Changing the Game: Aboriginal Business and Leadership
Business and economic development are increasingly important to First Nations in establishing independent sources of income and control over traditional territories. Impact benefit agreements and revenue sharing arrangements are further adding to resources available. Building Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leadership and management capacity within the context of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples will provide tangible benefits of strategic planning, entrepreneurship, capacity building, principled leadership, cultural and environmental stewardship skill and understanding to participating leaders as well as to their extended communities.
The Executive MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership explores contemporary business issues and knowledge while recognizing that the traditional protocols and ways of understanding the world are also growing and changing as new generations assume responsibility for moving forward. The program has been designed to deliver MBA course content that incorporates the unique and changing challenges to aboriginal business while dealing respectfully with traditional indigenous knowledge and protocols.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership’s first cohort will begin classes in September of 2012. It is the first executive MBA program directed to an Aboriginal context for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders. The students will be established leaders with real-world experience who are prepared to take on a challenging and demanding executive MBA experience.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership will be delivered through the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. The Business School has a long history of providing customized MBA programs to meet the needs of specific audiences. Faculty at the Business School have developed relationships with a number of Aboriginal organizations and communities as well as established businesses with strong interests in building strong relationships with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, Simon Fraser University has identified Aboriginal peoples as a key group that need to be better served by the University and is in the process of revising and implementing the Aboriginal Strategic Plan to improve facilities to support Aboriginal needs. The knowledge and expertise of the Beedie School of Business combined with Simon Fraser University’s stated objective to better serve Aboriginal peoples resulted in an ideal context in which to launch the program.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership will be highly successful given the support for the program already provided by internally by Simon Fraser University; externally by an Advisory Board of aboriginal business and community leaders, corporate supporters, friends, and a high calibre of applicants and accepted students. Already in the planning, program development and recruiting phase this program has made a difference by engaging Aboriginal leaders and faculty members at the Beedie School in dialogue about business and community interests. This initial dialogue signals that this program will not only train Aboriginal leaders but also will engage non-Aboriginal business, community leaders and academics to understand the context and knowledge of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
About You
About You
First Name
Mark
Last Name
Selman
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
mselman
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Simon Fraser University, Segal Graduate School of Business at the Beedie School of Business
Country
Canada, BC
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
Métis people, First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Other.
What best describes your group or organization
University, Technical Institute or College.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Changing the Game: Aboriginal Business and Leadership
Tell us the story of your idea or project
Business and economic development are increasingly important to First Nations in establishing independent sources of income and control over traditional territories. Impact benefit agreements and revenue sharing arrangements are further adding to resources available. Building Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leadership and management capacity within the context of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples will provide tangible benefits of strategic planning, entrepreneurship, capacity building, principled leadership, cultural and environmental stewardship skill and understanding to participating leaders as well as to their extended communities.
The Executive MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership explores contemporary business issues and knowledge while recognizing that the traditional protocols and ways of understanding the world are also growing and changing as new generations assume responsibility for moving forward. The program has been designed to deliver MBA course content that incorporates the unique and changing challenges to aboriginal business while dealing respectfully with traditional indigenous knowledge and protocols.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership’s first cohort will begin classes in September of 2012. It is the first executive MBA program directed to an Aboriginal context for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders. The students will be established leaders with real-world experience who are prepared to take on a challenging and demanding executive MBA experience.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership will be delivered through the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. The Business School has a long history of providing customized MBA programs to meet the needs of specific audiences. Faculty at the Business School have developed relationships with a number of Aboriginal organizations and communities as well as established businesses with strong interests in building strong relationships with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, Simon Fraser University has identified Aboriginal peoples as a key group that need to be better served by the University and is in the process of revising and implementing the Aboriginal Strategic Plan to improve facilities to support Aboriginal needs. The knowledge and expertise of the Beedie School of Business combined with Simon Fraser University’s stated objective to better serve Aboriginal peoples resulted in an ideal context in which to launch the program.
The Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership will be highly successful given the support for the program already provided by internally by Simon Fraser University; externally by an Advisory Board of aboriginal business and community leaders, corporate supporters, friends, and a high calibre of applicants and accepted students. Already in the planning, program development and recruiting phase this program has made a difference by engaging Aboriginal leaders and faculty members at the Beedie School in dialogue about business and community interests. This initial dialogue signals that this program will not only train Aboriginal leaders but also will engage non-Aboriginal business, community leaders and academics to understand the context and knowledge of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
The EMBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership integrates Aboriginal context and traditional knowledge to build capacity and strengthen communities.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (the project is up and running and is starting to move forward)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
The social impact of the Executive MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership is tremendous given that it will bring together current leaders and increase their business and economic development skills. First Nations people have tended to cultivate skills in law, teaching and health sciences but have now realized business and economic development as critical to their well-being and that of future generation. The program will be a ground for a meeting of cultures between business and aboriginal ways of knowing and decision making. Advanced, accredited business education will avoid dependencies on outside consultants and equip aboriginal people with tools to better manage their own affairs.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
The first cohort will be one third of the way through the program and ideally intakes for subsequent cohorts will be planned.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
In five years the first cohort of the Executive Master of Business Administration in Aboriginal Business and Leadership will have graduated. From this cohort a community of well-educated Aboriginal leaders will be established leading to better information and skills sharing across Aboriginal businesses and communities. Graduates who are working in Aboriginal communities in leadership functions will be building capacity in their organizations and empowering others within the community. Graduates working in the corporate sector will be enhancing cultural and business knowledge within larger organizations. Additionally, graduates will be addressing challenges and opportunities with entrepreneurial and innovative approaches.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
The program is self-sustaining on the basis of fees. Communities and corporations as well as philanthropic organizations are interested in supporting the initiative. Forty thousand dollars of funding from the Beedie Family has been pledged to the program in awards to students and the Beedie School has invested one hundred thousand in program development, outreach and engagement.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
Several corporations are considering how they can support the initiative – either through financial support or engagement with students. More than 15 professionals and business leaders have also asked to become ‘Friends of the Program,’ volunteering as guest lecturers, mentors and resource persons for students and faculty. Key Aboriginal organizations including the National Centre for First Nations Governance are also partnering with the school to deliver parts of the program.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
We are currently receiving support from 'Friends of the Program' who are serving and will continue to serve in advising capacities to faculty and students. As well, corporate partners have offered to provide in-kind support to the program.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
Yes (answer the next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoMark Selman updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoMark Selman submitted this idea. |
