Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 17, 2007 The winners of the 7th annual E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition were announced last night at a special Gala ceremony, concluding the 3-day event that attracted over 200 Aboriginal youth from across the country. The business plan competition, organized by BDC, featured 16 weeks of interactive business planning resources, access to mentors online and a chance to meet and network with other students, online, and in person at the Halifax event.This year's event involved a total of 76 teams from 40 schools and over 217 students from across Canada. In addition to presentations by each team, an independent panel of experts judged business displays that included posters, detailed 3D mock-ups, product samples, business cards, promotional videos and laptop demonstrations. "Canada's New Government is investing $135,000 in the 2007 E-Spirit Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on his behalf and on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "This investment will help to increase awareness of entrepreneurship on the part of Aboriginal youth and help them develop their business skills. Working with young people contributes to building a strong, competitive Canada.""The judging panel was impressed with the level of sophistication of participants' entries," said Jean-René Halde, BDC President and CEO. "BDC is proud to be supporting this innovative way to initiate Aboriginal youth to the world of entrepreneurship, and even prouder to see the positive outcome for all participants," he added.E-Spirit 2007 winnersThe Gold Award was presented to Grand Forks Secondary School of Grand Forks, British Columbia. The students are Allanah Kenoras-Schwandt and Kate Russell, coached by Mrs. Anna Groeneveld. Their business project, Ding Dong Delicious, would offer an eco-friendly, web-based delivery service of fresh produce, out-of-season produce and other food items from local and international suppliers. Local individual and commercial customers would make their selection online and obtain their goods in a recyclable container called the "Green Box", delivered in a fuel-efficient vehicle.The Silver Award was presented to R.B. Russell Vocational High School, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winning students are John Woodhouse, Angela Franklin and Amanda Anderson, coached by Mrs. Cora Bell. Their business concept, The North End Youth Program, would provide a safe learning environment for Aboriginal youth from the area, helping them achieve their potential through after-school sport and other educational activities. The service would lower criminality in the neighborhood and ensure youth benefit from a healthier lifestyle.The Bronze Award was given to École Manikanetish, from Sept-Îles, Québec. Students awarded are Jean-Sébastien Vollant, Myriam Vollant and Marie-Claude Grégoire-Vachon. The team was coached by Mrs. Guylaine Turbis. Their winning business idea is an Innu culture education program aimed at youth from the area. The two local communities share a school and sports centre but lack cultural exposure to the Montagnais heritage. The program would focus on teaching sessions led by local Elders. The team has imagined a slogan for the program: "By using the wisdom of our Elders we shall learn the love and respect of our culture"."All E-Spirit participants greatly benefit from this opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship," said E-Spirit Elder Gilbert Sewell. "Students have acquired new business skills and have enjoyed a wonderful networking opportunity," he added. Cash prizes were awarded to the three winning schools in the amount of $2,500 for Gold, $1,500 for Silver and $750 for Bronze. Nine special achievement awards were also presented in addition to the cash prizes.About BDC Aboriginal BankingThe number of Aboriginal entrepreneurs has grown to over 27,000, representing a 30% increase from 1996 to 2001. This growth in self-employment is more than nine times that of the Canadian average. With this increased activity comes the need for a greater variety of consulting and financial services. BDC Aboriginal Banking consists of Aboriginal people who are aware of the specific needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs, and play a leading role in the development and delivery of BDC's customized, long-term, and flexible solutions.The E-Spirit program was developed by BDC and is supported by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).About BDCBDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a complementary role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small business, with a particular focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy.
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For more information on E-Spirit and to interview winners:Eva Boucher-HartlingMedia Relations ManagerBDC(514) 283-7929Contact by email
Government contacts:Liette LavalléeSenior Communications Officer, ACOA 506-851-3142Liette.Lavallee@acoa-apeca.gc.caIndian and Northern Affairs CanadaMedia Relations Unit819-953-1160
