Mount Currie, British Columbia
Fundamentals of Community-Based Business for Indigenous Communities and Beyond
Project Lead: Amanda Walker, Capilano University
Capilano University’s “Gathering Together: Introduction to Small Business Startup within Indigenous Communities” beta-test project was delivered in Mount Currie, a First Nation reserve located two and half hours north of Vancouver. Mount Currie is currently home to 1300 Lil’wat.
There is a need among the Lil’wat to create small business/self-employment opportunities. Individuals with low literacy and numeracy levels often cycle through low wage jobs without opportunities for advancement. Self-employment creates opportunities for flexible schedules to balance multi-generational family obligations and attending community and ceremonial events.
This project supported the participants’ goals for self-employment, working within the community, building capacity within the Nation, and participating in employment that grows and gives back to the community. Through an Indigenous lens, the project worked with the whole person. It included strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety and supported participants’ learning readiness by developing their literacy, numeracy and digital skills, alongside engagement in entrepreneurial training.
Participants gained skills to start small businesses or ladder into high-level entrepreneurship or small business programs.
This beta-test site has developed and shared curricula for their training delivery, and has been selected to continue to the Pilot Test phase of this project.
Read the beta-test report.