Aboriginal Youth Sponsorship Program

The Pacific Business & Law Institute (PBLI) is Western Canada’s largest independent conference organization and the leading national conference organization addressing First Nation, Métis and Inuit topics. We advertise our conferences nationally to the leadership of every First Nation, Métis and Inuit organization in the country, the resource sector, consultants and government.

Program Rationale

The purpose of PBLI’s Aboriginal Youth Sponsorship Program is to facilitate the political and business education of Aboriginal youth by offering free registrations to qualified youths to attend our conferences. Many of the Aboriginal people who attend PBLI conferences are elected and non-elected members of First Nation governments and other institutions. The vast majority of Aboriginal people outside of government institutions, however, do not have the financial means to register and attend conferences and forums. Within this group, there are people who would benefit from the education and networking connections provided by educational conferences.

Objectives

The objectives of PBLI’s Aboriginal Youth Sponsorship Program are:

1. To provide an educational and experiential benefit to Aboriginal youth that empowers them to make a difference in their community’s political and economic development
2. To engage Aboriginal youth in the debate and discussion between their First Nation governments, Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments and the private sector
3. To give Aboriginal youth some of the tools necessary to advance political causes both on and off reserves.

Benchmarks

PBLI will interview sponsored individuals after the conference to determine the value that they received by their participation. The key measured benchmark will be the extent to which the student was empowered by the experience to influence the governance and economic development of their respective communities. We will ask the student to describe what he or she learned and how the student plans to make use of this knowledge in the future.

Qualifications

PBLI will allocate one sponsored registration for qualified Aboriginal youth per Aboriginal conference. The selection of successful applicants will be at PBLI’s discretion. Sponsorships will be made available according to the following criteria:

1. Between the ages of 19 to 29
2. A First Nation, Inuit, Métis or of Native Decent
3. Currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution

Sponsorship covers the cost of the conference registration fee and materials distributed at the conference. It does not include the travel, accommodation or other expenses incurred by the successful applicants. Successful applicants will be informed two-three weeks prior to the conference start date.

To apply, please fill out an application online or download our application form.

Call 604-730-2500 or email us for more information.