Aboriginal high school students gathering in Regina to share their E-Spirit Business Plans
BDC press release ...
Over 200 Aboriginal Student Entrepreneurs from Across the Country Get Ready to Showcase their Best Projects in Regina for the 2008 E-Spirit Business Plan Competition
BDC's E-Spirit promotes entrepreneurship to Aboriginal youth in Canada
REGINA, May 6 - Over 200 Aboriginal high school students will be meeting in Regina for BDC's annual E-Spirit National Aboriginal youth business plan competition from May 12 to 14. The grade 10 to 12 students come from as far as Hazelton, British Columbia in the West; Arviat, Nunavut in the North and Postville, Labrador in the East.
For the 16 weeks leading up to the competition, students worked hard to develop their business plans. Three teams will be awarded the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes at the E-Spirit Awards ceremony. Over the past eight years, E-Spirit has exposed more than 3,500 Aboriginal youth to the potential of entrepreneurship and the Internet at the Aboriginal community grass roots level.
Media opportunities include:
1. E-Spirit Trade Show
Media are welcome to visit the trade show to meet the students who have developed business plans for a variety of products and services that range from innovative environmental solutions to lifestyle services.
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Centre for Kinesiology & Health Studies (CK), University of Regina Campus, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK
2. BDC E-Spirit Awards Gala
Media are invited to attend the Grand Entry where Plains Cree dancers dressed in full regalia will welcome the attendees in a ceremony high in color and rich in tradition.
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. Honor song and Elder blessing
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Grand Entry and Entertainment by Great Plains Production Dancers and hip hop duo Eekwol & Mils
8:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Presentation of E-Spirit awards
9:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. D.J. Dance Party
Dinner will be served from 6:45 to 8:15.
Location: Conexus Arts Centre, Convention Lobby and Hall 200A Lakeshore Drive, Regina, SK
Interviews may be arranged with:
a) Aboriginal students and teachers from across Canada
b) Wilson Neapew, National Director, Aboriginal Banking, BDC
c) Bob Kayseas, Department Head of School of Business and Public Administration First Nation University of Canada
d) Kristin Frances and Robert Lavallee, E-Spirit Alumni
About BDC and the E-Spirit Initiative
BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC actively supports the development and growth of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses through its complementary financing, investment and consulting solutions.
For more information on E-Spirit, visit www.bdc.ca/espirit
For further information: Johanne Bissonnette, BDC Media Relations Manager, (514) 283-7929, johanne.bissonnette@bdc.ca