Ch’nook Aboriginal Business Education: Fostering aboriginal business leadership

Successful Aboriginal businesses run by Aboriginal managers are crucial to ensure the self-sufficiency and sustained economic growth of Aboriginal communities. The Ch’nook Aboriginal Business Education initiative at the Sauder School of Business is an investment in future generations of Aboriginal business leaders, and the future of business in Canada.

Established in 2002 as a collaborative effort of UBC’s First Nations House of Learning and the Sauder School of Business, Ch’nook offers a full range of business education opportunities for Aboriginal participants, including the exploration of business career opportunities with high-school students; networking and support for Aboriginal students engaged in full-time business studies; and the Advanced Management Program (AMP) for Aboriginal participants looking to develop fundamental business knowledge and skills including accounting, finance, human resources, information systems, marketing, operations, and strategic planning (AMP 2010 graduates pictured above).

Over the past eight years, the pioneering Ch’nook venture has established a network that includes community leaders, 24 post-secondary institutions, an outstanding Aboriginal Advisory Council, Aboriginal scholars, Aboriginal Bands, and members of the business community. Through this solid framework, Ch’nook provides critical business training to develop the Aboriginal management capacity that will generate sustainable economic growth and, in turn, sustainable communities.

Ch’nook aims to significantly increase the number of students engaged in meaningful business studies through the Ch’nook initiative and across BC. Increased participation in Ch’nook will make a genuine difference in Aboriginal communities by empowering Aboriginal youth and enabling them to reach their full potential as knowledgeable and innovative members of the business community. 

Your gift to Ch’nook may support:

• opportunities for students to attend peer-support and educational gatherings, and provides access to career advice, academic support and financial awards through the Ch’nook Scholars network
  
• awards to significantly offset tuition fees and enable an individual’s participation in the Advanced Management Program
• Ch’nook Cousins regional gatherings for high school students across the province. 

To find out how you can support Aboriginal business education, please contact Anna Collins, Associate Director, at 604.827.5424 or anna.collins@sauder.ubc.ca.