Teaching Resources
Case Studies in Aboriginal Business
The Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies produces a series of business cases that focus on Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs across Canada. Currently, there are 59 case studies available for use in business programs.
Case studies are available free of charge for educational purposes by clicking here, or by accessing CBU Scholar, and navigating to Graduate Works. From there, you may select the Case Study filter to see all 59 case studies.
If you are an instructor and would like access to teaching notes, please contact Mary Beth Doucette.
| Case | Author | Year | Description |
| Abenaki Associates and Aboriginal Niche Market Entrepreneurship | Erin Bragg | 2017 | information and computer software technology for First Nation customers |
| Amaguk Inn | Danielle Pottle | 2013 | employee training and retention in an Inuit business |
| Authentic Indigenous Arts Initiative | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | deciding whether to proceed on the establishment of an arts branding initiative |
| Bearman AUTHENTICS | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | expanding a “show on the road” jewellery business |
| Blackdome Gold Mine and Skeena Resources | Erin Bragg | 2017 | acquisition of Sona Resources’ Blackdome Gold Mine by Skeena Resources |
| Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park and Siksika Nation | Erin Bragg | 2017 | establishing a tourist attraction/historical park to improve economic sustainability |
| Blue Sky Indigenous Nation Community Trust | Jan Bearclaw | 2015 | appointing trustees, conflict of interest in a First Nation Trust |
| Bouchier Group and the Changing Oil Sands Industry | Janice Esther Tulk | 2016 | responding to changes in the Alberta oil sands industry |
| Carcross/Tagish Management Corporation and the Canadian Tourism Industry | Erin Bragg | 2017 | developing adventure tourism in a remote First Nation |
| Developmental Financing for Aboriginal Businesses | Marcia Nickerson | 2015 | financing for Aboriginal business; NACCA |
| Erosion at Malagawatch | Ken Medd | 2015 | deciding which recommendations from a consultant’s report to implement to address erosion at a shared First Nation reserve |
| Expanding Nahmah Miigwan Services | Nina Kent | 2016 | deciding whether and how to expand a successful First Nation consulting business |
| Financing the Membertou Professional Centre | Stephanie Slaman | 2016 | deciding how to finance the construction of a professional centre on reserve land |
| Financing the Songhees Nation Wellness Centre | Ken Medd | 2015 | financing infrastructure development by implementing taxation on a First Nation reserve |
| Fort McKay Group of Companies | Erin Bragg | 2017 | First Nation economic development in the oil sands |
| Haa-ak-suuk Creek Hydro Limited Partnership and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation | Erin Bragg | 2017 | establishing run-of-the-river hydropower to generate environmentally friendly energy |
| ID Fusion Software | Rachel Marsch | 2014 | strategy, management, and growing a Métis business |
| Indian Maiden Maple Syrup A | Janice Esther Tulk | 2014 | entrepreneurship, development of a First Nation product for tourists |
| Indian Maiden Maple Syrup B | Janice Esther Tulk | 2014 | entrepreneurship, self-publication of a First Nation text |
| Indian Maiden Maple Syrup C | Janice Esther Tulk | 2014 | marketing, product lines, branding, and authenticity in a First Nation business |
| Innu Development Limited Partnership and the Mushuau and Sheshatshiu First Nations | Erin Bragg | 2017 | economic development initiatives among the Innu in Labrador |
| Integral Geomatics | Ken Medd | 2015 | increasing capacity in a Metis start-up |
| Klahowya Village | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | deciding whether and how to expand a successful First Nation tourism product in an urban setting |
| Malagawatch | Stephanie McCormick | 2014 | land, heritage, and co-management of a historically significant First Nation site |
| Manitobah Mukluks | Ken Medd | 2015 | changing production of a popular boot and implications for authenticity |
| Membertou Heritage Park: Craft Table at the Port of Sydney | Ken Medd | 2015 | deciding whether to continue selling off-site at the cruise pavilion; First Nation heritage centre |
| Membertou Hotel | Keith G. Brown and Janice Esther Tulk | 2015 | locating a new hotel in a First Nation; fee simple vs. reserve land |
| Membertou Museum A | Mary Beth Doucette | 2015 | deciding how to proceed on the development of a First Nation community museum upon receipt of the feasibility study |
| Membertou Museum B | Mary Beth Doucette | 2015 | identifying alternatives to building a traditional museum that has been determined to be not economically viable in a First Nation context |
| Membertou Museum C | Mary Beth Doucette | 2015 | determining how to proceed on the building of a First Nation heritage facility following a downturn in the tourism industry |
| Membertou Pedway | Keith G. Brown and Janice Esther Tulk | 2015 | building a pedway that crosses fee simple and reserve land and related challenges in a First Nation context |
| Membertou Professional Centre Signs | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | choosing exterior signs for a business park located in a First Nation; sustainability; costs |
| Membertou Sports and Wellness Centre | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | deciding whether to proceed on the development of an arena in a First Nation |
| Mi’kmaq Women’s Resource Centre A | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | developing a budget to achieve the centre’s mandate after successfully applying for funding |
| Mi’kmaq Women’s Resource Centre B | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | identifying strategic directions for a recently established First Nation women’s resource centre in an urban area |
| Mi’kmaw Alternative Energy | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | deciding how best to expand a solar energy business in a First Nation context |
| Moonlight Works A | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | registering a First Nation business |
| Moonlight Works B | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | considering eCommerce for a First Nation craft business |
| Museum of Ontario Archaeology | Janice Esther Tulk | 2014 | governance, rebranding a heritage institution with an Aboriginal focus |
| Neechi Commons and the Economic Development of North End Winnipeg | Erin Bragg | 2017 | socially responsible business in Winnipeg |
| Nunatsiavut Group of Companies and Inuit Business Ownership in Newfoundland and Labrador | Erin Bragg | 2017 | Inuit economic development in Labrador |
| One Stop | Tamara Young | 2015 | dealing with a substantial tax bill as a result of not collecting taxes from non-Aboriginal customers at an on-reserve business |
| OrigiNative | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | finding a production and storage space solution for a growing First Nation business |
| Pratt Falls Salmon Lodge | Ken Medd | 2015 | financing a seasonal business |
| Salmon n’ Bannock A | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | local food and operations in a First Nation restaurant |
| Salmon n’ Bannock B | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | local food and supply in a First Nation restaurant |
| Slick’s Smoke Shop and Rosie’s Hair Salon | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | deciding whether to expand to a nearby reserve |
| Slick’s Hair Salon and Boutique | Kateri Stevens | 2016 | identifying strategies to enhance sales in a First Nation context |
| Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre | Erin Bragg | 2017 | development of a cultural centre devoted to the cooperative relationship between two First Nations |
| Stk’emlupsemc Te Secwepemc Nation and the New Afton Mine | Angelique Slade Shantz | 2015 | mine development in a First Nation context |
| Tipi Joe Creations | Nina Kent | 2016 | deciding whether and how to change prices after three years of successful operations |
| Tk’emlups: The Repatriation of Scheidam Flats | Ken Medd | 2015 | financing a legal case by implementing taxation on a First Nation reserve |
| To Trust, or Not to Trust | Jan Bearclaw | 2014 | community engagement with a First Nation Trust |
| Tourism at Broughton Archipelago | Katie K. MacLeod | 2015 | responding to media reports of inappropriate behaviour at burial grounds |
| Traditionelle | Shawna Boyer | 2013 | market readiness, target markets, logos in a First Nation start-up |
| Victoria Corner Market | Tamara Young | 2014 | marketing, target markets, and strategy in a First Nation business |
| Wealth, Power, and Glory | Ken Medd | 2015 | business structure and financing for an Aboriginal start-up |
| Wells Craft Supply | Pamela Paul | 2013 | niche markets, differentiation, and authenticity in a First Nation business |
| Westbank First Nation CPs | Tamara Young | 2013 | land, CPs, and community development in a First Nation |
Guest Lectures
Dr. Paulette Tremblay talks about accounting in a First Nations context to BBA students in the Shannon School of Business. View it on YouTube.
Stories of Successful Aboriginal Businesses and Organizations
We’ve also shared the stories of successful Aboriginal businesses and organizations in other publications and reports, which may be useful in educational contexts.
| Case | Author | Year | Description | Reference |
| St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino | Margaret Froh | 2014 | partnerships, best practices | Partnership Report |
| Forging Connections: The Hampton Inn Membertou | Michael MacIntyre, John Lynn, Gary Corsano, Pascal Pisegna, & Christopher Alcantara | 2014 | partnerships, best practices | Partnership Report |
| Collaborative Approach to Economic Development: The Unama’ki Model | Owen Fitzgerald, Alex Paul, Gary Campbell, & Ronald Trosper | 2014 | partnerships, best practices | Partnership Report |
| Research Partnerships: Land Management in Membertou | Gillian Austin, Cheryl Knockwood, Rachel Starks, & Tamara Young | 2014 | partnerships, best practices | Partnership Report |
| Cultural Tourism: Eskasoni Cultural Journeys | Tracy Menge, Sandra MacDonald, Rodney Chaisson, & Keith Henry | 2014 | partnerships, best practices | Partnership Report |
| Collaborative Aboriginal Economic Development: The Unama’ki Economic Development Model | Janice Esther Tulk | 2014 | collaborative economic development, best practices | Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development9.1 (2014): 44-56 |
| Managing Land, Governing for the Future: Finding the Path Forward for Membertou | Rachel Starks, Janice Esther Tulk, Tamara Young, Mary Beth Doucette, & Trevor Bernard | 2013 | land codes, FNLMA, land management, best practices | AAEDIRP Report |
| Guiding Principles for Aboriginal Economic Development | Janice Esther Tulk | 2013 | best practices, Membertou First Nation, Rama First Nation, Osoyoos Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Tsawwassen First Nation | Best Practices Report |
| ‘Membertou always wanted to succeed’: The Membertou Business Model | Keith Brown, Meghan Finney, Mary Beth Doucette, Janice Esther Tulk, Natasha Bernard, & Yu-Ting Isabella Yuan | 2012 | economic development, ISO, branding, culture, partnerships, best practices | Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development8.1 (2012): 32-48 |
| Impact of the Marshall Decision on the Development of a Mi’kmaw Commercial Fishery (student paper) | Nicole Johnson | 2016 | Supreme Court Decision, economic development, Membertou, Eskasoni, Millbrook | Paper |
| Attracting Aboriginal Youth to the Study of Business: Mentorship, Networking, and Technology | Janice Esther Tulk, Mary Beth Doucette, & Allan MacKenzie | 2016 | youth business mentorship program; best practices | Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development10.1 (2016): 54-70 |
Other Resources
During the summer of 2012, student research assistant Vernon Migwans compiled Aboriginal business and economic development case studies and other resources that may be of value to instructors, researchers, and students in business programs across Canada. This was done primarily with the goal of mobilizing already existing materials to provide Aboriginal content in business courses. Resources are grouped into categories commonly found in Introduction to Business textbooks (see left hand navigation). Efforts have been made to include First Nation, Métis, and Inuit content.
In annotations:
FN = First Nation focus; M = Métis focus; I = Inuit focus
These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by CBU of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. CBU bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
