Please Click Here To Apply Applications are open to all Canadian First Nations, Inuit, or Métis ages 16+    Where: Online via Zoom When: Program Start April 6th, 2026! Monday-Friday 28 weeks. What: ONLINE Indigenous Friends Association (IFA) IndigiTECH Cohort 8 In Partnership With CCAE Indigenous Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) Program. 100% online 28-week program, Monday-Friday Project-based learning Nutrition, childcare support 1-1 mentorship 12-week internship connection opportunities FREE digital art pad & laptop, which becomes yours upon successful program completion CCAE BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training) is the only entrepreneurship program of its kind in Canada, in operation for over 25 years! The BEST Program has helped over 5,000 Indigenous participants start successful new businesses and achieve greater levels of professional, personal, and entrepreneurial success! BEST benefits people in all stages of business development who want to turn their dreams into a reality. Some people are looking for a part-time business to increase their income, others have a big idea and need access to tools to make it work, and some are eager to write a plan that will help them get the funding they need to grow their venture. TOPICS INCLUDE: 101 Business Ideas for Indigenous Entrepreneurs |  Technology to Enhance Your Business |  Polishing Your Idea |  Building Your Business Plan |  Marketing |  Financing and Tax |  Assessing Your Idea |  Market Research |  Operations Strategy |  Operating Challenges |  E-business: "How to make sales online" |  Financial Literacy |  BEST Business Technology for You |  Hiring the BEST |  Basic Bookkeeping |  Funding & Sales Presentations PROGRAM INCLUDES: Business coaching |  Ongoing mentoring |  Help to start and grow your business |  Canadian Indigenous guest speakers CCAE Indigenous Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) Program

Please Click Here to Apply Applications are open to all Indigenous People (Status, Non-status, Métis and Inuit). The application Deadline is January 26th, 2026, at 5 pm (or until the program is filled).   There are only 70 spots available. After we receive your application, we will contact you within 7 business days to provide your letter of acceptance and confirm your participation. Full Program Details Below:    Where: ONLINE Via Zoom When:   Class Schedule: 13 Classes 6:00 p.m. To 9:30 p.m.   (Pacific Standard Time), on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, February 3rd to March 3rd, 2026. Dates:  February 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, 26th and March 3rd 2026. Participants must be available to attend at least 75% of the classes. Equipment needs - The following equipment is required: A Windows (PC) or Mac Computer that is less than 6 years old. (Tablets, Smart Phones, Chromebooks will not work) Working Webcam/Microphone, Internal or External. Stable Internet/Wifi access If you do not have access to the above equipment, we recommend applying for our upcoming In-Person Cohort For more information or if you require assistance completing the application, please contact:  Sts'its'áp'new̓as Employment & Future Skills Nexw7áýstwaý Training & Trades Centre: | Office: 604-980-7946 | Email:  tradescentre@squamish.net What:  Aboriginal BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training) is the only entrepreneurship program of its kind in Canada, in operation for over 25 years! The BEST Program has helped over 5,000 Indigenous participants start successful new businesses and achieve greater levels of professional, personal, and entrepreneurial success! BEST benefits people in all stages of business development who want to turn their dreams into a reality. Some people are looking for a part-time business to increase their income, others have a big idea and need access to tools to make it work, and some are eager to write a plan that will help them get the funding they need to grow their venture. TOPICS INCLUDE: 101 Business Ideas for Indigenous Entrepreneurs |  Technology to Enhance Your Business |  Polishing Your Idea |  Building Your Business Plan |  Marketing |  Financing and Tax |  Assessing Your Idea |  Market Research |  Operations Strategy |  Operating Challenges |  E-business: "How to make sales online" |  Financial Literacy |  BEST Business Technology for You |  Hiring the BEST |  Basic Bookkeeping |  Funding & Sales Presentations PROGRAM INCLUDES: Business coaching |  Ongoing mentoring |  Help to start and grow your business |  Canadian Indigenous guest speakers

Since 2003 and without falter through the pandemic, our Aboriginal (BEST) Business and Entrepreneurship skills training program has been providing opportunities for the Canadian Indigenous communities to explore entrepreneurial aspirations by providing business programming, website development, advisory services, mentorship support, technology access and training, online marketing tools, community event space, connections to business networks and much more! Bring BEST to Your Community Bring BEST to Your Community Please complete the form below so we can gain an understanding of your community/organization's interests, and a member of our team will get back to you within one business day. If you have any difficulty completing the form or would prefer to chat over the phone, please get in touch with us at 1-226-243-5635, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you. Full Name? * Email Address? * Phone Number? * Band/Groups/Company/Organizations Name? Name of Affiliated First Nations, Métis and or Inuit Community? (If Applicable) Approximate Community Population? Or Number of Annual Community Members Served? Less then 100 100-1,000 1,000-2,500 2,500-10,000 10,000+ Other Would You Like This Training Program To Be Delivered In-Person, Online, or Hybrid? In-Person Online Hybrid To Be Determined Other Ideal Start Date of Your Requested Training? (Leave Blank If To Be Determined) Year Month Month Day Approximately how many people will attend this training? 1-5 5-30 30-50 50-100 100-250 250+ To Be Determined Other What level of training do you feel is appropriate for your group Beginner Intermediate Advanced To Be Determined Other Any other notes you would like to share? Submit

a2ecfbca-cae7-40a9-bffc-632944d09fdb KISS THE BRIDE Custom Wedding and Grad As a 2005 graduate of the Helen Lafaux School of Fashion Design in Vancouver, Andrea Hughes had been putting together her accumulated knowledge and experience, gleaned from years of working in the film industry, for her idea of a full-service bridal shop. The answer for the Castlegar resident came in the form of the Bruce Lacroix and the 2008 Aboriginal BEST program in Nelson. “I just wanted to get inspired to get it all done. This course gave me the push to do it.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

154c69fd-caf7-4a91-a7c9-bb505ee9b81d Haida Gwaii Art Shop Yvette Carol Adams is a Haida from the Tsâ aahl Laanas clan and took part in Aboriginal BEST on Haida Gwaii in 2011. “I create and design my own work: pendants made of yellow cedar, red cedar, yew wood, devils club, alder, beads from the same kind of wood as the pendants, earrings, red cedar hats, yellow cedar hats, regalia, cedar roses, prints, and bentwood boxes. “I intend to make a living off of my work, to be the best that I can be, and learn as much as I can before my time comes. In the Haida language there isn’t a word for ‘I can’t.’ I always strive to create a piece I would be proud of, no matter how much you think you know, there is always more to be learned. I am currently working out of my home, and I’m very happy that I finally have my web site up and running, the next step is to openan actual gallery.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community