Students from Espanola High School received a special achievement award for environmental awareness at the E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition in Moncton on May 19.
The student team was one of 15 to be recognized for their business idea, the E-Recycling Corporation, at the 11th annual business plan competition, which is sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
"BDC is proud to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of young Aboriginal entrepreneurs," said Wilson Neapew, national director for the Aboriginal Banking Unit at BDC, in a press release. "The E-Spirit youth business plan competition provides the participants with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity. Every year we are impressed by the quality of the projects submitted and we are happy to see the students presenting business ideas that respond to the needs of their local communities."
Other Northern schools that competed in the challenge include Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute from M'Chigeeng, St. Mary's College from Sault Ste. Marie and Wasse-Abin High School from Wikwemikong. Saugeen District Secondary School of Port Elgin also participated.
Aimed at Aboriginal students in Grades 10 to 12, E-Spirit is an Internet-based business plan competition that features 16 weeks of interactive business planning resources, including online mentorship. E-Spirit also enables participants to meet and network with other students online and in person during the trade show, presentation rounds and gala awards.
This year's event involved 79 teams, 37 schools and 201 Aboriginal students throughout Canada. An independent panel of experts judged group presentations and business displays that included laptop demonstrations, product samples, promotional videos, posters and 3D mock-ups.
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