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Program Information
Photo by Rita Taylor
Dates
Registration deadline: October 07, 2025
Program dates: November 16 – November 21, 2025
Overview
Creating effective policy is key to achieving successful, sustainable, and self-determined economic activity. Indigenous Business and Economic Development explores essential governance issues, such as establishing culturally appropriate institutions and the role of Indigenous leaders in shaping economic policy for self-determined development.
After laying this foundation, this program will focus on the practical aspects of working with Indigenous communities, Indigenous-owned businesses, and Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Description
This program will use case studies and best practices in Indigenous economic policy and governance to explore all aspects of community economic development and business planning.
With guidance from the Elder, participants will share traditional and spiritual wisdom while connecting with the land and cultural teachings.
Program highlights
- Taking steps towards Nation-building: asserting self-governance, building institutions, setting strategic direction, and taking action through strong leadership.
- Review of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.
- Nation-building: tools, policies, and leadership for Indigenous governments.
- Rethinking Indigenous economic policy; insights and implications.
- Separating politics and business – a community necessity.
- Community economics model from an Indigenous perspective.
- Financing Indigenous economic ventures.
Eligibility
This program is ideal for Indigenous leaders, administrators, and service providers interested in community economic development and business planning including
- executive, legislative, and programmatic leaders responsible for the political and economic future of their Nation.
- leaders at the forefront of developing local economies by supporting businesses and driving economic growth in their communities, organizations, and commercial enterprises.
Priority is give to Indigenous learners and those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
Applicant must be 18+ at the start of the program.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply.
Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance and Management Excellence
Indigenous leadership programs are strategically focused on building your capacity to successfully assist your community and organization. Individuals who successfully complete a program from each of the seven wise practice elements will earn a Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence.
Itinerary
Participants are required to dedicate approximately 40 hours during the week to this program.
Sample Itinerary - subject to change
Each day will open with a smudge and teachings and close with a daily wrap-up.
Sunday
- Registration
- Welcome and program overview
Monday
- Foundations of Harvard Project
- Why leadership & institutions matter
- Why culture matters
- Group work: mapping & asserting culture
Tuesday
- Why sovereignty matters
- Group work: strategies for food security & food sovereignty
- Moss bag story & project
- Moss bag activity
Wednesday
- Tools for community & individual tourism development
- Group work: tourism case study
- Soul of mistake
- Group work: youth entrepreneurial tourism project
Thursday
- Hillcore Group's nation building model
- Group Work: building an effective industry relations strategy
- Guest Speakers
Friday
- The road ahead - mapping lessons learned
- Participant sharing circle
Faculty
Harley Crowshoe
Harley Crowshoe’s ancestry is Blackfoot and originates from the Piikani Nation Reserve in southern Alberta.
Harley has extensive Aboriginal Policing experience with First Nations people in Alberta and British Columbia. Throughout his RCMP career he held supervisory positions as a Detachment Commander in “K” and “E” Divisions, as well as investigating serious crimes. After more than 20 years of service with the RCMP he retired at the rank of Staff Sgt.
Harley had the opportunity to participate in a major project that developed and built Canada’s second diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. While employed by Diavik Diamond Mines he developed policies and programs for Site Security.
Harley joined the Aboriginal Policing Directorate as the Regional Manager, responsible for Alberta and North West Territories. This provided him the opportunity to continue working closely with the First Nations communities in Alberta and NWT.
Harley has worked for AHS for many years, first serving the AHS Wisdom Council as chair; then the AHS South Zone as the Indigenous Health Senior Advisor; the AHS South Sector as Indigenous Health Provincial Director; and now continues to support AHS health projects as an Indigenous Health Advisor.
He is currently working parttime with Piikani Health Service as a Accreditation Coordinator.
Harley is a board member sitting on the Windy Slopes Health Foundation and Fresh Start Recovery Centre and recently he has been appointed on the National Advisory Committee on Missing Children and Unmarked Graves.
Harley is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation, and a 25 year service award from Public Service Canada. Harley was presented a soapstone sculpture and sacred eagle feather in recognition of contributions to the First Nations people of Canada and was inducted as an Honorary Chief of the Piikani (Blackfoot) Nation - including traditional transfer of a sacred eagle headdress
Elder
Trent Blind
Trent is currently the Chairman of the Ermineskin Cree Nation group of companies and Senior Advisor and Executive Management Consultant to ATCO Structures & Logistics Ltd., ATCO Sustainable Communities Inc., Simplex Grinnell, and Willow Industries. In this capacity Trent is assisting each company with the development of their Aboriginal Relations and business development strategies.
Trent is also the founding President & CEO of George Gordon First Nation Holdings Inc. – former parent business development company for the George Gordon First Nation. Under the direction of a seven member board, Trent recently completed a two year contract and was responsible for implementing the company’s strategic initiatives that included a large scale wind farm assessment, oil and gas exploration and the negotiation and signing of a variety of industry partnerships and joint ventures designed to maximize the socio-economic opportunities associated with potash projects in the surrounding region. As a consequence of these efforts, the company’s joint venture with ATCO Structures & Logistics (ASL) has led to the largest Canadian contract ever awarded to ASL in its 65-year history.
In past years, Trent completed a four-year contract as the Chief Financial Officer for the Siksika Nation’s economic and business development arm. Under the direction of the President & Chief Executive Officer, Trent was responsible for the day to day financial affairs, compliance and reporting requirements of the Siksika Nation group of companies, which included nine diversified companies involving Oil and Gas Development, Real Estate Holdings, Environmental Services, Agri-Business Development, Conference Centre Management, Vacation Resort Development, and Property Management. His responsibilities also included reporting to and assisting the President and the board of directors in making investment and financial decisions and providing valuable input in the strategic business initiatives of the group of companies. During his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, the group of companies’ assets grew from $14 million in market value to in excess of $100 million.
In addition, Trent has served as a Senior Advisor to the Western Cree Tribal Council in representing their socio-economic and business development interests in the proposed $6 billion Enbridge Gateway Pipeline Project. He has in past years also served as the Chief Negotiator and Senior Advisor to the Akaitcho Treaty 8 Chiefs in representing their socio-economic and business development interests in the Ekatai Diamond Mine owned and operated by BHP Billiton - the largest resource and mining company in the world.
Prior to his appointment to these various advisory positions, Trent served Aboriginal communities throughout the Province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories in his role as one of the founding Senior Managers of Aboriginal Banking with the Bank of Montreal. He promoted employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal peoples at all levels within the Bank and developed key strategic marketing initiatives and business development opportunities with numerous Aboriginal communities. During his eight years with the Bank of Montreal he was involved with the Bank’s Aboriginal Banking initiatives reporting to the National Senior Vice President responsible for Aboriginal Banking. He also reported to the Senior Vice President responsible for the Alberta and Northwest Territories Division. Throughout his tenure Trent promoted the creation of Bank of Montreal branches in Deline, NWT and the Siksika, Tsuu T’ina and Cowessess First Nations. He also assisted in developing and promoting several individual programs for personal and commercial loans and other financial services offered by the Bank to Aboriginal people. Trent was involved in all aspects of retail, commercial and corporate banking services and he played a strategic role in guiding the Bank of Montreal in establishing a very significant portfolio with various Aboriginal communities throughout Canada.
Trent has also held positions with a few federal government departments including Immigration Canada, Revenue Canada and Indian & Northern Affairs Canada. Throughout his career, he has focussed upon the needs of “his people”. He is particularly interested in promoting self-determination among Aboriginal peoples and through each of his working positions he has endeavoured to advance this goal. Whilst working in Saskatchewan he helped several First Nations achieve balanced budgets during his time with Indian & Northern Affairs Canada and believes that his past position with the Bank of Montreal has proven beneficial for both the Bank and Aboriginal peoples.
Over the years Trent has participated in a number of community events and has made several presentations to numerous organizations in raising the public’s awareness of Aboriginal issues. He served as a faculty leader and facilitator at the Banff Centre for Management’s Aboriginal Governance and Accountability Program from 1996 to 2002. As well, he has been a director with a number of local, regional and national Aboriginal organizations including the Canadian Aboriginal Science and Technology Society, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s Aboriginal Opportunities Committee, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (Alberta Chapter), Petromin Resources Ltd., a public company listed on the TSE Venture Exchange and was past chairman of the Metis Economic Development Corporation. He is currently the chairman of Treaty 7 Economic Development Corporation’s Investment Committee. Trent is the President and Principal owner of Aboriginal Financial Services Corporation, a senior advisory and executive consulting services firm.
Trent is a Treaty Indian from the Gordon’s First Nation in the Treaty 4 area of southern Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Alberta and the University of Regina and has earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts, Economics (Special) from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina. He majored in economics and finance and is a CMA Associate having completed the pre-requisites for a Certified Management Accounting (CMA) designation.
Faculty
What's Included
Accommodation
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Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other participants on campus and focus on your projects while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Meal Plan
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Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Full meal plan is equivalent to $73 credit per day, equivalent to three meals at our Buffet service.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Join in group seminars/workshops.
Banff Centre Amenities
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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness equipment.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$35 application is included in the program fee.
Funding
Limited funding is available to help some participants with program fees.
- Funding is available for Indigenous participants or those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Requests are reviewed based on submission of the Financial Assistance form available in the Student Portal.
- Funding amounts vary and do not cover 100% of the program fee. Participants should expect to pay a minimum of 25% of the program fee.
- Participants may be eligible for a maximum of two programs per year.
Information about funding opportunities for Leadership programs can be found here.
Steps to follow
- Select "Yes" to "I would like to apply for financial assistance" during registration.
- Log into your Student Portal to complete your funding application form within 48 hours of submitting your initial registration.
- Timely submission of the funding form is required in order to be considered.
Cancellations
All participants must pay a confirmation fee of $262.50 within fourteen days of registration. We reserve the right to cancel registrants if payment and confirmation is not received within fourteen days.
Participants who are awarded financial aid who cancel their registration within the cancellation policy deadlines may be ineligible to receive Banff Centre funding for a period of 12 months.
Registrations are non-transferable and cannot be applied to different programs or used on behalf of other registrants.
More information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and all financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormIf you have requested financial assistance, please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal within 48 hours of registration, to submit your funding request form.
If you do not require financial assistance, please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal and complete confirmation of attendance and full payment as soon as possible, but no later than 7 days from completing step 1.
Note that non-completion within the timelines stated may result in your place being offered to the waitlist.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.