Students shine at 2005 E-Spirit trade show

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Aboriginal students from across Canada put their best entrepreneural foot forward in Edmonton May 11 at the E-Spirit Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition held at the University of Alberta.

This year's competition involved 534 students on 161 teams from 74 schools across the country. It was the fifth annual event sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

E-Spirit is a 16-week internet-based competition featuring interactive business planning resources, and access to mentors online. It provides students with the opportunity to meet and network with other students from across Canada, online and in person.

The E-Spirit competition exposes students to the rigors of starting their own businesses. They must come up with an idea, plan for it, sell the idea, work with other businesses, travel and adjust to the ever-changing business environment on an ongoing basis.

Teams of two to four students, a teacher, an Aboriginal mentor and technical advisors work together to develop a business concept into a complete business plan.

One team from Alberta was from St. Paul Regional High School, represented by Wade Stamp and Cliff Cardinal.

Their business is a youth centre in their school that provides counseling and support by students to students.

"We are only one of two teams entered in this business plan competition from Alberta. There are teams here from all over Canada, but only two from Alberta. Why is that," asked Cardinal.

"I was really shocked by that, but we are happy to be here representing the province and to promote our way of life to other Indigenous people," he said.

Only student teams that complete their business plans by the deadline are invited to the trade show to present their plans to a panel of judges from the business community.

This year, 80 of the 161 teams involved in E-Spirit completed their business plans and traveled to Edmonton. Judges there consisted of BDC employees, E-Spirit partner representatives, Aboriginal business owners, University of Alberta staff, and Edmonton Chamber of Commerce representatives.

Jim Richardson of Pabineau, N. B. is in charge of Aboriginal banking for BDC. Richardson works closely on the E-Spirit competition and talked about what the students get out of taking part and how competition has evolved over the last five years.

"One of the good things that this program reflects is peer pressure, and to some extent role modeling. These kids learn about E-Spirit at the school; not only participating kids, but those that aren't participating see kids walking around with their milestone awards [prizes given out at various stages of the competition], the [E-Spirit] logo on caps and things. They also hear their peers come back and talk about what a great time it was, all the things they learned," he said.

"I see an evolution of more and better prepared business plans, better oral presentations, and the videos are very creative as well. Overall the students are better prepared generally because the teachers know more about the program," he said.

Richardson said that though BDC does not track the students after the competition, he does know that some of the business plans have become businesses in reality.

The Gold Award at the 2005 E-Spirit Competition was given to Saugeen District Secondary School of Port Elgin, Ont. The students on the team are Emily Kahgee, Anthea Kahgee, and David Neganiwina. Their coach was Kim Harbinson. Their business is Mno-yaamgod, a restaurant in the community that would promote awareness of diabetes, obesity and other health issues related to Aboriginal people.

"We entered the competition this year because it was a good opportunity to get our idea out," said Anthea Kahgee. "There are a lot of good ideas here," she said.

The Silver Award was presented to Sudbury Secondary School of Sudbury, Ont. The students are Patricia and Jordan Debassige. Jhn Sauve coached the team. Their business, Debassige Vision Workshop, would conduct workshops for Aboriginal students about their culture, for youth to reach out to other youth and teach singing, dancing, drumming and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Seven Grandfather Teachings is a part of the Make a Connection Canada program, which is designed to strengthen the personal and social skills of First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth ranging in age from five to 18 years.

"We want to reach youth who aren't in touch with their culture. Because of discrimination and racism they are scared, ashamed in ways of being Aboriginal. With our business we want to promote and help people to understand it so that they are not scared of it so that they are more willing to accept it. We want them to be as proud of their culture as we are," said Jordan Debassige.

Children of the Earth High School in Winnipeg won the Bronze Award. The students are Danielle LaBoucane, Charlene Smith and Liz Turtle. Richard Petri coached. Their business idea is Sacred Journey Funeral Home, which would provide culturally sensitive funeral services for Aboriginal families. Services would include drummers, smudging, traditional dancers, singers and food.