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First Nations trip a transformational experience for SFU MBAs

Aug 9, 2012

This past April, five of them, along with SFU MBA alumnus Lerato Chondoma and MBA Academic Director Dave Hannah, explored and engaged Vancouver Island Indigenous communities in the context of not only business development, but also their traditions, beliefs and customs. The group set off on April 23 to visit Nuu-chah-nulth communities on Vancouver Island – including Tseshaht, Ucluelet and Ahousaht – over the course of six days. The latter First Nation is the largest Nuu-chah-nulth Nation and home to Shawn Atleo, recently re-elected as national leader of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations. During the excursion, the students visited a myriad of leading Indigenous entrepreneurs, small- and medium-sized businesses and government agencies. These included Nuu chah nulth Economic Development Corp., First Nations Wildcrafters, Ucluth Development Corp., Iisaak Forest Resources, Tseshaht Market, White Raven Consulting and Les Sam Construction. They also met First Nations leaders, including Michelle Corfield, an Executive in Residence at the Beedie School of Business and Chair of the Legislature at Ucluelet First Nation and Trevor Jones, CEO of Ucluelet Economic Development.

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