At the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (IYEC) is a life-changing summer program created to motivate and prepare the upcoming generation of Indigenous business leaders. The program, which combines business instruction, cultural values, and practical experience, is aimed at high school students and recent graduates. IYEC supports Indigenous youth in creating and pursuing business initiatives that reflect the needs and ambitions of their communities by cultivating entrepreneurial skills and confidence.
Program Overview and Objectives
IYEC, which takes place every year at FNUniv’s Regina campus, welcomes Indigenous youth in grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates. The primary objective of the camp is to educate participants on the principles of small business administration and entrepreneurship in a nurturing, culturally sensitive environment. Students participate in team projects, interactive workshops, and networking events with prominent Indigenous entrepreneurs from Saskatchewan and abroad over a week.
The program’s objectives are to:
- Develop fundamental business skills (financial, marketing, and planning).
- Promote original thought and problem-solving skills.
- Develop your teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills to enhance your professional growth.
- Make connections between young people and Indigenous role models and business mentors.
- Give an overview of post-secondary opportunities and university life.
Daily Activities and Learning Experience
IYEC is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day, and each day is packed with fun and educational activities. In the mornings, classes are held to discuss subjects like:
- Advertising and marketing
- Forecasts of cash flow and finance
- Planning for business and human resources
- Digital tools and technology for business
During team-based activities in the afternoons, students collaborate to develop their business concepts from scratch. To replicate the “Dragons’ Den” experience, participants are divided into teams and assigned the responsibility of creating a business plan, branding their enterprise, and making a pitch to a panel of judges.
To promote friendship and a feeling of community, evenings are set aside for social and recreational pursuits, including movie nights, canoeing, and group excursions. Additionally, students spend a week living in university dorms, where they form enduring connections and get a firsthand look at campus life.
Mentorship, Networking, and Indigenous Values
IYEC is recognized for its emphasis on Indigenous values and its commitment to mentorship. Students engage with instructors, alumni, and successful Indigenous company entrepreneurs throughout the camp, who share their experiences and offer valuable guidance. By highlighting community, sustainability, and giving back, these mentors demystify entrepreneurship and demonstrate how business may be conducted in a way that is consistent with Indigenous worldviews.
Workshops and conversations cover how to incorporate social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and traditional wisdom into business strategies. In addition to challenging preconceived notions about business and Indigenous identity, students are encouraged to view entrepreneurship as a means to support their families and communities, as well as a path to personal achievement.
The Business Pitch Competition and Prizes
At the end of the camp, each team pitches their company proposal to a panel of judges in an exciting business pitch competition. Students’ presentation abilities, teamwork, inventiveness, and viability are assessed. To ensure that everyone departs with a reward for their efforts, the top performers are named “MVPs” and have first dibs on rewards, which include gift cards, the newest electronic devices, and more.
Students gain confidence, practice communicating their ideas, and get a taste of what it’s like to pitch to actual investors in this supportive yet competitive setting—a crucial skill for aspiring business owners.
Impact and Success Stories
IYEC has a history of encouraging Indigenous students to pursue entrepreneurship and business education. With only 20 spaces available each year, the camp receives dozens of applications from across Canada, making it a highly competitive opportunity. Alumni have gone on to start their own companies, study business administration at the post-secondary level, and rise to positions of leadership in their local communities.
For instance, IYEC MVP Aiden Akan-Kinistino, who is currently a business student at FNUniv, created a clothing firm proposal at the camp. Numerous individuals express greater self-assurance, inventiveness, and a better understanding of how business can positively impact Indigenous communities.
Opportunities for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
More than just business training, IYEC gives prospective Indigenous entrepreneurs a sense of community, mentorship, and support. Participants can envision successful and culturally significant businesses thanks to the camp’s emphasis on incorporating Indigenous values into economic strategies.
Youth who participate in IYEC have access to tools, role models, and a peer community that shares their goals. Whether starting a business, attending college, or rising to a position of leadership in their community, the experience provides a solid foundation for future success.
For young Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada, the FNUniv Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Camp serves as a guiding light. Through a combination of mentorship, cultural grounding, and hands-on business instruction, the camp develops the next generation of Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs. It inspires young people to embrace their roots, dream big, and start enterprises that improve their communities, and its influence goes well beyond the classroom.
IYEC is continuing to set the standard for youth entrepreneurship education in Canada, as demand for the program increases, demonstrating that Indigenous youth can take the lead in creating a more prosperous and inclusive future with the proper support.
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