Who should apply?
The Ch'nook Management Program (formerly known as the Aboriginal Management Program) is designed for First Nation (status & non-status), Métis and Inuit Canadian Indigenous applicants with a background or interest in business:
- Development corporation staff with managerial and leadership potential
- Band management staff
- Indigenous entrepreneurs
- Indigenous community business leaders
- Indigenous business professionals
Admission to the 2025 Ch'nook Management Program is now closed.
The deadline to apply was March 2, 2025 at midnight. Please check back in November, 2025 for information on the 2026 program.
Program overview
The Ch'nook Management Program is a certificate program offering business concepts and business fundamentals in a professional Indigenous context. Over the course of the program, students will participate in various business courses taught by UBC Sauder faculty and other business professionals.
The program integrates leading-edge knowledge and practical, relevant management training with Indigenous experience and perspectives to create an integrated learning experience. Participants will learn key business topics and develop a business model, applicable to their business idea, or that of their council, community or economic development corporation. Students will present their capstone project on the final day of class.
Ch'nook Management Program core topics
- Introduction to Business
- Market Research
- Marketing Strategy
- Accounting and Finance
- Operations
- Introduction to Human Resources
- Introduction to Project Management
- Conflict Resolution
All sessions are led by distinguished leaders, senior Sauder faculty members, and industry experts who offer one-on-one coaching and mentorship. At the culmination of the program, the capstone presentations bring together the students, professors and industry professionals to test the integrated education with real-life business challenges.
Participants are required to attend all mandatory classes and complete assigned homework and readings in order to graduate and receive a graduation certification.
Course delivery format and cost
The 2025 Ch'nook Management Program is mostly in-person, with a few online classes. Students interested in the program must commit to attending all classes, both in-person and online.
Students will come to UBC Vancouver's Point Grey campus for three weeks: March 28 to April 2, May 12 to May 16, and June 2 to June 6, 2025. A few online courses will occur in May. The course schedule can be found below.
Thanks to the generous support of Ch'nook program donors, accepted students are eligible for tuition coverage and travel and accommodation coverage while attending in-person classes. Details are outlined in the application form.
Program dates
Participants are expected to attend all classes and present their final capstone presentations on June 6, 2025.
| Date | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2025 | 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| March 29, 2025 | 8:30 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| March 30, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| March 31, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| April 1, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| April 2, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| May 12, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| May 13, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| May 14, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| May 15, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| May 21, 2025 | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm PST | Online |
| May 28, 2025 | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm PST | Online |
| June 2, 2025 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm PST | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| June 3, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PST | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| June 4, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PST | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
| June 5, 2025 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PST | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
|
June 5, 2025 Graduation |
9:00 am to 4:00 pm PST | In-person @ UBC Vancouver campus |
Program expectations
The Ch'nook Management Program is an intensive business education program. Students are required to attend all classes, both online and in-person. Students must complete assigned homework and present their final capstone project on the last day of class in order to pass the program and receive a graduation certificate.
FAQ
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No, the Ch'nook Management Program is a certificate program and is based on a pass/fail basis. Students must attend all required classes, complete homework assignments on time and present their final capstone project on the final day of class in order to pass the program. Upon completion of the program, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a graduation certificate signed by the Dean of the Sauder School of Business.
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Yes, UBC Ch’nook has tuition bursaries available for any successfully admitted Indigenous student who cannot acquire tuition funding.
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Yes, thanks to the generous support of Ch'nook program donors, accepted students will receive travel and accommodation coverage while attending in-person classes. Details are outlined in the application form.
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On average, 15 Indigenous students are selected each year for the program.
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Yes, the Ch'nook Management Program is offered only to First Nation (status & non-status), Métis and Inuit Canadian Indigenous applicants. Proof of heritage is required when applying to the program.
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The capstone project is a cornerstone of the CMP program, where students apply knowledge from their business classes to develop a practical and actionable business idea.
Delivered in the final CMP class, the project includes a PowerPoint and oral presentation. Students receive feedback and guidance from Sauder faculty, industry professionals, mentors, and peers throughout its development.
Each project outlines the vision, mission, and operational plan of the business idea, supported by a case for financial viability. Topics are tailored to students’ personal, professional, or community interests. Many alumni have successfully transformed their capstone projects into thriving businesses post-graduation, underscoring the program’s real-world impact.
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There are no formal educational prerequisites to apply for the Ch’nook Management Program. Any Indigenous applicant aged 19 or older is eligible to apply.
The application form asks for details about your educational background, as well as your proficiency in math, Microsoft Word, Zoom, and Excel. While basic skills in math and Excel are recommended, they are not mandatory. These skills will support your success, as students will develop a cash flow and income statement using Excel for their capstone projects.
This program is an efficient way to gain a diverse skill base needed to participate in business. Areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, research, human resources, and systems management all help lead to proper business planning and implementation.
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Need more information?
Our team is happy to help.
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Get in touch
+1 604.822.0988
chnookadmin@ch-nook.ubc.caVisit the Contact Us page for more information