Building Cowichan Pathways: A Community Entrepreneurship Strategy

In this SSHRC-funded project, Cowichan Tribes and Dr. Tasha Brooks will collaborate to analyze detailed departmental expenditure records to help Nations identify business opportunities.

Indigenous nations across Canada spend significant amounts yearly on goods and services to support their departments and community programs. These purchases are often made from businesses outside the Nation, which means local dollars do not circulate within the community. At the same time, many Indigenous people are interested in starting businesses but face barriers, including limited access to financing, uncertainty about what types of businesses will succeed, and a lack of tailored support. This project aims to close that gap by using departmental spending patterns to help Nations identify practical pathways to entrepreneurship.

Cowichan Tribes and Dr. Tasha Brooks from Royal Roads University will collaborate to analyze detailed expenditure records from all major departments and programs. The team will categorize spending by where it happens, whether with local businesses, Indigenous suppliers, or external vendors. By identifying areas where money leaves the community, the project will pinpoint business opportunities grounded in real needs.

The project will provide two main results. First, Cowichan Tribes will receive a customized entrepreneurship strategy based on its own financial data and departmental priorities. Second, the process developed for this research will be shared as a practical template for other Indigenous Nations who want to support community-driven business growth. Both outcomes are meant to be clear, accessible, and ready to use.

To support community knowledge sharing, the project will finish with a meal and information session for all Cowichan Tribes members. This event will present the findings, celebrate local entrepreneurship, and showcase the opportunities uncovered through the research. The project supports Indigenous self-determination and economic sovereignty, builds local capacity, and creates mentorship opportunities for Indigenous students and emerging scholars. This approach centers on Nation-led entrepreneurship, real community needs, and long-term benefits.