01 — People
People & Capacity
Build the capacity and relationships that keep a project moving after the announcement.
- Education and workforce pathways
- Community and institutional partnerships
- Practical systems for long-term capacity
Wasauksing First Nation
Robinson Huron Treaty 1850
Jesse
Steckley
Economic Reconciliation Strategist
Independent consulting for Indigenous communities and allies. Strategy, partnerships, and hands-on implementation that move community priorities forward.
30 minutes · Google Meet
The Indigenous Education Awards are administered by the Business Council of Manitoba. I helped BCM lead the program’s growth across Manitoba.
01 — Approach
Wealth medicine in practice.
People, land, and systems working together — for wellbeing that lasts beyond a single funding cycle.
02 — Systems
Systems that last
Connect land, infrastructure, and technology to the priorities a community has set.
- Community-led economic strategy
- Energy and infrastructure planning
- Tools and implementation support
02 — About
The work
behind the work
Jesse Steckley (Aubdauban — New Dawn / Forever Light) is a member of Wasauksing First Nation through the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. Raised in Barrie, Ontario, he now lives in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory.
His path brings together the trades, community development, Indigenous studies, business, and technology. He completed the Aboriginal Community and Social Development diploma at Georgian College, studied Indigenous Studies with a Business Administration minor at Trent University, and trained in web development at Juno College of Technology.
Jesse helped the Business Council of Manitoba grow its Indigenous Education Awards and contributed to Indigenous procurement initiatives with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. In 2025, he was named to CBC Manitoba’s Future 40 for leadership in economic reconciliation.
Today Jesse is Founder & Principal at Waaseyak Corp., a 100% Indigenous-owned firm and Certified Indigenous Business that helps First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, EDCs, and businesses get to capital, with control staying in the community. Waaseyak’s free First Look puts a business plan and funding strategy together, and its Opportunity Finder shows what federal buyers are paying for, by line of work. Waaseyak also provides program support to the Inawendiwin Stewardship Program.
He is a husband and father. His work is grounded in the people and relationships that make lasting progress possible.
If you are an Indigenous community or an ally working on economic reconciliation, I’d welcome the conversation.
03 — Impact
Selected impact
Experience across education, employment, and Indigenous business opportunity.
Now
Waaseyak Corp.
Founder & Principal
A 100% Indigenous-owned firm and Certified Indigenous Business. Business plans, funding strategy, and procurement support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and businesses. Funders decide. We do not promise the money.
Visit waaseyak.com
Recognition
CBC Manitoba Future 40
2025
Recognized for contributions to economic reconciliation through education and employment programming.
Read the recognition
Workforce
Indigenous Education Awards
Business Council of Manitoba
Helped BCM lead the program’s growth from 100 awards and $300,000 to 530 awards and $1.6M in annual student support. Administered by BCM.
Explore the program
Procurement
Indigenous business opportunity
CCIB · Supply Change
Contributed to early Indigenous procurement approaches supporting meaningful economic participation and business opportunity.
Explore Supply Change04 — FAQ
A few good
questions.
How do we start?
Book a 30-minute Google Meet discovery call. Bring your project, question, or challenge as it is. Prefer to write first? Email me@jessesteckley.com.
Who do you work with?
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, alongside companies, institutions, funders, and public partners working on economic reconciliation.
What is an Economic Reconciliation Strategist?
Independent advisory that connects community priorities with people, partnerships, capital, land, systems, and practical implementation.
Who is Jesse Steckley?
Jesse Steckley (Aubdauban — New Dawn / Forever Light) is a member of Wasauksing First Nation and an Economic Reconciliation Strategist based in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory.
What is Waaseyak?
Waaseyak Corp. is a 100% Indigenous-owned firm, and Jesse is its Founder & Principal. It helps First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and businesses build a business plan and funding strategy, starting with a free First Look. Funders decide. Waaseyak does not promise the money.
05 — Contact
Let’s move the
work forward.
A community priority. A complex file. A partnership worth building. Bring the work as it is, and let’s talk about the next step.
me@jessesteckley.com30 minutes · Google Meet