‘Our own money’: This Indigenous businessman doesn’t want government help

Roy Roque started with a gas station. In October, this enterprising 70-year-old will open the doors on a 20,000-square-foot soundstage

Roy Roque knows what the future can look like for Indigenous Canadians.

He’s a member of the Wahnapitae First Nation living on the north shores of Lake Wahnapitei, a popular lake 50 kilometres north of Sudbury, Ont. Roy didn’t grow up on a reserve, but he’s figured out ways to attract commerce to this enclave and retain talented young people. And he prefers to do business without government money — or strings — attached.