Ogemawahj Tribal Training and Employment Resources (OTTER)
Hugh “Buzzy” BigCanoe Youth Entrepreneurship Program
Program Objective:
To continue with the spirit of Hugh Big Canoe’s dedication to assist Youth understand and enter into business and to provide an assistive mechanism for the purposes of starting a new business or expand an existing business for Youth between the ages of 15-30 on an annual basis.
Criteria:
•Individual must be nominated from someone who is from the OTC First Nation membership.
•Individual nominated must be between the ages of 15-30.
•Application can also provide by a Letter of Support stating how the nominee demonstrates qualities of a role model such as leadership, the ability to communicate, dedication and perseverance.
•The business must be operated, at a minimum, between April and September.
•Nominee must have demonstrated role model qualities.
•Nominee must be willing to attend the OTC AGM.
•Nominee may be requested to consider being a part of a role model program for other OTC Indigenous Youth.
Timeline of Program:
•Call for Nominations will be announced to the communities on April 1st each year.
• Nominations and applications are due the last day May 29, 2026.
•The successful nominee will receive funding in June.
•The business will be operated over the summer months with a final report/presentation to be provided at the OTC AGM in September
Selection Process:
The Panel will review the outline of the business, a budget that includes operating costs and how the funds will be used, and the nomination letter.
Financial Assistance:
Funds distributed to a maximum of $5,000.00.
Funds can be used to offset costs of running and operating a business other than direct payment to the selected participant in lieu of wages. Specific area of interest include service costs such as bookkeeping, development of a business/marketing plan, marketing costs and capital purchases