Indigenous youth learn about Indigenous business excellence during a field trip to UBC Sauder
Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, Executive Director of Indigenous Business Initiatives and Engagement at UBC Sauder, welcomed Indigenous high school students with a greeting in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language followed by a traditional song to culturally ground the event.
Indigenous students from four Vancouver high schools spent the day at the UBC Sauder School of Business, talking about Indigenous entrepreneurship and the role business plays in community development. The event kicked off a new partnership between Junior Achievement British Columbia (JABC), the Vancouver School Board (VSB) and UBC Sauder. Over the next several weeks, the students will learn how to build their own small enterprise in a course that blends Western and Indigenous business practices.
Teaching entrepreneurship and emphasizing Indigenous cultural values
The pilot course is being offered to Indigenous students from Britannia, Vancouver Technical, Lord Byng and Point Grey secondary schools. It is taught in-school by JABC volunteer advisors from the local business community. Over 16 weeks, the students will examine Western and Indigenous business models as they work in teams to create their own small enterprise. Through the process, they will gain new entrepreneurial skills while learning about team building, decision making and leadership.
Dennis Thomas-Whonoak is the Executive Director of Indigenous Business Initiatives and Engagement at UBC Sauder. He is also an elected councillor with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and an entrepreneur. As a co-developer of the course curriculum, he will teach some of the modules and connect students with Indigenous business leaders in the community.
“Education is a tool for empowerment,” Thomas-Whonoak told the students. “It opens doors to opportunities and it provides knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world. It was truly inspiring and my spirit was full to see these young minds take a step toward their futures, embracing business education and the vibrant Indigenous community we are building at Sauder. The Pathways program embodies the Two-Eyed Seeing approach—blending Western business concepts with Indigenous values to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. Seeing Indigenous students step into this space, embracing both perspectives, is a powerful reminder of the strength and innovation within our communities,” he added.
Delivering educational programming that appeals to Indigenous students
UBC Sauder Dean, Darren Dahl welcomed the students and discussed the school’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities through education.
“We’re excited that you’re here and we hope that through this course, you will get to know our school and consider UBC Sauder as an option in your future,” he said. “Our faculty and staff are very serious about UNDRIP and UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan and we are living these goals by introducing Indigenous culture, history, experiences and world views into our course curriculum, by encouraging more Indigenous students to come to UBC, and by forming community partnerships like this one with JABC and the VSB.”
Engaging with UBC Sauder students and alumni
A highlight of the day was meeting Indigenous students and alumni from the business school.
Caedmon Kovacs, a first-year student and member of the Red River Métis Nation, described interviewing Jenn Harper, the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics for his podcast, Leadership Lessons.
“I’ve interviewed some very successful business leaders, but Jenn Harper made me see entrepreneurship in a whole new light,” said Kovacs. “She spoke about living through your values and explained that profits and business success are not things you keep for yourself, but things you share with your community.”
Second-year student Billy August found inspiration at home through a relative who is a successful entrepreneur with Salish Soils, a company that takes waste such as wood and compost and transforms it into fertile soil and mulch products.
“After graduation, I hope to have begun the steps of a building a business venture that is based around my Indigenous culture,” said August, who is member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in North Vancouver and the Sechelt First Nation on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. “I plan to use my major in Entrepreneurship to support this goal and give me an advantage in navigating the entrepreneurship world.”
Third-year student Elise Bisson, who is a member of the Red River Métis community in Winnipeg, was asked by a high school student how she found her community at UBC.
“I got a part-time job at the First Nations Longhouse. It’s not only a beautiful building, it’s also a really welcoming community,” said Bisson. “We have student lunches once a week where you get to know other Indigenous students from across campus. We also offer tutoring sessions in math, science, economics and writing, which helped me a lot throughout my first year.”
Annalies Verhoeff is a fourth-year student from the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan. She is also part of the Spitz Fellows Program, a scholarship for Indigenous women endowed by UBC alumni Warren and Maureen Spitz.
“I joined a student club called the AMS Indigenous Business Association. We organize business events throughout the year and we also just like to hang out,” explained Verhoeff, who is majoring in Real Estate. “I’ve made some great connections across UBC as well as in the Indigenous business community and I’m hoping to work with some of them as I build my career.”
Envisioning life after high school
The high school students will return to UBC Sauder in June to share stories about their business-building experiences. UBC Sauder staff and faculty will also be on hand to share more information about the school’s degree programs and Indigenous student services.
“We hope that through these campus visits, you will get to know our school and start to consider UBC Sauder as a potential pathway to the career you envision for yourselves,” said Dean Dahl.