Aboriginal women becoming their own bosses

Shirley Prieston used to dream of one day operating her own business, but she didn’t think it was possible.

Prieston’s goal was to set up a vocational rehabilitation consulting service for aboriginal people living with disabilities. Working as a rehab case consultant for MPI and being an aboriginal herself, she saw the need for such a service.

The one thing that stood in her way was a lack of formal business training. Upon discovering the Self-Employment Program for Aboriginal Women (SEPAW), that is no longer a concern.

“While I was on maternity leave I had the opportunity to pursue the self-employment program and they helped me write a business plan with all the steps you need, such as marketing and searching out all the legal requirements,” Prieston said.

As a result of the 15-week course, which is offered free of charge to aboriginal women 18-and-over, Prieston is now gearing up for the launch of her own business, Living Spirits Consulting Service.

A winner of the 2007 Aboriginal Business Plan Competition, she credits her success to taking the self-employment course and encourages other aboriginal women to do the same.

“Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams,” Prieston said. “It may feel far-fetched and out there, but once you go through the program it seems more tangible, that it is possible and you can do it,” Prieston said.

The SEPAW program is run out of the Ka Ni Kanichihk building at 455 McDermot Avenue.

Sharon McIlraith, a small business skills coach who runs the program, says the intent of the SEPAW program is to combine aboriginal culture and historic learning with business skills and economic development.

“We provide an environment which promotes learning in a culturally ethnic way, which is what makes us unique from other programs,” McIlraith said.

“We will cover such things as the seven natural ways of healing, de-colonization, residential schools, as well as smudging and sharing circles. It is a real mix with a strong aboriginal base.”

The course is broken into two parts. The first phase looks at life skills that are based on Dr. Martin Brokenlegs’ Circle of Courage teachings. The second phase takes into account small business management skills, such as managing a personal budget and plotting a consecutive summary.

McIlraith says she starts by teaching the women the basics and works with them step-by-step all the way through.

“We provide all our students with one-on-one business consulting and after the class is over we will stay with them for a full year to help them get going and launch their business,” McIlraith said.

McIlraith says she is encouraged by the results of the program. Five women who were enrolled in SEPAW took part in last year’s Aboriginal Business Plan Competition.

However, there is still room for the program to grow and McIlraith says she would like to see more woman between the ages of 18-30 get involved.

“Our biggest challenge has always been finding youth. It seems that they are not thinking about the possibility of self-employment because they see it as a big, scary thing,” McIlraith said.

“A business store with a sign is not the only way of self-employment. Perhaps they invented something and they want to promote it or they are crafts people and they are selling their wears at craft sales. We can help with that.”

The next information session for the SEPAW program is May 21 from 1:30 to 3 pm. To reserve a seat call 953-5820, ext. 26.