An intense and extensive entrepreneurial training program for women is underway in Hay River.
The two-week course – instructed by Shari Caudron – is being offered by the Native Women's Association of Canada.
Caudron is one of 20 women across the country who have been trained to instruct the program, called Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training (Aboriginal BEST).
It began in Hay River on June 15 and wraps up on June 29.
"These are entrepreneurs, absolutely," she said of her class of four, along with another participant she is tutoring. "They've got businesses in mind. They're taking the steps necessary and facing the reality of what it really costs to start up a business."
One of the students is Kirsten Fischer, who recently became a certified First Aid instructor and has opened a business teaching First Aid, along with a small catering service.
"This class has been very beneficial for me because it's opened my eyes on all these things that I'm doing and I should have done," said Fischer, noting, for example, she has already learned the difference between forming a sole proprietorship and incorporating a business.
Valerie Hardin, another student, is looking at offering counselling services, and said she always wanted to create a business.
"I'm really grateful that it's offered and it's a free course, and there's so much I needed to learn," she said,
Hardin said it is very important for new entrepreneurs to know what they're getting into so they can avoid mistakes and the expense of having to correct them.
Klaudia Mika said she is learning a lot about the financial aspects of setting up a business, like her idea for a foot care service.
Caudron said the course helps student with research.
"Some people that take this course they might want to go into business, but it's also a reality check of do I really want to do this," she said.
The course includes guest speakers on various aspects of creating a business, such as funding, insurance, taxation and accounting.
The course is being offered one time by the Native Women's Association of Canada.
However, Caudron would like to see it continue with the backing of some other organization.
She noted three women from Yellowknife and one from Fort Liard couldn't get government support to attend the program.
"I am very disappointed because I think when you talk to the students here you find out the importance of taking this program," said Caudron.
She also notes there is interest in the program elsewhere in the NWT, and some men also want to take the training.
"But at the end of the day there's nobody out there to fund it," she said. "This one is my only contract with the Native Women's Association of Canada. So I'm only obligated to deliver it once in the territories."
Three of the five women taking the course in Hay River are Indigenous.
The program was developed by the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship in British Columbia.
It is being funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.