The first school intended for the leaders of the First Nations of Quebec, in collaboration with HEC Montreal, was launched Thursday in the metropolis. The objective: to train the leaders of tomorrow who will become agents of change in the communities.
“Improving socioeconomic conditions requires education,” argued Ken Rock, general manager of the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam Economic Development Corporation. With Manon Jeannotte, consultant in business development and First Nations governance, he has been working on the School of First Nations leaders project for about a year.
“It’s huge for us. It was a dream, ”said Ms. Jeannotte, adding that she and Mr. Rock are both graduates of HEC Montreal.
About fifteen chefs, grand chefs and board chairmen make up the first cohort, which will begin its apprenticeship on December 9, 2021. This school will also be aimed at Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, Ghislain Picard, praised this initiative. “We are seeing more and more businesses appear in our communities, but there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve full participation in the economy,” he said.
The course offered, lasting six months, will focus on the specific needs of these communities, whose management models are specific. Chiefs, HEC professors and indigenous trainers will share their knowledge and field experiences. “The Crees have a lot of experience with Hydro-Québec. The Innu have a lot of experience with mining, ”said Mr. Rock by way of example. “We will bring out the best management and business techniques,” he added.
It was important for the instigators that the school was accessible, both physically and financially. The courses will therefore be held in English and in French, alternately in the premises of HEC Montréal and in certain Aboriginal communities. They can also be followed online. In addition, they will be offered free of charge, thanks to public and private sector partners who were not disclosed at the press conference. Participants will ultimately obtain a university certification.