ECO Canada Indigenous Environmental Entrepreneur Certificate

Being a successful business leader is about more than just understanding the concepts. It is about identifying opportunities for growth, acquiring leadership and management skills, and having the chance to connect with people who have successfully started and expanded their own business. 

The new Indigenous Entrepreneurship program partnered between UNBC Continuing Studies and ECO Canada, introduces the leadership tools, techniques, and management practices to help Indigenous entrepreneurs upgrade their skill set to expand their businesses to different level.

This program is funded by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. 

Each participant who successfully completes the program will receive a $300 honourarium.

The fully-funded program for eligible applicants will be delivered over four weeks in a combination of virtual live workshops and self-paced learning, which will include:

  • Virtual Workshop: Students will partake in total of 16 virtual workshops via live Zoom sessions.
  • Online Course Resources: During the program, students will have access to course material utilizing our Learning Management System Desire2Learn. On the LMS they will be able to access the participant manual, PowerPoints, case studies/assignments, quizzes, in addition to group discussion boards that are monitored by the instructor.
  • Case Studies: Students will be required to complete weekly case studies related to their prior week’s learning. These case studies may result in a final presentation that will happen at the end of the program.
  • Course Support: Throughout the 4-week program students will have access to the course instructors to ask questions, receive guidance or support.
  • Coaching and Mentorship (Post Program): Participating business leaders will have access to one-on-one leadership coaching and business mentoring. Coaches and mentors will represent a diversity of individuals including Indigenous business executive, academics, and community leaders. Ongoing coaching and mentoring to graduating businesses leaders for a period of two months.

This program is for Indigenous business owners in the natural resources sector, who are looking to diversify their businesses.  It will be taught by various experts in management, communications and more. 


Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding the environmental sector’s broad trends and opportunities for growth
  • Leadership tools and techniques, intertwined with Indigenous traditional knowledge, that can help business leaders navigate the complexity of the sector
  • Team and business management best practices based on the latest research and is based on Indigenous concepts and traditional knowledge
  • Meaningful approaches to engaging with diverse communities and delivering solutions to meet their needs while respecting the local culture and traditions.
Location:
Virtual Classroom
  • 2 - 5 hours per week of Zoom sessions