Indigenous Intern Leadership Program – Vancouver Island University

Background of the organization 

In September 2016, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and the Business Council of BC committed to work together to eliminate societal gaps between First Nations and non-First Nations, and to advance reconciliation through sustainable economic development. This created the Champions Table, a group composed of 11 First Nations leaders and 11 private sector leaders. From this emerged the creation of the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program. This program is a joint initiative of the Business Council of British Columbia, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and Vancouver Island University. Indigenous graduates from 25 post-secondary institutions in British Columbia engage in meaningful work through internship positions that match their skills and professional interests. 

Project description 

Funding will contribute to Vancouver Island University expanding the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program to two new provinces. They will set up a similar model of co-governance that sees post-secondary institutions, provincial business organizations and Indigenous organizations run the program collaboratively in their provinces. Robust evaluation of the program is also planned.