The first stage of research was completed in spring of 2011. The finished report provides a framework for decision makers in future stages of the project by presenting current, best practices in residential housing construction, insights from the local community and knowledge gained from other similar programs. The project currently is building off this initial research to work with planners, financing agencies and architects to create new designs for residential homes within the communities, which will culminate in the construction of homes using the principles of the research.

http://isis.sauder.ubc.ca/research/clayoquot-sound-first-nations-green-and-culturally-appropriate-residential-housing/

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/1221258968/ID=2189975973

Ch’nook Director Rick Colbourne celebrates a new regional partnership agreement with VIU Dean of Management Dave Twynam and VIU President Ralph Nilson. Standing behind are VIU Ch’nook Scholars Elaine Kwandibens, Lyndsey Bell and Savanah Seaton joined by Brock Endean, Lead, Ch’nook Scholars

There was added reason to celebrate at the First Nations Christmas feast Dec. 7 at Vancouver Island University.

The lunch-hour event at Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place marks the beginning of a new partnership between Vancouver Island University and Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education.
Ch’nook encourages First Nations students to pursue educational opportunities in business and related fields through scholarships, networking events, high school outreach, advanced management training and other programs.

“We are excited to welcome VIU’s Faculty of Management as Ch’nook’s Regional Partner,” says Rick Colbourne, Assistant Dean, Indigenous Business Education at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

“Ch’nook contributes to the sustainable economic development and self-determination of First Nation communities in British Columbia. This will enable us to have a stronger local focus that is closer to the First Nation communities that we serve,” says Colbourne who also serves as director of Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education.

The Ch’nook initiative – aimed at increasing First Nations participation in post-secondary business education – originated a decade ago at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. It has evolved with the support of the provincial government, post-secondary business education programs in BC, corporations and other sponsors.

“We’re proud to be partners with Ch’nook and value its contribution to students through scholarships, mentoring and networking,” says VIU President Ralph Nilson. “The business and management skills that First Nations students develop will enrich their lives, open up new opportunities and support them in strengthening their communities.”

VIU, through the Faculty of Management, has been affiliated with Ch’nook for several years but will expand its role as a regional partner, says Neil Macmillan, VIU’s faculty liaison with Ch’nook.

Major gatherings will still be held at UBC’s Longhouse but First Nations students will also have opportunities to attend regional events. The University of Northern BC in Prince George and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops will also serve as regional partners.

“It will improve the ability of students to make connections with their peers at Ch’nook gatherings, gain access to mentors and hear from inspirational First Nations business leaders,” says Macmillan.

“It’s motivational for students to hear others tell their stories and how they overcame obstacles to reach their goals,” says Macmillan.

VIU’s role as a regional partner with Ch’nook also boosts the potential to increase awareness about business and management career opportunities among First Nations high school students through the Ch’nook Cousins program. Through the Cousins initiative, Ch’nook Scholars visit high schools and share their experiences with First Nations students who may not realize the array of employment possibilities in marketing, accounting, management, finance and other specialties.

Brock Endean, a VIU grad and Ch’nook Scholar in 2009-10, has high praise for the support he received.

“The ability to connect with Aboriginal peers from throughout the province provided me with an amazing network to draw upon for support in my studies and for my future career,” says Endean, who now works at the Ch’nook Network.

“Ch’nook is truly unique for the relationships it builds with students and the various support opportunities that it makes available,” he says. Eight VIU students have been accepted as Ch’nook Scholars for 2012 – the highest number yet, says Sharon Hobenshield, Director of Aboriginal Education at VIU.

Ch’nook Scholars receive $1,000 initially and $1,000 upon completion of their year’s studies. They also receive all-expenses paid attendance at two provincial gatherings, as well as business cards and access to resources.

“I am very much in awe of the students that I have seen participate in the Ch’nook program over the years,” says Hobenshield.

“The increased confidence and skills they gain is apparent. It is very satisfying to know that these students will be future leaders in the community. This is what collaboration and partnership in education should be about.”

This year’s Ch’nook Scholars in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at VIU:

Lyndsey Bell

Renee Bryant

Nicola Hall

Savanah Seaton

Ian Simson

Rhea Simpson

Earl Tatoosh
This year’s Ch’nook Scholar in the Master of Business Administration program at VIU:

Elaine Kwandibens

Session 2:
Date: Wednesday, March 7th to Sunday, March 11th
Where: University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Time: TBA

Session 3:
Date: Wednesday, April 11th to Sunday, April 15th
Where: University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Time: TBA

Session 4:
Date: Monday, May 14th to Friday, May 18th
Where: University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Time: TBA

Date: Friday, April 27^th  and Saturday April 28^th

Where: UNBC (Prince George)

Info: The Ch’nook Scholars Provincial Gathering provides an opportunity for the 2011-12 Scholars to network, learn about career and internship opportunities, participate in the Ch’nook Story Project, and hear success stories from young Aboriginal business leaders. This event is only open to 2011-12 Ch’nook Scholars.

Date: Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Where: Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo

Time: 11am – 1:30pm

Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education and the Vancouver Island University Faculty of Management welcome you to witness the signing of the Ch’nook & Vancouver Island University Regional Partnership Agreement. This signing represents a strong commitment by the Vancouver Island University Faculty of Management to further enhance, enable, and encourage Aboriginal participation in business and management studies on Vancouver Island and throughout the province.

“The trip gave the participants some insight into having an international business career,” says Ch’nook Director Rick Colbourne. He added that for some of the participants this was their first time leaving British Columbia. After this year’s success, Colbourne plans to make the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Trek an annual event.

By Krista Siefken – Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial; Published: October 14, 2009 9:00 AM

Cow High senior Gladys Joe has walked in a college student’s shoes.

She’s even designed a pair made just for her by Nike.

The ambitious, aspiring accountant got the opportunity as one of 20 Aboriginal high school students selected to take part in the Ch’nook Cousins Project. This program connects high school learners with scholars of the University of British Columbia’s Ch’nook Aboriginal Business Education department.

“What I liked about it was that it felt like an actual university experience — you stayed in the dorm rooms, then you’d get up, get ready and go do whatever was planned for that day,” said Joe, 17. “We had a tour of UBC — it’s a big campus — and the dorm room I was in had a TV in it with a little kitchen, a bathroom and a walk-in closet. I didn’t want to leave.”

The students took inspiration from Apple’s popular Mac versus PC ads to create short television commercials pitting Tim Horton’s against Starbucks.

“We talked about business structures and we used Nike as an example. In return we got to design a shoe,” said Joe, who used various shades of her favourite colour, blue, in her design. “It was awesome.”

The busy student, who’s also president of the Hiiye’ yu Lelum’s youth council, says the Ch’nook program helped her narrow down her options after graduation, and also helped her shape her last year of high school.

“You see you really have to put your head down in university, and concentrate in Grade 12 so you don’t have to worry about last-minute upgrading, which takes time off your actual degree,” she explained.

As for next year, she’s interested in Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria, as well as UBC.

“It has a really nice campus, and during the tour we got the see the library, which seems like it’d be a really great place to go to,” said Joe.

Now, the senior student is focusing on her last year of studies at high school while continuing to strengthen her ties to Cowichan culture and language. She participated in two Tribal Journeys’ paddles and this past summer was the ambassador for the Youth on a Journey canoe.

“I had people tell me I’m going to be the next chief,” she admitted with a grin.

The University of British Columbia received a $1 million donation from TD Bank Financial Group today to create an endowment that will provide a lasting legacy in business education for Aboriginal students.
The gift will improve access and support for Aboriginal learners pursuing a business education. Today’s donation is the largest gift received in support of Aboriginal education at UBC.
“We are grateful to TD Bank Financial Group for its strong support of Aboriginal students,” says UBC President Stephen J. Toope. ”This generous donation will help UBC further its goal of creating learning environments and support mechanisms that reflect the specific needs of Aboriginal students.”
The gift will be divided equally between two programs:

• The TD Bank Aboriginal Student Award will establish an endowment to create financial awards for Aboriginal students across UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan who are enrolled in business education or majoring in economics.
• The Ch’nook Business Education Initiative will provide funding for Aboriginal students who are enrolled in the Ch’nook Scholars and Advanced Management programs. it will also provide mentorship opportunities for TD employees as a means of supporting these students in their pursuit of business education.

“With our annual endowment, we’ll be able to assist hundreds of students over the years by removing barriers to Aboriginal education,” says Raymond Chun, senior vice president TD Canada Trust. “We support UBC’s vision to help develop tomorrow’s Aboriginal business leaders and hope our contribution will inspire future generations to realize their hopes and dreams.”

The gift will help further the goals set out in UBC’s Aboriginal Strategic Plan. The plan has identified the university’s commitment to Aboriginal education, respect for Aboriginal knowledge and cultures, and a resolve to build upon the strengths of the university to more fully address the needs of Aboriginal and Indigenous communities.
Established by the UBC First Nations House of Learning and the Sauder School of Business , the Ch’nook Aboriginal Business Education program works with a circle of advocates and supporters to raise Aboriginal awareness and interest in post- secondary business education.

With Ch’nook’s strong culture for giving back to the community, this new brandmark reflects that positive influence and ideal. The new icon has elements from the old illustration of the Salmon, forming together two shapes resembling a unified ‘Yin Yang’ symbol, creating a visual that highlights the progressive energy of cycles or circles important in Aboriginal culture and iconography. The new brandmark represents:

• the passing of knowledge from generation to generation or from the elders to youth;
• from educational institution to student;
• interaction of past students with future students;
• the passing of skills and confidence;
• a circle of giving back to the community;
• a continuous exchange of ideas;
• a progression to towards future success;
• unity and harmony in business partnerships; and,
• a never ending cycle of Ch’nook’s dedication and energy to provide the best opportunities for education.

The new logo icon has been simplified to be bolder, clearer and with a brighter red brand colour reinforces that Ch’nook is a modern, professional organization of learning.