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TRIPARTITE FORUM
September 5, 2003
Aboriginal Youth Focus on Business
About 150 aboriginal youth representing all 13 Nations in Nova Scotia heard a wide range of advice to inspire them about business-related careers. Career First, the first annual First Nation Youth Business Summit recently brought together aboriginal youth in Eskasoni and Sydney for a two-day conference.
Topics included information technology and multimedia, arts and culture, and career choices. Each session included sub-sessions and guest speakers from both local and national levels. Some of the mentors included Susan Aglukark, Tom Jackson, Tamara Podemski, community leaders such as Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy and other local mentors.
“The summit assists in providing aboriginal youth with the skills and tools to inspire them towards pursuing business opportunities,” stated Louis Joe Bernard, economic development advisor for Union of Nova Scotia Indians. “The youth will share this knowledge with others in their home communities.”
Co-hosted by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and Eskasoni First Nation, the concept developed from an aboriginal youth roundtable held in Nova Scotia. As a result of the roundtable the youth identified business topics of interest.
Funding for the project was provided by ECBC under the Young Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Aspiring Entrepreneurs Element.
The success of the event is giving momentum to hold the summit again next year to help aboriginal youth to continue to explore their career options.
The Tripartite Forum through the economic development working committee, one of its six working committees, addresses issues relating to economic development and Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. Results of this forum include projects such as Career First.
The Tripartite Forum was formally established in 1997 as a partnership between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq, province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada to strengthen relationships and resolve outstanding Mi’kmaw issues of mutual concern. The Tripartite Forum is a vehicle to address issues that affect the lives of all Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq.