The Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14639/2028
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Item Open Access Mi'kmaw Alternative Energy(Cape Breton University, 2016) Stevens, KateriIn this case, students are introduced to Karlena Johnson, the only First Nation solar energy dealer in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Karlena became passionate about renewable energy in 2004, and in 2005 she realized there was a market segment that would be interested in the same products that she had installed at her home. She began selling them in the local area. After 11 years of running her solar energy business while also working a full-time job, she had found success but still had trouble entering certain markets due to high start-up costs. Karlena was faced with the decision to quit her job and expand her business, or to continue running the business as she had been.Item Open Access Nunatsiavut Group of Companies and Inuit Business Ownership in Newfoundland and Labrador(Cape Breton University, 2017) Bragg, ErinSince 2005, the region of Nunatsiavut has been entirely self-governing thanks to the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. As a result, Nunatsiavut Group of Companies (NGC) has been able to consistently increase revenues over the course of its development, establishing itself as one of the most significant corporations in Newfoundland and Labrador. With companies in the transportation, real estate, logistics, and construction industries, NGC has made an indelible impact on the long term economic expansion and sustainability of Nunatsiavut and the surrounding area.remote camp operations, logistics, and heavy civil. With a mission to create wealth in trust for Nunatsiavut Beneficiaries by owning profitable and sustainable companies, NGC has placed a firm emphasis on maintaining the cultural traditions and economic prosperity of the self-governing Nunatsiavut territory.Item Open Access Wells Craft Supply(Cape Breton University, 2013) Paul, PamelaIn this case, students are introduced to entrepreneurs Lynn and Dawn Wells, who established a craft-based business in Membertou, Nova Scotia in 2012. To differentiate themselves from other craft stores on the reserve, in addition to their own handicrafts, they sell supplies commonly used in the production of First Nation crafts. Situated within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Wells Craft Supply faces stiff competition from major retailers within a 10km radius that also sell craft supplies and, as a result of their size, are able to buy in bulk and offer lower prices. The Wells sisters are seeking strategies to compete and increase their market share, without risking the long-term sustainability of the business.Item Open Access Traditionelle(Cape Breton University, 2013) Boyer, ShawnaIn this case, students are introduced to entrepreneur Amanda Nahanee, who established a small Aboriginal cultural services business called Traditionelle in January 2012. Nahanee is a member of the Squamish Nation; is an actor, model, storyteller, singer, and dancer; and is very knowledgeable about Squamish traditions and culture. Nahanee is seeking strategies to further market her business and promote the variety of cultural services she provides.Item Open Access Fort McKay group of companies(Cape Breton University, 2017) Bragg, ErinAlberta’s Fort McKay Group of Companies (FMGOC) was established in 1986 and has made a name for itself as a top Canadian construction company. The company’s Aboriginal ownership by Fort McKay First Nation has shaped its stance on worker safety, livestock health, and land preservation, contributing to numerous accolades and a growing reputation for quality and conscientiousness. Comprised of three limited partnerships with Fort McKay Strategic Services LP, Fort McKay Logistics LP, and Steep Bank Earth LP, the company seeks to provide an environmentally sound and economically sustainable future for the citizens of Fort McKay First Nation and beyond.Item Open Access Financing the Membertou Professional Centre(Cape Breton University, 2016) Slaman, StephanieIn this case, students are introduced to Mike McIntyre, Chief Financial Officer of Membertou First Nation, as he is faced with the complex challenge of raising financing for a capital project. Following the success of the Membertou Business Centre, which provided commercial space for rent on the reserve, the band decided to erect a second building called the Membertou Professional Centre.Item Open Access Mi'kmaq Women's Resource Centre A(Cape Breton University, 2016) Stevens, KateriIn this case, students are introduced to Heidi Marshall’s senior consultant and director for the Mi’kmaq Women’s Resource Centre located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Heidi is from Membertou, a Mi’kmaw reserve in Nova Scotia located within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). After opening the centre in December 2015 and having much success with grant-writing initiatives, Heidi is deciding how to best allocate $160,000 in funding to achieve the organization’s goals.Item Open Access Financing the Songhees Nation Wellness Centre(Cape Breton University, 2015) Medd, KenIn this case, students are introduced to Christina Clarke, the director of operations for the Songhees Nation in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2011, Christina was responsible for raising $24 million for a Songhees Nation Wellness Centre. After raising $7 million, Christina still had a funding gap. She suggested to the Songhees Chief and Council that their community begin paying sales tax on select items, thereby creating an on-going revenue stream that could secure a bank loan to finance the remaining $17 million. As the tax exemption under the Indian Act is an important right for First Nation peoples, Christina’s recommendation of a First Nations Goods and Services Tax was met with much hesitancy and concern from elected councillors and the Chief – an option that they did not want to recommend to the members of their community. Christina had to decide how to push forward her agenda.Item Open Access Slick's Hair Salon and Boutique(Cape Breton University, 2016) Stevens, KateriIn this case, students are introduced to Rose Marie Basque, owner and manager of Slick’s Smoke Shop and Rosie’s Hair Salon in Eskasoni, Cape Breton. In 2012, Rosie opened a second salon in Membertou, a reserve approximately 40km away from Eskasoni. It has experienced steady growth since its opening. Now focused on attracting new clientele, Rosie must decide whether to invest more money into advertising or a short-term contract to hire a marketer to help increase sales, or if some other strategy would be better.Item Open Access Expanding Nahmah Miigwan Services(Cape Breton University, 2016) Kent, NinaIn this case, students are introduced to Patrick Kent, owner and operator of Nahmah Miigwan Services located in Garden River First Nation, Ontario. Patrick is anticipating expansion within his company and has been contemplating whether and how to proceed by analyzing multiple variables. Market size, market share, and branding information are provided, as well as an overview of services rendered for the past two years and areas in which Patrick sees a growing need for his services.Item Open Access Salmon n' Bannock B(Cape Breton University, 2015) MacLeod, Katie K.In this case, students are introduced to Inez Cook, co-owner of Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro. Inez must decide whether to buy international venison from her retail game supplier. Previously, local venison had been available and it became popular with Salmon n’ Bannock customers. More recently, however, Inez was unable to find a local source. Given that the restaurant was established with a commitment to buying locally, Inez had to decide if she would compromise on this commitment to please her customers.Item Open Access Innu development limited partnership and the Mushuau and Sheshatshiu First Nations(Cape Breton University, 2017) Bragg, ErinItem Open Access Erosion at Malagawatch(Cape Breton University, 2015) Medd, KenIn this case, students are introduced to Annie Johnson, Director of Administration for the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources. She had to determine which of several recommended solutions for an erosion problem should be implemented at Malagawatch Reserve, an area co-managed by five Mi’kmaw communities.Item Open Access Integral geomatics(Cape Breton University, 2015) Medd, KenIn this case, students are introduced to Gary Pardy, co-founder of Integral Geomatics (IG), a GIS start-up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, that won a contract to develop a land classification model. The model rated the sensitivity of streams to change resulting from land use practices. IG’s model compiled layers of government data to produce a digital elevation model that defined watersheds and drainage gradients. The model also included data about susceptibility to erosion, land uses, proximity to streams, and other variables. Each data layer was easy to understand by itself, but the combinations of data produced complex interactions and created enormous quantities of output that had to be interpreted. IG had the expertise for the project, but had underestimated the time required for developing and testing the model, generating sensitivity plots, and interpreting results. If Gary didn’t address the issue quickly, IG would miss the deadline.Item Open Access Manitoba Mukluks(Cape Breton University, 2015) Medd, KenIn this case, students are introduced to Sean McCormick, a Métis entrepreneur from Winnipeg and owner of Manitobah Mukluks. After expanding his mukluks manufacturing business and establishing a successful brand internationally, Sean must decide whether to add a rubber outsole. Such a change could expand his market or put his brand at risk.Item Open Access Mi'kmaq Women's Resource Centre B(Cape Breton University, 2016) Stevens, KateriIn this case, students are introduced to Heidi Marshall, the senior consultant and director for the Mi’kmaq Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC) located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Heidi is from Membertou, a Mi’kmaw reserve in Nova Scotia located within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). As director of MWRC, Heidi is in partnership with the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association. She estimates that a minimum of $500,000 will be required for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. With the future in mind, Heidi must strategize how she will obtain funding and continue the centre’s operations in order to meet the organization’s goals and objectives.Item Open Access Moonlight Works B(Cape Breton University, 2015) MacLeod, Katie K.In this case, students are introduced to Mi’kmaw artist Killa Atencio, who was developing an e-commerce website for her jewellery business Moonlight Works. She had been thinking about launching an Etsy site as well, but after participating in an Etsy pop-up market in Halifax, Killa wondered if Etsy was the right marketplace for her product. She found her business to be an outlier at the pop-up market and did not sell as much product as expected; leading her to wonder if developing an Etsy site was a worthwhile venture.Item Open Access OrigiNative(Cape Breton University, 2016) Stevens, KateriIn this case, students are introduced to entrepreneur Nina Kent and her natural bath and beauty products. The concept for OrigiNative emerged when Nina, a student in the MBA in CED at Cape Breton University, was required to write a business plan in one of her courses. With encouragement from that process, Nina decided to invest her own money into the business to make it a reality. After a year of producing the bath bombs in her kitchen, and enlisting friends to help when she was unable to meet demand, Nina had to decide whether to continue producing the products in her home or to rent production space elsewhere.Item Open Access Authentic Indigenous Arts Initiative(Cape Breton University, 2015) MacLeod, Katie K.In this case, students are introduced to Keith Henry, the CEO of Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) and its board of directors. They have had growing concerns around the quantity of inauthentic Aboriginal art products being sold in the British Columbia tourist gift market and must determine how they will approach the authentication process for Aboriginal art in British Columbia. Based on research conducted by a team of Aboriginal artists, which highlighted different models in use around the world and the challenges associated with them, AtBC must determine whether to adopt a branding program and, if so, what type to adopt.Item Open Access Membertou Museum B(Cape Breton University, 2015) Doucette, Mary BethIn this case, students are introduced to the community of Membertou. In 1999, the chief and council faced criticism from band members asserting they were neglecting culture and identity for community economic initiates. In response, a museum project was suggested. After finding that the proposed facility was not economically feasible, the chief and council decided not to invest in the project. Instead, they invested in an Elders Oral Knowledge Project which collected documents and information that told of the history of Membertou. By 2005, Membertou’s band operations were starting to be profitable, the community was looking into acquiring more land for development, and the local tourism industry was growing. Band members were still asking for facilities to be built that would support cultural activities and display the collected historical materials. In response to their continued interest in a cultural facility and the improved economic conditions, chief and council revisited the notion of a community museum and attempted to find a viable alternative.