The Wachiay Friendship Centre Society has a new program for women of aboriginal ancestry living in the Comox Valley who are in business, or considering going into business.
The program, funded by Status of Women Canada, is entitled Blueprint for Aboriginal Women Entrepreneurial Success.
The Wachiay Friendship Centre Society is mandated to build a strong community rooted in the philosophy and culture of native peoples.
The program is a combination of four packages :
1. Training workshops and guest speakers, following a proven and timely series of get-togethers where the interaction of attendees will be most welcome. The materials and content, from transferring personal skills to business, right through to business planning, marketing, management, and access to key funding, are currently being fine-tuned.
2. Mentoring, one-on-one, where businesswomen, together with qualified and experienced business mentors, will tackle challenges that aboriginal women in business face, as well as opportunities, and learn how to best work to succeed.
3. Technology delivery. It is anticipated that the program may contain e-training and e-mentoring online, through an interactive and user-friendly website. This will open the program to interested entrepreneurs with travel issues.
4. Network Circles, designed so that entrepreneurs can share their experiences of both successes and challenges, and how they have dealt with issues of common interest and concern to most aboriginal women in business.
鈥淲e are liaising with regional aboriginal and non-aboriginal organizations and groups who can provide valuable input, refer potential attendees to our program, and possibly partner with several delivery aspects of our program,鈥� states Jay Silverberg, Wachiay's co-ordinator of business programs.
鈥淲e are hosting two free information workshops on May 10 at the Centre. The sessions will be 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m.," he adds.
"This invitation is extended to immigrant associations in our community. We want to hear directly from aboriginal businesswomen, their needs, challenges and opportunities. We really want the Blueprint for Aboriginal Women Entrepreneurial Success鈥� to respond to those issues.鈥�
Interested parties can contact Jay Silverberg, co-ordinator, Business Programs, Wachiay Friendship Centre, 1625B McPhee Ave., Courtenay. The telephone number is 250-338-7793 and his e-mail address is silverberg88@gmail.com.
鈥� Wachiay Friendship Centre
