Inspire Labrador 

This new program supports participants to set their entrepreneurship goals guided by their interests, culture and community, while connecting with like-minded individuals from across the region.

Check back soon for when Inspire Labrador is coming to you!

We are working in partnership with the College of the North Atlantic to deliver Inspire Labrador - an opportunity to bring community business ideas to life, rooted in values and identity.

Inspire Labrador - coming in Winter 2025

A program designed by and for young people in Labrador.

Led by Labrador instructors, and featuring community leaders and entrepreneurs, our flagship program aims to connect entrepreneurship, education and culture through experiential workshops and real world activities.

  • Weekly live sessions with instructors and coordinators who come from Labrador or have significant experience living in Labrador

  • Group health and wellness sessions with local experts and community leaders who bring in cultural knowledge

  • 24/7 mental health and wellness phone-in supports and on-going one-on-one check-ins with program coordinators to help keep participants on track

  • Weekly guest speaker sessions with local business owners who share their stories and knowledge of change, leadership and entrepreneurship

Inspire Labrador Program Features

  • Skills to start a business, community project or explore your goals

  • Learn marketing, operations, finance, branding and communication skills

  • Support from instructors, leaders & local business owners

  • Weekly allowance and other program supports.

  • Earn a certificate of completion

In spring 2024, Small Economy Works was proud to launch Inspire Labrador. In partnership with the College of the North Atlantic, we delivered a customized 4-week program to youth in Happy Valley Goose Bay, Labrador.

Through 4-weeks of motivational speakers, Subject Matter Experts, on-the-land excursions and culturally focused activities, a cohort of 10 graduates successfully completed the program.

The graduation ceremonies and celebrations provided a space for our graduates to reflect on their transformative journey throughout the program, highlighting the invaluable skills, knowledge, and networks they have acquired.

This is only the beginning of Labrador!

Hear from Inspire Graduates from around the North!

  • Geela Kango

    Iqaluit

    Geela Kango is passionate about her community of Iqaluit, Nunavut and making it the best possible place for her and her family. Geela is a mother, a student, and is interested in mental health and wellness education, support and resources in her community. Read more

  • Shaia Davis

    Labrador

    The Inspire “program incorporated bits of Indigenous culture and focus and I appreciated that. Loved the basis for the Indigenous knowledge. Appreciate both Instructor and Coordinator that both had Indigenous backgrounds.”

  • Kourtney Bergen

    Gjoa Haven

    “I had a really good experience, I learned a lot. I met some awesome people, there are good guest speakers. That they (Inspire Nunavut) are willing to help people and other people to get more knowledge in all this stuff. It was my first time learning online and I did not mind learning online.”

  • Alexander Flemming

    Labrador

    “Inspire impacted my life, by giving me new ideas for the future. Now I believe I can do anything and move anywhere with my new ideas and skills. The highlight for me was the ice fishing and the soap stone carving cultural activities, as well as meeting new people and making more connections.”

  • Vanessa Flowers

    Labrador

    “Inspire helped me build connections with people…getting to meet more people in person and making connections with the Inspire team! I was really happy with my Business Model Canvas and my business pitch and will be using it more in the future. I was happy with the sweat lodge experience, and LOVED the opportunity to teach the class the kamik workshop. Thank you!”

Inspire Labrador Team

Watch our film!

Participants, community leaders and the Inspire team share their aspirations from the program, their experience, and the impact it has had on their lives.

FAQs

  • While the program primarily recruits Indigenous youth, if you are committed to working on your business, professional or education goals, and are aged 18-30 years, we welcome you to apply for the program.

  • It’s a simple two-step application process. Learn more about it here. If you are interested to apply for the program, fill out our application form to express your interest. A member of the Inspire team will be in touch with for a short interview and to chat with you about the program, and your goals.

  • Participants are expected to be passionate about creating impact, learning about their community, and combining personal and cultural values with their business goals.

    The program runs for 4 weeks, three days a week (Monday, Tuesday and alternate Fridays). Participants will be expected to participate in the classes and commit to the program.

  • Through the 4 weeks of the program participants will focus on setting some goals, and explore the vision for your business. We’ll create community and share values of ourselves and our community. We will look at what your business ideas needs in terms of resources, and we’ll explore different partners you might involve, activities you can carry out, and how others have done it in your community. We’ll look at how you can make your business stand out so you can get support from the community and start to engage potential customers. And we’ll finish with a fun pitch event!

Our Partners

The Inspire Labrador program has been made possible through collaboration between diverse individuals and organizations focused on innovation on locally driven responses to community challenges.

Contact us.

We’re always looking to meet and work with knowledgeable people from across the North to deliver the program or join us as guest speakers, instructors, business mentors and career coaches. Their insight and expertise ensure that we deliver the highest quality content-always from rural, remote and Northern perspective.

If you’d like to get involved, learn more about us, connect with a staff, use the contact form to drop us a message, and we’ll be in touch.