Spirit Bear

Marven Robinson with Gitga’at Spirit Tours and Chris Hild with the ISIS Research Centre at the Sauder School of Business co-presented a discussion on Aboriginal Entrepreneurship for students of Ch’nook’s Advanced Management Program.

Marven Robinson: 778-884- 2561

Chris Hild: 604-827-3768

Gitga’at Spirit Tours Slideshow

About Ch’nook’s Advanced Management Certificate Program

http://www.chnook.org/student-opportunities/advanced-management-program-amp/

The Ch’nook Advanced Management Certificate (AMP) progra, is a 4 month part-time intensive Aboriginal Business Education program offered by Ch’nook and UBC’s Sauder School of Business. Usually beginning in the spring, the AMP promotes the development of strong Aboriginal business leadership skills through teaching participants about the business skills required to be successful entrepreneurs in context of Aboriginal values and culture. The AMP is designed for individuals wanting to start their own business, who are responsible for running band business ventures, or for band council and staff interested in improving their overall business skills and understanding. Applicants should have at least five years of works experience.

About Gitga’at  Spirit Tours

http://www.gitgaat.net/tourism/experiences.html

Gitga’at tourism experiences are unique, authentic, and educational. Group sizes are limited to ensure visitors have the opportunity to truly experience Gitga’at Territory and learn about Gitga’at culture in a friendly, safe atmosphere.

Wildlife Tours

Gitga’at Territory is home to some of the most unique and captivating wildlife in the world, including killer whales, grey whales, bald eagles, wolves, grizzly bears, black bears and the elusive Kermode or Spirit Bear (a black bear in a ‘white’ phase). Gitga’at wildlife tours are educational experiences led by trained and knowledgeable Gitga’at guides. Guides provide unique natural and cultural interpretation and ensure a friendly, safe environment.  Clients will view spectacular wildlife as well as learn about their distinct cultural importance to the Gitga’at people. Wildlife tours will be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual visitors and groups.

About ISIS Research Centre, Sauder School of Business

The ISIS Research Centre at the Sauder School of Business is focused on advancing social innovation and sustainability, through research, incubation, and application. ISIS defines social innovation as new approaches to solving existing social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental challenges. This encompasses three key, global trends across the three sectors — social innovation in the public sector, strategic corporate social responsibility and scaling non-profit social innovation. ISIS partners with individuals and organizations across all three sectors to pilot solutions, build capacity and share ideas in order to create shared value. The core research themes at ISIS are building the low carbon economy, social economy, and economic development with First Nations. Our goal is to build intellectual and human capacity by linking knowledge with action to further social innovation across the various sectors. We are passionate about student development and action oriented research and work with our partners to challenge the status quo and develop scalable solutions to complex problems. We continue to innovate in our approach and pioneer new territory.

Since its inception in 2002, Ch’nook has increased Aboriginal participation in post-secondary business education through encouraging, enabling and enhancing business education. The Ch’nook Advanced Management Program is geared toward senior Aboriginal leaders in First Nation communities.

The graduation ceremony will formally recognize the Aboriginal students that are graduating from the 2012 intake of the AMP program.

Venue:   University of British Columbia (UBC) First Nations Longhouse

Date:       Friday, May 18, 2012

Lunch:    12:30 pm – 2:00 pm 

Grad Ceremony: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm    

Our lunch will be catered by the VCC Aboriginal Culinary Arts team.

Please rsvp to this invite at http://chnookgraduation.eventbrite.ca

If you have any questions please contact our office at 604 822 0988.

Many First Nations in Canada are currently working with the First Nations Financial Management Board to acheive these certifications. Some of the benefits of acheiving FNFMB certification include more accountability to members, better access to infrastructure financing, and better relationships with other levels of government.

Travis facilitated a session on risk management to Ch’nook’s Advanced Management Program cohort on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012. He provided a high level view designed to inform the class on current issues related to navigating through First Nations financial management and performance standards and certification processes as set out by the First Nations Financial Management Board. Topics covered in the workshop included:

• Risk Management
• ORCA Risk Model
• Overview of the Fiscal and Statistical Management Act
• FNFMB’s Mandate
• Financial Administration Laws
• Financial Management Systems
• Financial Performance Certificate
• Financial Management Certificate
• Change Management

Prior to founding A.T. Seymour, Travis was the Director for Capacity Development at the First Nations Financial Management Board where he provided management direction in three corporate areas: capacity development, relationship building with First Nations, and financial management of FNFMB operations.

Contact Details:

Travis Seymour. MBA | CGA | CAFM
Principal

Suite 200 – 100 Park Royal, West Vancouver BC | V7T 1A2

Mobile 604.356.3439  Phone 778.279.3099  Fax 778.279.3100

travis@atseymour.com www.atseymour.com

Young business owners have until April 8, 2012 to apply and submit a short video presenting an innovative project that will grow and improve their business. Eleven finalists will be selected- one from each province and one from the combined territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut). Once finalists have been selected, Canadians will vote for the winner of the $100,000 BDC Grand Prize for Innovation.

For more details and to apply, visit the special 2012 Young Entrepreneur Award microsite at bdcyoungentrepreneuraward.ca or check it out on Facebook at facebook.com/BDC.ca. Young entrepreneurs can also follow BDC on Twitter at @BDC_News or on Linkedin to share news about the contest with other members of their network.

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For more information, please contact Melissa Di Paola (514.283.4108)

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is a non-profit, stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry.

The 60 operators with AtBC range from gallery curators to jet boat guides, wineries and cultural interpretative experiences and are located in every corner of the province. Each operatoris an Aboriginal-owned business that guarantees cultural authenticity as part of its attraction.

What is Aboriginal cultural tourism?

Trends in tourism indicate a strong and increasing demand for experiential tourism attractions. Put simply, more and more visitors are looking for experiences that immerse them in a foreign culture and allow them to experience customs and traditions firsthand.

Aboriginal Tourism BC Video

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia has been providing these kinds of Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences since date of inception. Today, British Columbia is a leader in Aboriginal cultural tourism and is home to some of the most diverse and well developed operators in the world.

Experiences range from canoe journeys and interpretive jet boat tours to Aboriginal-owned museums, heritage villages, cultural centres, golf resorts and wineries.

Aboriginal tourism is helping revitalize First Nations culture in British Columbia

The demand for cultural tourism products has given First Nations peoples in British Columbia an unprecedented opportunity to develop businesses that showcase their traditions, histories and culture.

Tourism is helping create sustainable and meaningful employment for Aboriginal communities, and providing the impetus for elders to pass down culture, history and tradition to youth.

Thanks to cultural tourism, First Nations traditions and customs are being revitalized for the benefit of communities across British Columbia.

Keith Henry, CEO AtBC

Keith Henry, CEO - AtBC

Mr. Henry is a Métis person that was born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Mr. Henry has a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan where he graduated in 1995.

Keith has worked extensively with the Métis Nation and several Aboriginal communities since 1995. Keith re-located to Vancouver, British Columbia when offered the Chief Executive Officer position with the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in August 2003. Mr. Henry maintained this position until September 2008. During this time Keith was involved in negotiations that led to the signing of the Métis Nation Relationship Accord in May 2006 with the Province of British Columbia. This remains one of the only such bilateral agreements with the Métis Nation of its kind in Canada. Keith also worked closely with MNBC leadership to develop new governance processes, strategic planning to meet the objectives of the Métis Nation Relationship Accord, and seek programs and services for the Métis communities in British Columbia through the development of the first ever MNBC Five Year Implementation Plan.

In October 2008 Keith began to work as the Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia. His current work is focused on supporting the continued implementation of the Aboriginal Tourism Cultural Blueprint Strategy. The strategy has been designed to increase education and awareness, product development, and marketing for Aboriginal tourism operators and communities throughout British Columbia.

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.