CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
Mentorship key to Capilano University's Indigenous Digital Accelerator success

Capilano University's Indigenous Digital Accelerator (IDA) program gave Bangin' Bannock founders Destiny Hoostie and Kelsey Coutts the tools needed to grow their frybread dry mix company from struggling startup to bustling social enterprise.  

During a critical stage in their company's growth, the IDA helped the two women with website rebranding and development, accounting, and marketing and operations plans. But more than simply equipping them with digital skills and business training, the IDA empowered them through mentorship. 

"Our business has experienced significant growth thanks to Cynthia's guidance," Hoostie says of the advice and direction provided by advisory committee member Cynthia Robinson Young of the Tzeachten Band and Stó:lō Nation in Chilliwack. "Cynthia is a respected Elder with a wealth of knowledge in business. She supported us for the length of the program and we continue to have a flourishing relationship with her. The mentorship has enabled us to thrive while staying true to our cultural foundation." 

Hoostie recently relocated to Regina, Sask., to be closer to her Indigenous community and to expand Bangin' Bannock into the Prairies. While Hoostie oversees a second fulfilment location in Regina, Coutts manages the main production warehouse in Richmond, B.C., where she hires youth to assist with production. "One of our core goals has always been to hire Indigenous youth, and we are excited to finally be in a position to invite youth in to join our team," she says. 

The partners are now expanding their Bangin' Bannock line to include traditional ingredients sourced from Hoostie's traditional territory of White Bear First Nation, and are eager to launch the new products later this year. 

The University formally launched the IDA program in April 2019 through an agreement with Western Economic Diversification Canada. Designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and companies owned by Indigenous people, the IDA aims to address significant gaps in the participation of Indigenous peoples in the high tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors.  

In 2020, TD Bank Group, through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, provided the University with a $450,000 donation to develop and strengthen the University's program over three years. These funds have allowed IDA to offer a collection of professional development workshops designed to build capacity for Indigenous peoples in high tech and digital creative spaces, says Doreen Manuel, director of the Bosa Centre for Film & Animation and Inclusive Community Projects at CapU, and a key member of the IDA team.  

"There is a severe shortage of Indigenous producers, production managers and location sound Indigenous professionals in Canada," Manuel says. "Indigenous businesses struggle to expand their service delivery beyond their regions." 

To this end, training workshops include the Filmmakers in Indigenous Leadership Management & Business Affairs Program (FILMBA), NBC IDA Indigenous Screenwriting Program, and Indigenous Film Intensives.  

Earlier this year, TD renewed its commitment to the program with an additional $500,000 donation to support the IDA's programming over the next three years. 

Those funds are already having an impact, with the IDA mounting a successful Indigenous Business Incubator this past spring, with participation from 11 Indigenous creators and entrepreneurs.  

Hoostie from Bangin' Bannock hopes that more Indigenous business owners will apply to the IDA program.  

"This program not only provided the essential financial support but also honoured our traditions and values, making our journey both successful and deeply meaningful," says Hoostie. "We highly recommend entrepreneurs at any stage of their business to take the Indigenous Digital Accelerator program as the outcomes have been invaluable to us and our journey," she adds. 

To request more information on IDA workshops and other programming, please send an email to the program coordinator: ida@capilanou.ca.