Carnival inspires Gabby’s Spudz & More

“The best fries in Thunder Bay.”
That was how Gabrielle Cross’s fast food takeout business – Gabby’s Spudz & More – was described during the 2010 First Nations Women’s Day dinner and awards ceremony, held Oct. 5 by Beendigen Inc. Crisis Home and Counselling Services in Thunder Bay.
“It was an honour to be in the presence of such great women,” said Cross, one of 19 women honoured for their achievements during the awards ceremony.
Cross, whose family is originally from the Treaty 3 community of Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, opened up her business at the corner of Walsh St. and Franklin St. four years ago to serve fries, burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, nachos and perogies.
“We have large homemade perogies, we have lean homemade burgers and we make the Coney sauce each morning,” Cross said.
A former carnival worker, Cross had always wanted to go into business.
“I knew there was money to be made in french fries, so I always wanted to have a little joint that sells a really good bag of fries,” Cross said. “It’s fabulous working for yourself.”
Cross credits the Paro Centre for Women’s Enterprise for helping her prepare to go into business.
“I’ve been a member of Paro for four years now,” Cross said, explaining she meets with a group of women on a monthly basis as part of a circle.
There, they discuss their business and get guidance on business plans.
Beendigen nominated Geraldine Mamakwa, Jennifer Perrault, Kathy Labradour, Jessica Warburton, Sabrina Ogemah, Jamesina Sugarhead, Kristan Dewey, Kalinda Hardy, April Genno, Tara Porter, Brenda Kejick and Pauline Tait for awards.
Lakehead Public Schools nominated Carolyn Chukra and Rachel Mishenene for awards.
Biidaajiwun Community Health Outreach Centre nominated Syndyn Baxter and Sharon Johnson for awards.
Anishnawbe Mushkiki nominated Teresa Magiskan for an award and Oshki-Pimache-O-Win nominated Rhonda Goodman for an award.