Photos say Thousands of Words in the Aboriginal BEST Program
By Alice Walkus, Aboriginal BEST project participant and AYM Team member
I first heard about the
Aboriginal BEST-
Business Entrepreneurship Skills Training program through a friend who had graduated from the program. She said it was a very informative course, and it was inspiring to learn about so many types of successful businesses, especially those with an Aboriginal perspective, with Aboriginal owners, and Aboriginal partnerships!
I was intrigued that there was a business course
for Aboriginal people, led mostly by Aboriginal people, and that because of support from the
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation… it was free!
Of course other highlights of the program were that books and food were provided, so who can argue with that?
Big Benefits of Taking Courses in Aboriginal Communities and Organizations
I searched Aboriginal BEST on-line and found info at
www.aboriginalbest.com. There was lots of info about the course, it’s goals and what I can expect. But as I kept searching on-line, it wasn’t until I began reading through last year’s issues of
RedWAY BC News to find that Aboriginal BEST takes about 60 hours of class time.
1) FLEXIBILITY in delivery
Each region can set up a different class format and structure, depending on what the community needs most. Because they’re delivered locally (usually in Community Futures organizations, at small business centres through Band Councils, or at non-profit organizations that have a strong commitment to supporting employment and training programs) the program coordinators decide if it’s BEST (pun intended) to do 12 weekend sessions, 12 weekday sessions, half-days, evenings…whatever will work most for the majority of people in their community.
2) LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Some huge advantages to having these courses delivered right in the community include that they are hosted in a welcoming, accessible environment, usually by people that know a lot about local businesses and the economy of the region.
3) EASY TO ACCESS AND INSPIRING
I’d heard through
Kristin and
RedWAY BC News that a winter 2009 Aboriginal BEST was to be offered in partnership with the
Northwest Coast Jewelry Arts (NWCJA) program at the
NativeEducationCollege, and knew the central location of the school and its focus on culturally-relevant programming meant I’d feel right at home. Plus, it would be a great place for me to meet and share ideas with other local artists, too.
Motivation – personal and professional knowledge
I signed up for Aboriginal BEST for a few reasons; first, it was to enhance my own skills in business so I could start my own business someday. Secondly, at that time, I was in the role of Executive Assistant for the
KnowledgeableAboriginalYouthAssociation, and I think it’s very important that all staff from all non-profit organizations to have a basic knowledge of the business topics that are covered by BEST.
It’s important to know about how Aboriginal people have a rich history of traders and entrepreneurship. Plus, you’ll learn about managing day-to-day operations, setting up company procedures, tracking and reducing expenses, choosing types of insurance, benefits of HR policies, taxation and laws and of course, marketing. Gotta get the word out about your project and organization or nobody will know about the good work you do!
Jumping in – learning about opportunities on the first day
Right away, I found the sessions interesting. The “Idea vs. Opportunity” concept presented in the BEST workbook would help both our board members and staff need to know how to use limited resources to decide what is worth pursuing…to decide if our ideas could actually become ideas that generate revenue.
During the rest of the 11 sessions of BEST, I found numerous things that I learned from the course. One of the most important factor for me that I gained from the course was the things that I didn’t have any clue about….things I’d never considered in detail before but that are important for anyone to know.
For example, each day flew by, even though it included 5 or 6 hours talking about and doing exercises to learn about business start up laws and insurance; there was a day with bankers who came to talk about funding. We learned about the different types of taxes (how you need to apply for a GST number to be able to claim back all your GST on purchases for your business), We learned about different suppliers and break-even costs…, the list of necessary knowledge goes on and on!
And maybe more importantly, I learned so much about the advantages that Aboriginal people have in starting/expanding businesses, and the perks other companies can get by hiring us or partnering with us…
I am sure glad that I am an Aboriginal Youth starting my business now!
I want to take this course again – and I’ll be telling all my friends about it!
I would definitely want to re-take BEST because I felt safe and comfortable with the easy going atmosphere, and not to mention the amazing instructors! There were special guests and prizes for class
participation which made class extra fun and much more enjoyable! And now that I’m getting my finances in order to get ready to start my own business, I realize some of the stuff I didn’t get the first time will apply to me now – and I’ll be able to plan more to take advantage of the free business coaching that comes with the class. Yes, FREE business coaching – personal support from the instructors and many of the guest speakers is a huge perk.
How did I apply the skills I learned to my life?
This is the first time I can say this about ANY course – I shared everything that I learned others around me all the time.
Whether it was sharing new knowledge about insurance with our team at KAYA or reminding my artist friends about the importance of creating (and printing and carrying around) copies of their own bio and artist statement, I share lots with others. I want people to know about the BEST program - and how empowering it is to begin to figure out that you can do this, too. Because of the great instructors (
Flavio,
Kristin and
Danielle) and the BEST training manual/book, I tell my friends and co-workers that the knowledge I’ve gained is within their reach, too… just take the next BEST course
I’ve got to build on my strengths, but I also learned I’ve got to ask for help, look for a mentor, and be aware of my ‘weaknesses’ that could hold me back if I don’t prepare for them. I like to share what I know because the things that I have learned can help you out in so many ways. I’m way more confident about starting my business.
So much of what I learned can really help with success on your journey, too - whether that’s for your own business, at work, at school or at home - find a program like best to keep learning, too.
Success is BEST shared!
The graduating class from NWCJA course shared successes with the Aboriginal BEST program and their final jewelry projects in a three-week exhibit at a local gallery.
The NWCJA graduates’ pieces were on display at the Lattimer Gallery from May 23rd to June 13th, 2009 in the Coast Salish Territory of Vancouver, BC.
We send a big thank you to the Lattimer Gallery at 1590 W. 2nd Avenue for supporting our local artists. Visit www.LattimerGallery.com
And, Dan Wallace helped the NWCJA grads create a stunning book of their work…it’s on sale through the Native Education College library (285 E. 5
th Avenue, in Vancouver) It’d make for an inspiring gift for Christmas or your own budding artist!
Register now for upcoming fall 2009 sessions of Aboriginal BEST
If you want to learn more about the Aboriginal BEST program, visit the website below, or contact the main instructor for the Lower Mainland region, Flavio Caron. Reach him by email by phone at 604-837-0431 or
flavio@aboriginaldirections.com .
Get your name on the list so that if BEST starts again this fall you’ll be notified. We’d like to have a specific one running at KAYA for all of the up-and-coming young artists who’d benefit from all the lessons and mentoring…and it will definitely be a part of the next Aboriginal Youth Media Team ‘earn and learn’ project co-hosted by Spiritlink Communications and KAYA this fall.
Whatever you do, do your BEST to share skills and knowledge with others! See
www.aboriginalBEST.com for details about past and upcoming programs!
Peace,
Alice Walkus, AYM Team member
Visit these websites for more info about
Tsimshian Master Carver Henry Green -
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Henry-Green-Master-Carver/7093058013
The Lattimer Gallery
- www.LattimerGallery.com
The Native Education College –
www.necvancouver.org
RedWAY BC News -
www.imninc.com/spiritlink
The Aboriginal BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training) Program –
www.aboriginalbest.com
