“Our elders teach us to consider the future of our children and grandchildren as a guide for our day-to-day activities. This lesson leads to one very clear implication. We must provide educational opportunities that build the skills needed to participate in all aspects of tomorrow’s world. Ch’nook is focused on one very critical part of this skill building… developing the leadership and management skills needed to achieve business success and economic independence. Q’um Q’um Xiiem”
- Dr. Jo-ann Archibald
The Ch’nook Initiative is recognized as a pioneer and leader in Canada based on its success in addressing the challenges involved in trying to move from a very low participation rate for Aboriginal students in business education to encouraging, enabling and enhancing a strong teams of Aboriginal business leaders and practitioners across First Nation communities in the province of British Columbia. It was founded when the late Maurice Young and John McArthur provided the initial resources and encouragement to focus attention on Aboriginal business education. An initial plan was developed by Dr. Jo-ann Archibald, then the Director of the First Nations House of Learning, and Dr John Claxton from the Sauder School of Business, drawing heavily on the success of the long standing UBC Native Teacher Education Program (NITEP). Since then, Ch’nook has evolved to become a leading organization in the development and encouragement of business education for aboriginal students and professionals.
From Chinook to Ch’nook
The development and growth of Ch’nook can be most easily understood as being comprised of two main phases of development.
Briefly, Phase One: Chinook represents the period during which the foundation for the initiative was developed and promoted. When it was founded, Ch’nook worked with five partner colleges to deliver the Ch’nook Business Diploma that included foundation courses, business courses, and non-business electives addressing Aboriginal issues and interests. In 2007, Ch’nook’s post-secondary efforts shifted significantly from delivery to support with the creation of Ch’nook Scholars scholarship opportunity.
Phase Two: Ch’nook 1.0 represents a significant period of growth: the formation of a number of important partnerships; the further development and expansion of the advisory board; the design, delivery and assessment of a range of learning initiatives targeted at Senior Aboriginal leaders, post-secondary students and high school students; and, very significantly, the signing of the Ch’nook Business Education Accord which set the tone for building collaborative efforts to promote and support Aboriginal engagement between the province’s twenty-five colleges and universities. In September 2011, Ch’nook launched the Indigenous Business Network as a way to further engage and support Aboriginal business and management students completing full-time and part-time studies at Ch’nook’s Accord Partner institutions.
