Martin Family Initiative
Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP)
Program Summary
AYEP is delivered in Saskatchewan by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. AYEP’s curriculum is based on the requirements of provincial business courses supplemented with First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit content, including case studies and examples of successful Canadian Indigenous business leaders.
AYEP seeks to help Indigenous youth develop the attitudes and skills necessary to achieve success in secondary school, the workplace, during post-secondary education or training, and in daily life. The curriculum teaches students to develop entrepreneurial opportunities that can lead to business ownership. They gain an introduction to business that will help them prepare for the working world regardless of their choice of career.
Using innovative hands-on activities, guest speakers, and business mentors, Indigenous students learn how to create a product-based and service-driven business and about the services provided by banks and credit unions.
Students are mentored by established business people, including Indigenous business owners, throughout the business planning process.
The program is closely monitored by MFI while it is operating and success is determined through both quantitative and qualitative measures.
Eligible Recipients
Participating Schools