REGINA — Twenty young Indigenous youth are getting the chance to understand small business management and entrepreneurship through a week-long camp.
The 2025 Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Camp is being held at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) this week.
Camp coordinator Annabelle Brass said this camp brings Indigenous youth from across the country.
“There's [people from Onion Lake, people near Saskatoon or Winnipeg. I think last year we had people from Newfoundland as well.”
The 20 youth in the camp were selected out of 30 to 40 applicants who applied. Each youth is either in high school or has recently graduated.
Each day, those in the camp learn different skills, including team building, finance, marketing, advertising, and more.
The camp works with sponsors/businesses to help youth grasp firsthand what it takes to become a business owner, and or entrepreneur.
On the last day, the youth will present their business to a group of judges, similar to the concept of Shark Tank.
Kashtin Blacksioux Asapace is participating in the camp for the second straight year and will be pitching an Indigenous marketing business for Indigenous artists.
“Will have hypothetical ads and a few billboards to help outreach to audiences.”
As a recent high school graduate, Asapace hopes this camp will help him decide his future career path.
“I’m still in the area wanting to do university or do a trade.”
Brass mentioned the camp has allowed youth to decide their career path, and several success stories have come from it.
Youth also get to immerse themselves in fun activities, including mini golf, escape rooms, and more.
More information on the camp can be found here.
