As we integrate, we continue to discover shared beliefs between the three companies – Domtar, Paper Excellence Canada and Resolute. One example is each company’s efforts to build entrepreneurship and business skills in the communities where they operate. This investment affects not only the people taking part in the program, but also in the future community and local economy.
Paper Excellence invests in youth entrepreneurship training on Vancouver Island
The Bears’ Lair Dream Camps is a reality TV series showcasing a three-day camp full of hands-on learning. It’s a great opportunity for Indigenous youth, ages 13 to 18, to gain insights from guest speakers and mentors. Ultimately, it helps them develop the FUNdamental business knowledge needed to prepare them for a future in entrepreneurship.
During the three days, Indigenous youth create a company. First, they choose a company name, design a logo and determine what goods or services they would provide. Then they identify target markets and figure out how they would source products or supplies. Finally, they develop a marketing plan and calculate costs and profits.
The camp showcased local Indigenous businesses, role models, and ways entrepreneurs can follow their passion as they pave their own path. Participating in the program increases youth’s access to human, cultural and technical resources that can guide them on their journey and boost their success.
“Our focus is on Indigenous youth and how they will represent future businesses in British Columbia. We value the opportunity to foster their business training in ways like this — they are led by an accomplished team,” said Lana Wilhelm, PE’s director of Indigenous Relations, who took part in the camp as a coach.
The camps also weave Indigenous values and protocols from the host territory—in this case Cowichan Tribes — throughout the experience to help participants remain connected to their roots.
Domtar partners with SuitUp to increase student career readiness
Domtar recently participated in SuitUp, a nonprofit educational organization, to host 17 high school students at the mill for a special SuitUp competition. The organization’s mission is to increase career readiness for all students through innovative business planning events.
The competition engaged students in various aspects of product development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution for a potential new Domtar product. Four teams of students started their day with a mill tour and then worked with professionals from several Domtar departments to prepare marketing, strategy and design plans for their SuitUp competition entries. Ashdown Schools Superintendent Casey Nichols came by to cheer them on. Through the daylong SuitUp competition, students learned about the business environment and a variety of roles in a corporate setting. Late in the day, they pitched their ideas to a panel of judges.
“The SuitUp/Domtar experience was like no other,” the students said in a message to Domtar. “It taught us many things, such as teamwork, the collaboration and innovation process, and leadership. We learned how to think outside the box. We gained real-world skills that will benefit us in the future. Over all, SuitUp was a wonderful and empowering experience. Our team will continue to apply Domtar’s core values of agility, caring and innovation in our own lives. Thank you, Domtar and SuitUp, for this experience!”
The SuitUp programs empower students to discover their passions through experiential learning opportunities and mentorship alongside corporate volunteers.
Resolute supports Pekuakamiulnuatsh women to develop their entrepreneurial skills
The Tapuetatish “Believe in Yourself” women’s entrepreneurship camp and “My Way” youth entrepreneurship camp were created more than five years ago, and Resolute has been involved in their success from the beginning. The camps allow Indigenous women aged 36 and older and young people aged 18 to 35 from the Mashteuiatsh community to develop their entrepreneurial skills while receiving guidance.
Two days a month, the camps take place in six phases that allow participants to acquire many skills concerning the business model canvas, the ins and outs of financing, and the art of presenting a project convincingly. The participants are supported by Quebec’s Société de Développement Économique Ilnu de Mashteuiatsh (SDEI), the program’s project manager. At the end of the camps, participants make presentations to a jury that selects the winning projects.
Rémi Néron, Human Resources manager at the Saint-Félicien pulp mill, has been involved almost every year since the launch of the camps and represents Resolute on the jury: “What impresses me most is the progress by these future entrepreneurs. The camps give the participants the opportunity to develop all kinds of skills that are useful not only for entrepreneurship but also in their daily lives. Over the years, many have successfully started up their projects, while others have taken a new direction in their lives by finding their first job, returning to the job market or going back to school. When you watch the participants present their projects, you truly experience all their emotions: pride, a desire to excel, courage and determination.”
Year after year, this partnership enables us to contribute to the accomplishments of Pekuakamiulnuatsh women and entrepreneurs of all ages. We’d also like to acknowledge the support and guidance provided by the SDEI team.
