University student wins case writing competition

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A resident of the Tobacco Plains reserve was one of the winners in the 1999 "Indigenous Futures 2000" international case writing competition.

Kim Gravelle is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge's Aboriginal Management Certificate program, and is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Management's General degree program. Gravelle won the award for best student submission, as well as an honorable mention in the general awards category.

Gravelle's award-winning entry was a case study of the situation in her home community, located in southeastern B.C., where a financial and governance crisis led to closing of the band office and an outside accounting firm being brought in to manage the band's finances.

"As a student, I always enjoyed doing cases that were real life situations/problems. After I graduate, I would like to return home, and once again try to make a difference in our communities," Gravelle said.

The case writing competition is sponsored by the Business Enterprises and Self-Governing Systems of Indian, Inuit and Metis Peoples (BESS) program at the U of L, and is held to give researchers an opportunity to examine Aboriginal individuals, groups or organizations facing challenging management issues.

The BESS program encompasses the Aboriginal Management Certificate, the Bachelor of Management degree, and the post-diploma Bachelor of Management degree. This is the fourth time BESS has sponsored the case writing competition.

Gravelle's case study was one of 27 entered in the competition, with entries coming from Canada, the U.S. and Australia. Gravelle was awarded $1,000 for her winning student entry, and her case study will added to the collection at the U of L resource library.