Bimaaji'owin Anonidiwin - Youth Enrepreneurship

Bimaaji'owin Anonidiwin describes using your traditional skills to feed your family as a way of life. SCEP (Strategic Community Entrepreneurship Project) funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is a partnership with NADF, Thunder Bay Entrepreneur Centre and KO to provide training material and a network of mentors to support at risk youth in their efforts to establish social enterprises in KiHS partner First Nation communities. 40 participants will be invited to join the network and create training to employment plans. We expect that 30 will complete formal training, 20 will receive wrap-around supports and 8 will be successful in receiving micro-grants. 27 new social enterprises will be established including 25 part-time operations and 2 participants working full-time in their businesses.

Training – will involve learning life skills, leadership, critical thinking, and knowledge by means of a formal curriculum, adapted using concrete tools to help run a business. KIHS will deliver the online accredited curriculum, with a certified teacher. Partnered regional organizations will provide enhanced curriculum through video conference. The Seeds of Change Hub will provide links to relevant online resources and links to toolkits. http://bamiseedsofchange.ca/

Mentorship - 4 part-time regional mentors will be located in KiHS classrooms across the north. The mentors will receive training through the Seeds of Change Project and will be equipped to provide advice and referrals to participants. They will participate in v-c workshops, advisory meetings, and provide insight for micro-loan applications and entrepreneurship planning and operation.

Wrap-Around Support – Support will be provided to participants who indicate in their plan that they have a barrier to training or entrepreneurship.

Micro Financing – Participants are invited to apply for a micro grant in the amount of $3,000. A granting committee will review a basic application along with a brief business plan. 8 grants will be awarded in 3 payments. $750 upon approval $1,500 after one-on-one training with mentor and $750 after timesheets of 80 hours of work in the business.

This project will use a youth outreach and recruitment strategy. This includes using EDO engagement, open houses, radio shows, and social media.

For More Information Contact:
Armanda Cimon, Resource Project Coordinator
Keewaytinook Okimakanak
1046 Memorial St. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A3
807.766.8442 Ext:1284, Toll Free: 800.766.3740, Fax: 807.768.4817