Awards recognize youth business savvy

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More than 200 Aboriginal youth from across the country were in Halifax from May 13 to 16 taking part in this year's E-Spirit Business Plan Competition, designed to give Aboriginal high school students first-hand experience in being entrepreneurs.

"Over 300,000 new jobs will be required to meet the demand from Aboriginals entering the workforce over the next 10 years," explained Michel Vennat, president and CEO of the Business Development Bank of Canada, the organization that runs the annual competition. "This is why it is so vitally important to expose Aboriginal youth to the potential of entrepreneurship."

The competition is Internet-based, providing participating teams with online interactive business planning resources, online access to mentors, and opportunities to meet with other participating students, both virtually and in person.

Sixty-five teams representing 60 schools were involved in E-Spirit this year. The teams have been working since the beginning of the year to prepare for the competition in Halifax, where they were required to make a presentation about their business plan, as well as to present a business display using posters, product samples, business cards, promotional videos, and laptop demonstrations.

This year's E-Spirit gold award winning team was from Peguis Central school in Peguis, Man.

Team members Melody Bear, Amy Bear, Jaunita Hudson, Amber Cochrane and Carrie Sutherland, along with coach Marguerita Ogilvie, developed their business MAJAK International, which will market First Nations products to an international market.

The business plan calls for four lines of products-arts and crafts, accessories, clothing, and non-perishable food items-to be marketed via the Internet. The business slogan developed by the team was Experience the MAJAK.

The silver award went to Naomi Sayers from White Pines Collegiate & Vocational school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who was coached by Diana Thompson. Sayers' business plan was for Etcetera Event Planning, which provides event planning and co-ordination services designed to meet the needs of the working family, the busy office, or to plan any occasion in need of special recognition. The business slogan for Etcetera is Parties and So Much More.

The bronze award went to Cecilia Morgan, Khymlhyn Yunkws and Anthony Vickers from Hazelton secondary school in Hazelton, B.C., and their coach Brigitta Van Heek. Their business plan was for Hiking Gitxsan History Ltd., which will offer guided interpretive hikes on historic Gitxsan trails. The company slogan: Old Trail-New Adventures.