Pictured above from left to right: 1. Paul Natrall, Squamish 2. Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, Squamish 3. Lloyd Attig, Plains Cree 4. Jeska Slater, Nehiyah iskwew (Cree woman) 5. Quanah Style, Cree, Moberly First Nation
RADIUS SFU’s RBC First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program (FPEAP) has partnered with Raven Indigenous Capital Partners (RICP) to co-design and deliver the first-ever national accelerator program for Indigenous entrepreneurship.
FPEAP and RICP have committed to a deep partnership, one that centres the shared value of holding up the wisdom of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Both parties have taken time to be in relationship with one another before embarking on programming; both as a form of protocol and to decolonise the system and spaces in which we work.
Launching fall 2020, The Fireweed Fellowship is a 10-month, cohort-style program and will welcome approximately 20 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada. The Fellowship is co-created with, and informed by, knowledge keepers, business leaders and an Indigenous program team. Programming will examine alternative economic models and perspectives and will be guided by the inherent wisdom and deep knowing of our ancestors. We will explore the individual and cultural value of entrepreneurship with a decolonial lens, and celebrate the strength of Indigenous world-views.
About RADIUS SFU and the First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program (FPEAP)
RADIUS is a social innovation hub based out of Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. The First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program is a ten-year collaboration between Simon Fraser University and the RBC Foundation to support entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities through deep partnership with Indigenous led organizations.
About Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners (RICP) was established in 2017 and remains the only Indigenous owned financial intermediary across Turtle Island. It’s vision is to revive a strong Indigenous economy by directly addressing the barriers Indigenous entrepreneurs face. RICP provides Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital and culturally grounded skills training and capacity building.
Applications are now open for The Fireweed Fellowship, visit: www.fireweedfellowship.com to apply.