Indigenous Business Diploma
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The Indigenous Business (IBUS) program is designed to empower learners with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of business within Indigenous contexts, with a particular emphasis on land governance and sustainable economic practices. Guided by Storywork, this two-year diploma program consists of 20 carefully curated courses deeply rooted in Community-led Indigenous Knowledge Systems. By integrating Indigenous teachings with contemporary business principles, this program equips learners with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous Communities in the modern economy.
Throughout the program, learners will engage with a wide range of topics, including land stewardship, Community development, technology, financial management, ethical decision-making, as well as law and governance frameworks. The curriculum emphasizes collaborative learning where learners work closely with Indigenous leaders and Community members to gain practical insights and real-world applications for their studies. This experiential approach fosters a strong sense of cultural identity and responsibility, ensuring graduates are not only skilled business practitioners, but also advocates for economic sovereignty and Community well-being.
By the end of the program, learners will be prepared to contribute to the revitalization and growth of Indigenous economies, implementing innovative strategies that respect cultural values, promote sustainability, and enhance Community resilience. The IBUS Program aims to support the next generation of Indigenous business leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in their Communities and lands.
Admission Requirements
Grade 12 graduation or equivalent with:
- MATH 057 or Foundations in Math 11 or equivalent assessment; and
- ENGL 060 or English 12 or equivalent assessment.
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Diploma Completion Plan
The Indigenous Business program is rooted and guided by the Syilx Four Food Chief story, a foundational narrative that reflects interconnectedness, balance, and the responsibilities of living in harmony with the tmixʷ (all living things). Each semester aligns with one of the Four Food Chiefs — skmʼxist (Black Bear), spʼiƛʼm (Bitterroot), siyaʔ (Saskatoon Berry) and ntytyix (King Salmon) — representing a season and its associated teachings.
The four seasons immerses learners in the wisdom and teachings of the Chiefs by harmonizing their educational journey with the natural rhythms of the land and its cycles. To reframe business, each IBUS course has been thoughtfully structured under the guidance of a specific Chief. Rooted in Traditional Knowledge, cultural protocols, and laws, learners build foundational business knowledge with Chief skmʼxist (Black Bear), embodying preparation and self-awareness. Learners deepen their understanding of interconnectedness with Chief spʼiƛʼm (Bitterroot), cultivating relationships based on reciprocity, respect, and shared responsibility. Guided by Chief siyaʔ (Saskatoon Berry), learners will explore resilience and the transformative power of persistence in times of change. Finally, learners embrace purposeful action and leadership with Chief ntytyix (Salmon), committing to service and stewardship of their Communities and lands. This seasonal progression fosters holistic growth, empowering learners to carry forward the teachings and balance of the Four Food Chiefs in their Communities and business ventures. By integrating these teachings, learners will contribute to balanced business practices, long-term well-being, cultural vitality, and economic sustainability for future generations.
IBUS-100 - Indigenous Business FoundationsIBUS-110 - Indigenous Business CommunicationsIBUS-120 - Finite Mathematics for BusinessIBUS-130 - Community Evaluation and StrategyIBUS-140 - Community Dynamics and Organizational AnalysisIBUS-150 - Microeconomic AnalysisIBUS-160 - Financial Stewardship in Indigenous CommunitiesIBUS-200 - Macroeconomic AnalysisIBUS-210 - Relational MarketingIBUS-220 - Digital Leadership and Community ConnectivityIBUS-230 - Land Stewardship and Economic ChangeIBUS-240 - Indigenous Business Law and EthicsIBUS-250 - Indigenous Governance, Law and the LandIBUS-260 - International Indigenous BusinessIBUS-270 - Economic ReconciliationIBUS-280 - Indigenous Leadership and Management PracticesIBUS-290 - Capstone: Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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Course Listing for this program
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IBUS-100 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Business Foundations
This foundational course examines the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization in the business environment, highlighting how Indigenous Peoples navigate and respond to societal, political, economic, and cultural influences. Learners will engage in foundational explorations of various business disciplines including governance and leadership, technology, economics, land stewardship, finance, communications, and entrepreneurship through fundamental Indigenous perspectives. By co-creating spaces of learning and relationship building with Community leaders and Knowledge Keepers, learners will critically examine the synergies and tensions between colonial and Indigenous business structures, gaining insights that shape contemporary business practices and establish a basis for future learning and action.
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IBUS-110 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Business Communications
Learners explore historical and contemporary Indigenous and colonial theories, styles, and communication practices. This course provides hands-on experience in oral, written, and digital communication within organizational and Community contexts, emphasizing the vital role effective business communication plays in achieving goals, fostering relationships, and leading effectively. Learners will refine their speaking and listening skills with a strong emphasis on respecting and honouring Indigenous pedagogy and Community voices. Through active practice, learners will gain the ability to navigate complex communication landscapes, demonstrating both cultural awareness and professional proficiency.
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IBUS-120 - Credits: 3.000
Finite Mathematics for Business
This course is designed to equip learners with a mathematical foundation and the skills needed to engage in both traditional business contexts and Indigenous economic systems. The curriculum covers essential mathematical concepts directly applicable to real-world business challenges such as linear equations and inequalities, matrices, linear programming, mathematics of finance, set theory, combinatorics, probability, as well as probability distribution and statistics. Learners will gain insight into how these tools can support sustainable economic practices to foster Community-driven development in Indigenous business settings.
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IBUS-130 - Credits: 3.000
Community Evaluation and Strategy
This course equips learners with the tools and frameworks to analyze strengths, priorities, and opportunities within Indigenous Communities, while discussing responsive strategies that honour Indigenous Knowledge Systems. By integrating Indigenous methodologies and Storywork with contemporary analytical tools, this preparatory course emphasizes Community driven approaches. Learners will conduct Community evaluations and needs assessments as foundational activities, examine case studies, engage with Indigenous leaders, and co-create actionable strategies for sustainable economic, cultural, and social development. These activities will prepare learners for deeper, practice-oriented explorations in future courses.
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IBUS-140 - Credits: 3.000
Community Dynamics and Organizational Analysis
Knowledge drawn from various areas of Community dynamics and collective leadership practices will guide the understanding of work, people, and interconnected systems. This course will explore topics such as collective motivation, group harmony, communication practices rooted in Indigenous traditions, inclusive decision-making, designing roles that honour all contributions, cultural values and shared climate, Community-driven change, and shared responsibilities. Human Resource development will be approached as a communal effort, emphasizing the growth and well-being of all members. This course will unfold through storytelling, shared discussions, and the practical application of knowledge within Indigenous Communities.
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IBUS-150 - Credits: 3.000
Microeconomic Analysis
This course examines microeconomic concepts through an Indigenous lens, integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Community values. Topics will include analyzing market systems that reflect Community needs, exploring the balance of supply and demand in sustainable practices, and recognizing the impact of consumer behaviour on cultural values. Learning will explore the influence of government regulations on Indigenous economies, discuss Indigenous business models, and investigate how Communities navigate competition and cooperative enterprises. Additionally, the course will address productive efficiency through traditional practices, analyze income distribution rooted in sharing, and highlight the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in protecting land and resources.
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IBUS-160 - Credits: 3.000
Financial Stewardship in Indigenous Communities
This course emphasizes the construction and interpretation of financial reports relevant to Indigenous Communities and organizations. The goal is to foster an understanding of the concepts, principles, and conventions that underpin financial accounting, while integrating Indigenous perspectives on economic practices and Community values. Learners will analyze financial statements with a focus on incorporating Indigenous values when deconstructing accounting techniques and financial policies. By developing analytical skills to interpret financial information, learners will support Indigenous self-determination, sustainability, and collective economic well-being.
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IBUS-200 - Credits: 3.000
Macroeconomic Analysis
This course explores national income, production, and employment through an Indigenous lens, emphasizing Community well-being and economic sustainability. Learners will examine the economic goals of government and the Bank of Canada by comparing the limitations of monetary and fiscal policy on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and balance of payments within both Indigenous and colonial contexts. Various economic frameworks such as Keynesian policy, monetarism, and supply-side economics will be analyzed for their relevance to Indigenous perspectives.
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IBUS-210 - Credits: 3.000
Relational Marketing
This course introduces learners to the principles and practices of relational marketing by emphasizing trust, reciprocity, and the creation of shared values among all stakeholders. Grounded in traditional learning and relational approaches, the course demonstrates how marketing can be a tool to build meaningful, long-term relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and Community priorities. Learners will examine the differences between transactional and relational models, exploring how cultural and Community contexts shape ethical and effective marketing practices.
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IBUS-220 - Credits: 3.000
Digital Leadership and Community Connectivity
This course examines the intersection of digital technology, leadership, and Community connectivity through an Indigenous lens. Learners will explore how digital tools and systems can strengthen Community relationships, support cultural sovereignty, and enable sustainable decision-making. This course integrates Indigenous perspectives with management information systems to implement technology-driven initiatives that prioritize Community well-being and foster meaningful connections.
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IBUS-230 - Credits: 3.000
Land Stewardship and Economic Change
This course explores the dynamic relationship between land stewardship and economic systems, emphasizing Indigenous approaches to land management, sustainable economic development, and cultural sovereignty. Learners will engage with traditional knowledge and contemporary environmental practices to understand how land stewardship-rooted in reciprocity, respect, and cultural continuity-shapes economic change. Through an examination of key industries such as natural resource management, agriculture, and tourism, learners will investigate innovative economic systems that balance environmental sustainability with Community well-being by utilizing land-based learning, Storywork, and collaborative research.
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IBUS-240 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Business Law and Ethics
This course invites learners to explore foundational legal concepts, principles, and issues integral to Indigenous business practices within a Canadian context. Grounded in Indigenous perspectives, the course emphasizes the intersection of legal frameworks, ethical considerations, Community values, and Traditional Knowledge. Learners will engage in a deep exploration of topics such as contract and business law in Indigenous contexts, including agreements related to the sale of goods, employment contracts, the law of agency, Community-owned enterprises, secured transactions, land stewardship and real property, as well as ethical considerations in business practices.
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IBUS-250 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Governance, Law and the Land
This course explores the interconnectedness of Indigenous governance, law, and the land, emphasizing the inherent rights of Indigenous Communities to self-governance. Learners will examine how these rights are realized through laws rooted in the land, Traditional Knowledge, cultural practices, and ecological stewardship. The course highlights how Indigenous legal systems inform governance structures and decision-making processes. By studying land-based laws and their relationship to Community well-being, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how self-determination is enacted through the stewardship and protection of the land, and how Indigenous laws continue to shape both traditional and contemporary governance models.
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IBUS-260 - Credits: 3.000
International Indigenous Business
This course reimagines international business through an Indigenous nation-to-nation lens, emphasizing how traditional and contemporary Indigenous practices can shape global economic relationships. Learners will explore core concepts such as trade, governance, partnerships, and sustainability grounded in the principles of reciprocity, respect, and cultural sovereignty. The course emphasizes the development of ethical and mutually beneficial business relationships between Indigenous nations guided by Indigenous values, Knowledge Systems, and protocols. Through case studies, relationship building, cross-nation dialogue, and shared initiatives, learners will develop strategies to foster economic growth, cultural preservation, and self-determination.
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IBUS-270 - Credits: 3.000
Economic Reconciliation
This course explores economic reconciliation as a transformative process to address systemic financial, social, and political harms caused by colonialism. Emphasizing the active reclamation and redesign of Indigenous economic systems, learners will explore how Indigenous Communities are forging pathways to economic self-determination, healing, and equity. Topics include historical economic injustices, the development of Indigenous-driven economic frameworks, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems with contemporary economic models. Through case studies, Community-driven initiatives, and collaborative learning, learners will develop strategies to build equitable partnerships, foster sustainable economic opportunities, and advance systemic change that prioritize Community prosperity and sovereignty.
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IBUS-280 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Leadership and Management Practices
This course explores Indigenous leadership and management by highlighting the values, principles, and practices that have guided Indigenous leaders for generations. Learners will examine how leadership rooted in Community, reciprocity, stewardship, and cultural continuity can shape contemporary management practices. Topics include decision-making processes, conflict resolution, governance, and strategic leadership in both Indigenous and broader organizational contexts. Through experiential learning and reflection on traditional leadership models, learners will gain a deeper understanding of how Indigenous leadership fosters strong, resilient Communities and organizations. By integrating cultural values with modern management theories, learners will explore how Indigenous leadership principles contribute to sustainable organizational practices and ethical decision-making.
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IBUS-290 - Credits: 3.000
Capstone: Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Innovation
In this capstone course, learners will integrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies in the Indigenous Business program. The course emphasizes the development of a comprehensive plan for Indigenous entrepreneurship, innovation, or Community development guided by Indigenous values, cultural practices, and the principles of self-determination. Learners will engage in Community-based planning, mentorship and collaborative learning, and the design of sustainable economic strategies that integrate Traditional Knowledge and modern practices. The course culminates in a final presentation based on practical implementation for long-term impact and learners will showcase their projects to Community stakeholders, leaders, and peers.
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