Analyst at South Island Prosperity Partnership

• Scientific Data Specialist at Ocean Networks Canada

• System Solutions Analyst (Workday) at BC Assessment

• Data Steward at Ocean Networks Canada

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know! 

📅 It's your last chance of the year - tell us what you think