GREAT would like to inform all Six Nations Community members of a new employment service. In partnership with Six Nations Band Administration, G.R.E.A.T. will be responsible for the staffing of all temporary positions. Work placements contracted to last six months or less will be referred to Temporary Services for employee selection.

If you are available to work and would like to register for Temporary Services contact Becky at G.R.E.A.T.

Rosewater Crafts is the dream-come-to-life of Florence Styres. After more than 10 years of making crafts from her home Florence decided the time was right to turn her hobby into a full-time business.

ng what has become a successful Ohsweken business. As Florence says, the Self Employment Assistance program and grant gave her "the ability to take a proven product, expand on it, and create a full-time job for myself and in the future, part-time work for others."

Florence began making crafts more than 10 years ago, "first for personal use, and then people started asking me to make custom crafts based on crafts seen in my own home. Then people started asking me to make crafts from pieces they saw in other people's homes. Next I started selling things from my home doing seasonal shows based on holiday events" she explains.

With her youngest children starting school Florence realized that it was time to turn her love of making crafts into a full-time business. She says this decision allowed her "to re-enter the workforce with flexible hours and skills already developed."

Florence determined that crafts available in discount stores and home crafters seemed to lack quality, variety and originality. She also noticed that customers were looking for a “warm atmosphere and new ideas and products to decorate their homes”. Based on these assessments, Florence built a business catering mostly to women who "have an interest in the appearance of their homes with a wide range of styles, tastes, and an appreciation of fine craftsmanship".

G.R.E.A.T.'s Self Employment Assistance program has given Florence the opportunity to re-enter the workforce doing what she loves on her own terms. With Rosewater Crafts growing every day, Florence's creations are appearing in more homes, weddings, business and events then ever before.

For more information on Rosewater Crafts contact:

Florence Styres, Rosewater Crafts:
(519) 445-0540

Ambitious Six Nations members with a creative business plan may be eligible for G.R.E.A.T.'s Self Employment Assistance program. The objective of this program is to provide financial assistance to Six Nations members who want to start their own business.

Clint Doolittle, a Youth Programs and Services Officer at G.R.E.A.T., describes the Self Employment Assistance program as a great benefit to the community. Clint explains that the program provides "financial assistance during the critical infancy or introductory stage of a new business venture". By relieving a major hurdle that most new business owners face, Clint continues, we are providing "the opportunity for an entrepreneur to pursue their career goals and follow their dreams".

In order to qualify for this program, recipients must have a strong business idea and agree to work full-time on the business while receiving financial assistance. A business plan must be provided and acceptable to G.R.E.A.T. as well as show potential for long-term self-employment.

One of the benefits of the Self Employment Assistance program is linkages to resources able to assist in the development of feasibility studies, marketing plans, start-up costs and projected income statements. Participants of this program will also receive their E.I. benefits or a basic training allowance and may be entitled to supplementary allowances when applicable.

Six Nations members with thoughtful business ideas should contact G.R.E.A.T. and speak with a Programs and Services Officer to discuss their plans.

For complete program information please visit our Self Employment Assistance page or call G.R.E.A.T. to arrange an appointment with a Programs and Services Officer.