The months of July and August were very rich in teachings for the youths of Listuguj and Mashteuiatsh. Actually, three entrepreneurial camps were organized this past summer to help ignite a passion for entrepreneurship amongst the young generations of these two communities.

In the summer of 2019, the communities of Listuguj and Mashteuiatsh organized entrepreneurial camps to introduce young people to the idea of entrepreneurship, because it is crucial to develop an entrepreneurial culture from the earliest age. It is also a way to encourage young people to stay in school and to reduce school drop-outs.

In the form of summer day camps, the youths had the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops, experimentation activities, exchanges with professionals specialized in economic development and visits to business establishments. These activities gave them a rich knowledge base on entrepreneurship, and it helped them develop their knowledge of business.

Youth Entrepreneurship Program in Listuguj

 The Mi’gmaq Government of Listuguj hosted two three-week entrepreneurial camps in the summer of 2019: one was held from July 1^st to the 19^th and the other from July 29^th to the 16^th.  Each session was attended by a cohort of a dozen youths, aged from 7 to 15.

It was the second consecutive year that these camps were offered and that the FNQLEDC was acting as a contributor.  In fact, our Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor, Myriam Vallières, was on site to offer workshops aimed at raising the youth’s awareness of entrepreneurship.

The cohorts of each session formed several working groups to reflect together and develop an entrepreneurial project for the duration of the camp. The youths had the opportunity to discover the components of entrepreneurship and the different parts of a business plan, and to place themselves in concrete situations through a number of entrepreneurial activities. All this was made possible thanks to the contribution of the local government which financed the purchase of ingredients required for the preparation of the products on sale.  The funds raised were shared amongst the youths as a token of appreciation for their efforts.

This was a very rewarding experience for the aspiring young entrepreneurs of Listuguj and it was appreciated by all!

Nimeshkanam, Youth Entrepreneurship Camp of Mashteuiatsh

The Société de Développement Économique Ilnu (SDEI), in partnership with the MRC du Domaine-du-Roy, proposed a Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, from August 12 to 16, 2019. Eight youths, aged from 12 to 17 participated in the event.  Five of the participants came from Mashteuiatsh and three, from the MRC.

Like in Listuguj, it was the second edition of this event whose objective is to encourage the youths to explore the various aspects of entrepreneurship and think about starting their own business as a prospect for the future. The FNQLEDC was involved in the preparation of the program for the first edition of the event.  Our Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor was on hand to offer a number of workshops.

The participants benefitted from entrepreneurial training and activities which helped them discover the components of entrepreneurship, the conception and realization of the project, and develop their entrepreneurial skills with the aim of drafting a simplified business plan.

The aspiring entrepreneurs were able to work on their business projects during the week, including five individual ones and one joint project carried by three young female entrepreneurs. At the end, the projects were presented to a panel of experts (« Dragons ») invited for the occasion which comprised one member of the local government, one representative of Caisse Desjardins and one representative of Produits forestiers Résolu.

Three of the projects presented were rewarded by the panel with bursaries of respectively 300 $, 200 $ and 100 $ :

• First prize: Laynee Blacksmith (Mashteuiatsh). Multiservice Health Centre project;
• Second prize : Arianne Harvey (Roberval), Mélina Harvey (Roberval) et Charlotte Bonneau (Chambord). Projet Alphagriffe, Animal shelter and caretaking ;
• Third prize: John-Lenny Weizineau (Mashteuiatsh). Indigenous arts and crafts.

As they are the future of their communities, the FNQLEDC is proud to have participated in these events which help stimulate new career interests in entrepreneurship amongst First Nations youth, through the development of their skills and abilities, and the promotion of their creativity and dynamism.

If you would like to present an entrepreneurial camp in your community, please do not hesitate to communicate with us!

For other initiatives targeting First Nations youth, we invite you to consult our youth entrepreneurship section.