Students learn about business, philanthropy through special program

Increased success with high school completion at Kainai High School on the Blood Reserve in recent years has attracted the attention of former Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurial Program.

Kainai is the second First Nations high school in Canada to be selected for the program, which draws together partners in education, local businesses and banking to teach students how to create a successful business and give back to their community.
The program began in August 2013 with the Martin initiative providing staff training, text books, and teacher resources, created specifically from an Aboriginal viewpoint. The ongoing moral support has been invaluable, said Kainai principal Annette Bruised Head, who helped officially launch the program on Jan. 21.

Students of the high school are gaining a sense of self-determination through the entrepreneur course, learning how to create a business plan, life-skills and financial literacy.

“They are also learning to move forward for themselves, identifying needs, problem-solving and an open knowledge base to life. They are building a connection with each other, with the community, with the world,” said Bruised Head.

Life on the reserve is insular.

“Kids on the reserve haven’t had experiences,” she said.
Bruised Head is constantly reflecting on how to engage the students and keep them interested. The entrepreneurial course is helping students create goals and aspirations for the future, whether it enables them to create a successful business or opens doors to post-secondary.

Students in Grade 11 gain mentorship from Scotia Bank employees at Standoff, to create a business plan for an e-business; in Grade 12, the students pitch their ideas to the bank. The first six students’ business ideas ranged from T-shirts, sunglasses and sporting goods to modelling and cosmetology. If their pitch is successful, they receive a $500 gift from the bank to execute their plan.

The program also teaches philanthropy. As part of their plan, students choose which charity they wish to support whether it’s their local food bank, shelter or humane society.

Brian Porter, Scotiabank president and CEO, said the program speaks to the bank’s Bright Future Philanthropy Program, the focus of which is education and the essence of which is to give back to the communities in which its employees live and work.
“The Entrepreneurial aspect of the program ties in nicely with the bank,” he said, adding he was touched touring the school and observing firsthand the level of commitment of the superintendent, the parents, the grandparents, the teachers and the students. “We are proud to be a sponsor, proud to be involved and proud to support our customers.”

An advantage of the program is the economic value to the community.
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“We have to work with our own. We have to support our own members and other First Nations,” said deputy superintendent Dr. Morris Many Fingers.

Many Fingers praises the commitment of Bruised Head, herself a graduate of Kainai High when it was St. Mary’s, and associate principal Charlton Weasel Head.

Bruised Head attributes the success to the collective effort.
“It takes a team to keep the vision,” she said.

Photo caption: Students of the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program at Kainai High School joined(front row)The Right Honourable Paul Martin (left) and Scotiabank President and CEO Brian Porter, (back row) with Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weasel Head (centre) AYEP teacher Darcie Thomas (second from right) and Kainai High School Principal Annette Bruised Head (third from right).