Activity: Leadership & An Entrepreneurial Mindset

Preparation

• Research and compile profiles or stories about community leaders from various fields. (Examples are provided in the appendix and attached documents)

• Prepare discussion prompts or guiding questions to help participants analyze and identify the leadership qualities of the assigned community leaders.

Technology Considerations

• In-person implementation: No specific technology considerations.

• Virtual implementation: Ensure access to a video conferencing platform or discussion forum for participants to engage in group discussions. Share relevant digital profiles or stories about community leaders in advance.

Additional Context

• Either this activity or the Mindset Exploration should be completed, but not both in the same session. It would prove to be too repetitive.

• Emphasize the importance of diverse leadership styles and perspectives. Encourage participants to think beyond traditional definitions of leadership and consider leaders from different sectors or domains.

• Acknowledge that leadership looks differently in different contexts, cultures, and communities. Create space for participants to discuss their own understanding of the qualities of a good leader.

Tips for Localization

• Customize the selection of community leaders based on the participants' local context or relevance to their community.

• Consider incorporating local or regional leaders who have made a significant impact in the community.

Debrief Questions

1. What were some of the common traits that you discovered in these leaders? How do these traits align with an entrepreneurial mindset?

2. How do the recognized traits help in both leading effectively and achieving success as an entrepreneur? Can you share examples or stories to illustrate this?

3. What are some of your key takeaways about the connections between leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset?

4. How could someone develop some of these traits to improve their own leadership and entrepreneurial potential?

5. Tell us how you plan to use what you've learned in this discussion to improve your own leadership or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Appendix A: Examples of Local Leaders

Prior to using any of these examples, ensure the descriptions are accurate and up to date. Many local leaders are not included in this list so use examples that would best resonate with your learners.

Yukon

• Chief Jim Boss: Chief of the Southern Tutchone Ta'an Kwäch'än for over 40 years. He was also a successful entrepreneur who sold firewood, fish, and furs to gold-seekers passing through the Whitehorse area during the Klondike Gold Rush.

• Chief Elijah Smith: Influential Indigenous leader and was at the forefront of reconciliation in Canada. He served as Chief of the Kwanlin Band, Founding President of the Yukon Native Brotherhood, Founding Chairman of the Council for Yukon Indians, and Yukon representative to the National Indian Brotherhood. His advocacy and leadership paved the way for Indigenous land rights and cultural preservation in the Yukon.

• Chief Doris Bill: Chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and is a strong voice for community safety, child welfare and intergovernmental collaboration

• Chief Sam Johnston: Well-respected Teslin Tlingit elder with an impressive political history. He served as Chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council for more than a decade, and was also a Member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

• Dana Tizya-Tramm: Elected Chief of the Vuntut Gwich’in First Nation in late 2018, and has become a leading voice on how climate change is impacting the North

• Chief Amanda Leas: Chief of the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council (TKC) and is an Indigenous artist specializing in beaded, wearable art

• Chief Steve Smith is the Chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, but is also a master gingerbread house decorator and has hosted various events in the past to keep spirits bright including children's gingerbread house decorating in each of the communities

• Patricia (Pat) Duncan: Yukon’s first female premier at the head of the territory’s first Liberal government in 2000.

NWT

• Leela Gilday: Singer-songwriter of Dene and Cree descent, known for her powerful vocals and songs that reflect Indigenous culture and experiences. Born and raised in Yellowknife

• Bobby Drygeese: Dene, YKDFN Councillor & Owner of B. Dene Adventures (a tourism company), raised in Dettah.

• Lila Fraser Erasmus: Dene medicine woman, Owner of Naturally Dene and Bows & Arrows.

• Gerri Sharpe: Inuit Artist & Pauktuutit president of Inuit Women. Grew up in Yellowknife.

• Sheldon Minoza: Dene, Past participant - Kick-started his own Drumming group in his community. Ran for chief of Deh Gáh Got’ı̨ę.

• Cat McGurk - one of the founders of Makerspace YK, city councillor, tradesperson

• Laney Beaulieu - young person from Denı́nu Kų́ę́ (Fort Res) going to med school

• Alizette Lockhart - Elder from Lutsel K'e who pioneered fish scale art

• Alice and Ernest Vittrekwa - Elders in Tetlit Zheh

• Jordan Peterson - Gwich'in and Inuk from Aklavik. Former deputy Grand Chief of Gwich'in Tribal Council, very strong and entrepreneurial leader, good social media presence.

• Morgan Tsetta - Photographer and tiktok creator, gets southerners to care about the north. Originally from Ndilo.

• Courtney Howard - ER doctor, advocate for climate action, ran to be leader of the Federal Green Party

• Candice Lys - Fort Smith, creator of FOXY and SMASH, one of the first Arctic Inspiration prize winners.

• Sarah Erasmus - YKDFN clothing designer

• Ollie Williams - Cabin Radio / Entrepreneur

• Tony the Snow King - Entrepreneurial Mindset, outside the box thinker

• Wesley Hardisty - Musician and music teacher

• Jamie Stevenson - Indigenous Female Photographer, Past Inspire Instructor

• Ashley OKraenick - Indigenous Artist from Fort Simpson/Liidlii Kue

• Darcy Moses - Fashion Designer from Wrigley/Pedzeh Ki FN

Nunavut

• Natan Obed: President of the national Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

• Jose Kusugak: Former President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, known for his contributions to Inuit language and cultural preservation.

• Mary Simon: Inuk leader, diplomat, and advocate for Indigenous rights, who became the first Indigenous Governor General of Canada in 2021.

• Mumilaaq Qaqqaq: Inuk politician and former Member of Parliament, known for her advocacy on Indigenous and social justice issues.

• Aluki Kotierk: Inuk leader and former President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, working to protect and advance the rights of Inuit in Nunavut.

• Qulliit Council (https://www.qnsw.ca/) -A non-profit organization advocating for women’s rights and gender equality in Nunavut.

• Nunavut Status of Women Council-A government-funded organization that promotes women’s issues and gender equality in Nunavut.

• P.J. Akeeagok-The current Premier of Nunavut, responsible for leading the territory's government and representing Nunavut in national and international affairs.

• Lori Idlout - A member of parliament for Nunavut, representing the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Canadian House of Commons.

• Susan Aglukark-Founder and Program Developer of Arctic Rose Foundation: An Inuk singer-songwriter and founder of a charity organization that supports mental wellness and addiction recovery in Nunavut.

• Gerri Sharpe-The current President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, a national non-profit organization advocating for the rights and well-being of Inuit women and children.

• Kono Tattuinee- The current President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, a regional organization representing Inuit communities in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut