Program Partners

 
The I-ACE Program is made possible through the collaborative efforts between its partners including, TRICORP, the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, industry, representatives from Indigenous communities, and government.
The Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria provides personalized entrepreneurial education to the community through the innovative curriculum and experienced instructors to ensure students receive the knowledge and experience needed to start and operate their own business.
 
The Tribal Resource Investment Corporation (TRICORP) provides a wide range of financial services to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northwestern British Columbia.
 
First Nations Technology Council is an Indigenous not-for-profit working to ensure that Indigenous individuals have the tools, education, and support to thrive in the digital age. They are mandated by Indigenous people in British Columbia to advance digital and connected technologies.
 
The Government of British Columbia.
 
Bank of Montreal is a Canadian bank that has partnered with many Indigenous communities to help improve access to financial products and service for Indigenous customers on- and off- reserve.
 
Haida Enterprise Corporation was created to manage, grow, and govern the business enterprise of the Haida Nation with the goal of developing a sustainable economy on Haida Gwaii with two specific goals:
1. Generate revenue to attain financial independence 
2. Improve the quality of life for the collective benefit of the Haida people.
 
The Splatsin people reside on Indian reserve lands adjacent to the City of Enderby to the south and across the Shuswap River to the east. The Splatsin are the southernmost tribe of the Shuswap Nation, the largest Interior Salish speaking First Nation in Canada.
 
 
Haida Nation is located in Haida Gwaii
 
 
Okanagan Training & Development (OTDC) provides programs, training, and employment services to Indigenous people in the following six band membership Okanagan Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Upper Simikameen Indian Band, and Lower Simikameen Band. 
 
The Akisqnuk First Nation is a vibrant Ktunaxa Nation Aboriginal community nearly 300 strong, located near Windermere, British Columbia.
 
Coast Mountain College is an accredited post-secondary institution serving the rich and diverse communities of Canada's beautiful Northwest BC region.
 
 
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, in Vancouver, Canada is a world-renowned art and design school with four distinct faculties. They offer leading art, design, and media degree programs, certificate, continuing education courses, graduate studies, and research opportunities for partnerships.
 
 
Heiltsuk Tribal Council is located in Bella Bella, British Columbia.
 
Elected by the community, Skidegate Band Council is the administrative and governing body in Skidegate, which is located on Haida Gwaii.
 
The Little Shuswap Indian Band is located on the Columbia River, one mile north of Invermere.
 
 
The Halalt First Nation is located around the Chemainus River.
 
 
The Tahltan Central Government (TCG) is the administrative governing body of the Tahltan Nation.
 
Elected by the community, Skidegate Band Council is the administrative and governing body in Skidegate, which is located on Haida Gwaii.
 
North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS) is an Aboriginal training organization that operates under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS). The ASETS program provides funding to support the costs of the programs, services, and other activities undertaken to increase the participation of Aboriginal People in the Canadian Labour Market.
 
 
The Neskonlith Indian Band is a First Nations community located in the south-central part of British Columbia.
 
 
The Malahat Nation represents approximately 340 members with two reserve lands located on the western shore of Saanich Inlet, south of the village of Mill Bay, about 40 kilometres north of Victoria.
 
Our Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art brings all nations together in the pursuit of higher education, and sets new standards for aspiring artists. It is the only school of its kind in Canada, focusing on traditional First Nations Pacific Northwest Coast Art.
 
Service Canada is a federal institution that is part of Employment and Social Development.
 
 
Old Massett Village Council in the Haida region.
 
 
Nisga'a Lisims Government represents the Nisga'a Nation and it located on the Nass River.
 
The village of Gingolx (Kincolith) is one of the four Nisga'a villages.
 
The village of Gitlaxt'aamiks is one of the four Nisga'a villages.
 
 
The village of Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City) is one of the four Nisga'a villages.
 
 
The village of Laxgalts'ap (Greenville) is one of the four Nisga'a villages.
 
The Treaty 8 Tribal Association (T8TA) was created to provide advisory services to Treaty 8 First Nations for the purpose of achieving economic prosperity and a healthy environment.
 
Gitxsan Wet'suwet'en Education Society provides education and training to the populations it serves to promote self-reliance and create meaningful employment.
 
 
The Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB) belongs to the Secwepemc Nation. ALIB is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council (SNTC); which consisted of 9 Secwepemc Bands.
 
 

For more than 30 years, Western Economic Diversification Canada has been working to diversify the western economy while improving Western Canadians' quality of life.

 
 
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