Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Camp

Newsletter Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Camp AAYEC 2017 The 2017 AAYEC was a great success again, hosting 20 Aboriginal youth ages 18 31 years old from all across Alberta, representing all three Treaty areas within the province, at the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre in Jasper, Alberta. Participants of AAYEC learn the basic principles of starting a business and develop their own business plans as part of a team. The camp features business coaching, mentorship workshops, teambuilding, networking opportunities, cultural activities, recreational activities as well as personal and professional development sessions. Changing Aboriginal Youths Lives EMPOWERING ABORIGINAL YOUTH WITH SELF AWARENESS, WHILE TEACHING THE SKILLS TO DEVELOP BUSINESS PLANS AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS! This year marked the 7th anniversary of AAYEC and since inception has changed the lives of 144 Aboriginal Youth from across Alberta. The camp is open to all Aboriginal youth (Status First Nations, non-status First Nations, Metis and Inuit) aged 18 35 that reside in Alberta. There is no charge for participation and all travel costs are paid by AAYEC and its program sponsors. Participants do not need previous experience or business knowledge. They only need a desire to learn, a great attitude, and a willingness to work as a team member. Our 2017 Hosts: Palisades Stewardship Education Centre The Palisades Stewardship Education Centre is surrounded by the aweinspiring mountains of Jasper National Park. The centre is 15 km east of the town site (near Snaring Campground). Their strength is experiential education, blending mountain recreation with environmental stewardship. Through multiday, nature-immersion programs, students create memories that last a lifetime. The centre has been offering a variety of programs for students since 2005. The Palisades is unique in Canada, due to the partnership between Parks Canada, Grande Yellowhead Regional School Division and Marmot Basin. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Note From 2017 AAYEC Coordinator... 2 A Week at AAYEC... 2 AAYEC Facilitators... 3 Lean Business Model Canvass... 3 Notes from AEC Facilitators... 3 AAYEC Embraces Aboriginal Culture... 4 AIIC & the AAYEC Initiative... 4 Mentorship At Its Best... 5 Banker s Panel Judges... 6 The Pitch!... 6 2017 Winners... 6 Forget The Business & Have Some Fun... 7 AAYEC 2017 Sponsors... 8 2017 AAYEC Participants... 8 AAYEC Participant Testimonials... 8 CAMP AT A GLANCE What? The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Camp (AAYEC) teaches the basics of small business start-up and operation, business financing, and the importance of teamwork to achieve a common goal Who? Aboriginal youth living in Alberta ages 18-35 Why? To encourage Aboriginal youth to e x p l o r e t h e o p t i o n o f entrepreneurship and to learn the skills to become successful entrepreneurs Where? Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, Jasper National Park When? July 3 10, 2017 Look for us on the AIIC website, Facebook and Twitter and watch for details about AAYEC 2018. Contact Jason Wilson at Alberta Indian Investment Corporation by phone at 1-888-308-6789 or by e-mail at jasonw@aiicbusiness.org

NOTE FROM 2017 AAYEC COORDINATOR The Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC) proudly acknowledges the many people and o r g a n i z a t i o n s f o r t h e i r contributions to another successful year of the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Camp. We thank our elders, Alberta Indigenous Relations, our First Nations partners, our Industry sponsors, our Banker's Panel, our guest speakers, our AAYEC Steering Committee Members, along with the rest of the support staff from AIIC for their commitment and hard work. This is certainly not a project that one person can handle on their own. We also extend our g r a t i t u d e t o t h e A c a d i a Entrepreneurship Centre (AEC) for providing two wonderful facilitators in Tom Dalmazzi and Jessi Gillis. They did an excellent job! This was AIIC s seventh year delivering AAYEC, and my first year coordinating the camp, and we are pleased that the number of applicants and participants keeps growing each year. We encourage our Aboriginal youth to think about business at a younger age as a good way to prepare themselves for the future. Hosting this camp is an innovative way to introduce entrepreneurship, and encourage youth to lead, build their confidence, and provide the tools needed to develop potential selfsustaining business ideas. All AAYEC participants learn valuable lessons about what it takes to be successful in the business world, and more importantly, valuable lessons about themselves. AIIC looks forward to continuing its partnerships with community, governments, and industry to bring the AAYEC to Aboriginal youth of Alberta in 2018. Planning is already underway for the 8th Annual AAYEC. year! Jason Wilson See you all next Business Services Officer, AIIC A WEEK AT AAYEC Throughout the week at AAYEC, the youth participate in self-discovery sessions and business development courses instructed by the AAYEC facilitators. This year, the True Colours Personality Assessment was utilized again as a tool to assist the participants with their team formations. True Colors is an attempt to identify various personality styles and label them with colors. Once the teams were established, the groups then began learning about the Lean Business Model Canvass and filling in each segment to develop their business idea that would later be presented to the Banker s Panel on the final day of camp. A great portion of the camp was focused on the Aboriginal culture. Through the Mid-morning shot of the Palisades Teepee cultural technicians Elders Louis & Lena Lapatak and Gloria Laird, the participants were taught different aspects of Aboriginal culture such as spirituality, stories, and more. Sharing circles were conducted each morning that allowed participants, facilitators, visitors and the Elders to share their life experiences personally and professionally. Through the cultural components of AAYEC, the participants were able to grow individually and become a close network. From beginning to end, the camp was filled with learning experiences, fun activities, adventures and guest speakers. Without these components of the camp, AAYEC would not have been such a great success! Palisades Stewardship Education Centre Post zip line group photo 2 Making S'mores by the camp fire

AAYEC FACILITATORS For over 28 years the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre (AEC), a proud partner of Acadia University in Nova Scotia, has provided entrepreneurial development programs for individuals, businesses, notfor-profit organizations, and business development professionals. AEC believes that a person s vision is the driving force for attaining personal and entrepreneurial growth, and that individuals of all types, profession s an d callin gs have entrepreneurial potential. Through their advisory, training, and innovation & incubation services they aim to assist in the development of entrepreneurial skills and an entrepreneurial culture. AEC Facilitators, Tom & Jessi, pre-zip line TOM DALMZZI AND JESSI GILLIS SPEAK ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AT AAYEC 2017! The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp is an incredibly special week of personal and professional growth, that undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved (facilitators, participants, guest speakers, and elders alike). It is so inspiring to witness these young people take a leap of faith to explore themselves, entrepreneurship, and their indigenous culture, and truly grow as individuals and a collective in a such a short time frame. It is an opportunity that I strongly believe every indigenous youth in Canada should have the opportunity to participate in. Tom Dalmazzi, AEC Facilitator The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and actualizer. He can visualize something, and when he visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen. -- Robert L. Schwartz THE LEAN BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS This year the Lean Business Model Canvass was used again as a tool to assist the youth in developing their group business ideas that would later be presented to a Judge s panel on the final day of camp. The Lean Startup approach addresses the following: Identifying personality types through the True Colours Personality Assessment Personal Alignment to improve ability to reach personal goals Team building Best idea generation Identifying key markets Understanding the key components of a business plan Business management and operations Financial planning Marketing tools and strategies Business plan presentations The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, provides a once a life changing experience for camp participants, facilitators, guest speakers and elders every year. The camp provides participants with the opportunity for self-discovery, cultural pride, personal growth, healing, entrepreneurship awareness and long term entrepreneurship skill development. I believe whole heartedly that this camp and experience should be offered in all provinces and territories in Canada. Jessi Gillis, AEC Facilitator 3

AAYEC EMBRACES ABORIGINAL CULTURE An integral part of successfully hosting AAYEC annually is the involvement of elders. Elders Louis & Lena Lapatak and Gloria Laird were on-site all week for cultural team building and learning activities. Highlights of the week included the hand games, the numerous stories / legends/ teachings and making bannock on a stick. Having the elders available is also a great mentorship opportunity for the youth. Hand Games by the Teepee Making bannock on a stick Making bannock on a stick My best advice to entrepreneurs is this: Forget about making mistakes, just do it. -- Ajaero Tony Martins AIIC AND THE AAYEC INITIAIVE Alberta Indian Investment Corporation is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of First Nations business in Alberta. AIIC currently operates two business lines, developmental lending, and business services, to pursue its vision of First Nations self-reliance and creation of wealth through enterprise. In its almost 30 years of operations, AIIC has loaned more than $56 million to First Nations communities and entrepreneurs. AAYEC is just one of many initiatives and services AIIC has in place to help support and encourage the creation of viable First Nation-owned businesses, leading to the creation of sustainable economic opportunities and greater self-sufficiency. Elder Louis Lapatak Morning Sharing Circle Cultural Learning with our Elders Making bannock on a stick 4

MENTORSHIP AT ITS BEST Everyday of the camp there were presentations by guest speakers. This was to inspire the participants to pursue entrepreneurship and also, to provide advice that would assist in their pitches to the Judge s panel. Thank you to all the Guest Speakers of AAYEC 2017! Plan4ward has been involved with AAYEC for the past seven years as an organizer and now as a presenter. As a Certified Coach, I use a methodology called Points of You, the Coaching Game. The process allows participants to share their feelings about life challenges and their potential to strive and succeed. One of the cards in the game states What I experienced at this years AAYEC is hope for the future. My elder once told me that we stand on the bones of our ancestors. They have paved the way for us and it is our job to continue to pave that road for future generations. I have no doubt that the future is in good hands with the individuals who attended this conference. I saw strength, resiliency, hard work and hope. Mackenzie Brown, Warrior Women The level of engagement at these camps always amazes me! People from all walks of life coming together to collaborate towards something bigger than themselves. It s a great way to expand horizons, and contribute what you know to help someone else in their journey. It s also the fact that the mosaic of backgrounds present at the camp make it such a unique experience every time I ve had the pleasure of speaking to the groups, and that is truly what makes this camp so special. Hussam Tungekar, Futurepreneur Canada Everything is Possible and through AAYEC s the one-week process everyone is empowered to believe that everything is truly possible. Janene Wilson, Plan4ward The overall level of energy and engagement was good illustrated by some of the light-hearted banter mixed with more technical dialogue that occurred. Thanks to AIIC for having me join the AAYEC again this summer it s always a treat to get out in our wonderful Rocky Mountains Terry Coyes, Coyes & Associates The most comprehensive aboriginal entrepreneur camp I've ever experienced! A brilliant opportunity for youth to be inspired, empowered and gain relevant knowledge in developing a business plan. So blessed to be a part of such a fantastic tool box of resources for aboriginal youth to become successful in business! Charlene Schatz, Chara Coaching Great job Alberta Indian Investment Corporation on this year s AAYEC! It was a great feeling to be a part of something so empowering for our Indigenous youth. The combination of entrepreneurship and culture is something that will contribute to the success of these youth. The group was awesome, very engaging with some great business ideas. I look forward to seeing their businesses develop and also looking forward to next year s camp. Sammy Zoerb, Business Link Indigenous Business Services AYEC 2017 Guest Speaker 5

THANK YOU TO THE BANKER S PANEL JUDGES Dale Springchief Community Futures Treaty Seven Ruby Littlechild NorQuest College Errol Wilson Alberta Indian Investment Corporation NOTES FROM THE BANKER S PANEL The camp was very inspiring. I observed strong, artistic, innovative, creative, up and coming, future grassroots Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders!! These future leaders are motivated to heal and move on to greater, brighter futures, not just for themselves, but for the future Indigenous generations to follow. Ruby Littlechild, 2017 Banker s Panel Judge THE PITCH! After a week of business idea development, team building activities, guest speakers and selfdiscovery, teams were ready to pitch their business ideas to the Banker s Panel Judges. All the business ideas presented were compelling, practical, and could be viable business ventures on day with further development of a full business plan. Each participant was filled with excitement and nerves on the final day of camp. In the end, they all made the facilitators and camp orga niz ers prou d when the presentations were complete. THE 2017 WINNERS! This years winners were Stuart Bitternose, Tia Black and Lindsey Mooswah-Knott (pictured below) and their business idea named Pîsimoyâpiy Performing Arts, a business concept that provides an outlet for performing and cultural arts. 6

FORGET THE BUSINESS & HAVE SOME FUN... The week long agenda for the 2017 AAYEC had its primary focus on curriculum and culture, however the 2017 Steering Committee, as they have in the past, made sure to incorporate daily activities into the agenda to maintain a fun and exciting camp atmosphere. Throughout the week the youth had a lot of free time in order to enjoy the great weather and the surrounding area. The Palisades Education Centre was located on a diverse landscape that included hiking trails, volleyball court, and fire pits. All of which the participants took full advantage of during their stay. Other activities during the week included a team building challenge facilitated by Paul Langevin, Public Outreach Education Officer from the Palisades. These activities challenged the teams to work together to achieve a common goal, finishing with the attendees building a cabin with little to no instruction. They almost made it and were slightly over the allotted time! AAYEC has always included adventures into the activity planning and this year the youth were able to challenge their limits and test any fear of heights by attempting to zip line. Unlike most other zip lines, where participants are attached to a cable and ride the downward slope in a sitting position, Alternative Adventures zip line is engineered to give participants a very unique experience one that has them literally flying. At the end of the camp, to celebrate all the successes and completion of all the their hard work the youth were taken white water rafting down the Athabasca River with Jasper Rafting Adventures. The 3 hour finale was the perfect end to another amazing AAYEC. Waiting to zip line Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes but they don t quit. -- Conrad Hilton Zip lining Pre-rafting Group Photo Log Cabin Teambuilding Exercise White water rafting on the Athabasca River Zip Lining Palisades Centre Team Building Challenge 7

AAYEC 2017 Sponsors Thank You to all Sponsors, Supporters, Steering Committee Members, Facilitators, Elders, Guest Speakers and Participants! Together we are a community supporting the Entrepreneurs of tomorrow! AAYEC Participants Stuart Bitternose George Gordon First Nation Tia Black Kainai & Siksika Nations Lorne Blesse Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) Isaac Brighteyes Saddle Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) James Brittain James Smith Cree Nation Katisha Cardinal SLCN Rhianne Dumas LRRCN Josie Eagletail Tsuu Tina Nation Heidi Georges Flying Dust First Nation Albert Hamelin Enoch Cree Nation Dakota Jackson SLCN Ethan Mah Alexander First Nation Kash McDermott SLCN Rainelle Metacat-Yah Dene Tha First Nation Lindsey Mooswah-Knott Duncan's First Nation Ramona Nabholz Cold Lake First Nations Graeme Steinhauer SLCN Brandin Stone SLCN Jesse Ward Enoch Cree Nation Boyd Whiskeyjack SLCN 2017 AAYEC PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS Overall it was a really amazing experience. It was just what I needed. I learned lots and I'm thankful to have had to opportunity to be a part of the program. Thanks to all who made it possible. I walked away with all the confidence I felt I lacked and am seeing the world and how to attack it with new eyes. Every single guest speaker was great and had a lot to offer. I really enjoyed what all of them had to say. Their input on our projects was invaluable and I found myself learning a new lesson with each speaker and activity and the ability to ask for help and offer it at the same time Leaving camp was the first day of the starting of the rest of my life.