Youth camp to provide a foundation to entrepreneurs

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The first annual entrepreneurial youth camp was organized by the Treaty Seven Economic Development office at Tsuu T'ina First Nation. The youth camp with a business angle was held on Feb. 21 to 27 at the Nakota Lodge near Morley, Alta. There are 30 young people taking part in seminars that will offer them a closer look at what it takes to start a business.

"They are really going to have to focus for the week they are at the camp," said Shea Yellowhorn, co-ordinator of the business camp. The one-week intensified course is for youth with a business idea or plan in mind.

While at the camp, participants will hear from other youth who have successfully started their own businesses. Most of the instruction will take place in workshops. Several business analysts from the economic development office and Western Economic Diversification will be offering their expertise to the youth registered for the camp. As well, both organizations offer business loans to First Nation people.

"We have people like a fellow who is starting his own recording business coming in," said Yellowhorn. The idea to target Native youth entrepreneurs is to give them a better chance to start their own businesses, and Yellowhorn feels it is a good opportunity.

One of the main criteria the youth must meet for the camp is to have a business plan or idea. Youth must not be receiving employment insurance benefits, but those receiving band social assistance are accepted, said Yellowhorn. The co-ordinator will be checking in with the participants after the camp to determine whether they have been successful in their business ventures, he said.

"We want to put the whole picture together for them. We really saw a need for First Nations youth to become more involved in business," said Jan Tilley, a business analyst for the Treaty Seven Economic Development.

In one of the sessions, a banker will walk the participants through the process of getting a bank loan. In another, presenters from Aboriginal Business Canada will provide information on what is available to youth. The feedback from these sessions will give the youth priceless insight into what will make their businesses work, said Tilley.

Tilley pointed out that a strong component of the training is First Nation culture. Youth will begin the workshops with opening and closing prayers and a sunrise ceremony each day. Elders will also offer teachings that will be part of the course.

"It's to really embrace ourselves, our culture, and to be able to survive in business with that as a foundation," said Tilley. She believes the cultural component will provide an edge for the youth in the business world.

The whole idea of celebrating the success of First Nation people is a positive message the camp is intending to give the participants, said Tilley. The creativity and high energy that young people radiate is what is needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

Tilley pointed out that Yellowhorn, who is 25, was working on his own dream of starting his business when he came into the Treaty 7 office for help. He was later hired as the co-ordinator of the camp. Yellowhorn will be on staff for a month after the course is finished and will continue to work on his business, a mobile basketball camp.

The enthusiasm that youth display when they have an idea is great because self-motivation is a prime trait to have in owning and operating your own business, commented Tilley. When people are working in that atmosphere it's hard not get caught up in it, she said.