Eight Indigenous Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Head to Canada on GRIT Trade Mission

Eight Indigenous women entrepreneurs from Belize, Dominica and Jamaica travel to Canada this week for a ten-day trade mission running October 26 to November 4, 2026. The Caribbean Export Development Agency organized the trip under its Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs (GRIT) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada.

The delegation spans three sectors: beauty, botanicals and personal care; sustainable agriculture and agro-processing; and artisan goods, fashion and cultural tourism. The itinerary covers B2B meetings, market exploration, knowledge exchanges and networking in Winnipeg and Toronto, all aimed at Canadian market entry and export growth.

The eight founders are:

• Belize: Indira Andrewin (COCOLOVE); Desiree Arnold (MayaBags, Belize Crafts Ltd); Kelsey Codd (Grace Skincare By Kelsey); Avelina Coc (Indian Creek Mayan Arts Women's Group); Abidas Ash (Columbia River Source Farm)
• Dominica: Amanda Theodore-Langlais (Pümui Products)
• Jamaica: Sherika Anderson (RaggaNats); Iya Nicola Shirley-Phillips (Ujima Naturals Limited and Source Farm Community Development Institute)

How does the mission unfold?

Her Excellency Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Dr. Damie Sinathan, Executive Director of Caribbean Export — the source spells the name Damie Sinanan — will lead the delegation. The mission opens at the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF), held October 26–28 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. WIBF convenes Indigenous entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers and investors to build commercial relationships and advance Indigenous-led economic growth.

Three GRIT entrepreneurs made the Forum programme. Iya Nicola Shirley-Phillips joins the panel "The Indigenous Economy: Indigenous Women Leading Prosperity for People, Place and Future Generations," where she will discuss how regenerative agriculture, community enterprise and Indigenous knowledge can create sustainable livelihoods.

Abidas Ash and Sherika Anderson will appear on the panel "Dream. Build. Lead: Stories of Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship." Ash, Manager and Co-Owner of Columbia River Source Farm, will show how traditional Q'eqchi' Maya knowledge combines with modern business practice to build enterprises that support communities and protect natural resources. Anderson will draw on the beauty and personal care sector, highlighting how botanical knowledge, cultural heritage and product innovation can build a distinctive Jamaican brand with international ambitions.

The delegation will also run an exhibition stand at the Forum to showcase Caribbean products and meet prospective buyers.

Who are the Canadian partners?

In Winnipeg, B2B matchmaking comes through collaboration with Canada's Trade Commissioner Service, the World Trade Centre Winnipeg and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The program also includes knowledge exchanges, cultural activities and networking with Indigenous delegations from around the world, including events tied to the Manito Ahbee Festival.

The mission then moves to Toronto from November 1–3 for sector-specific market visits, workshops and engagements with Canadian trade institutions, industry experts and business networks. Participants will get practical detail on market-entry requirements, distribution channels and consumer expectations.

What happens after the trip?

Support continues from November through July 2027, with tailored technical assistance to help the businesses convert contacts into commercial deals, pursue partnerships and address market-entry requirements. Caribbean Export says the mission targets qualified business leads, new relationships with Canadian buyers and distributors, and increased exports.

The agency is already planning a follow-up GRIT trade mission to Canada in April 2027, building on the relationships and market intelligence from this first engagement.

Wills framed the stakes plainly: "This mission is a win-win for everyone. Caribbean indigenous women entrepreneurs are seeking customers, partners and investment. For Canadian businesses, this is an opportunity to connect with innovative business leaders, discover high-quality products and services, and build relationships that increase trade, investment and knowledge exchange between our regions."

Dr. Damie Sinanan, Executive Director of Caribbean Export, echoed the commercial focus: "Caribbean women entrepreneurs are creating exceptional products and businesses, often drawing on generations of knowledge, innovation and a deep connection to their communities. What they need are greater opportunities to access markets, build relationships and grow beyond our borders."

"Through GRIT, and with the valued support of the Government of Canada, we are helping to bridge that gap," Sinanan said. "This trade mission is about more than showcasing Caribbean products; it is about creating meaningful commercial connections that can lead to new sales, stronger businesses and sustainable economic opportunities for women and their communities."

Whether the Winnipeg and Toronto meetings convert into distributor contracts will become clear during the follow-up assistance window running to July 2027.