SANIKILUAQ - Eleven students from the Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq are some of the more than 190 aboriginal youths from across the country who participated in the 10th annual E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan competition.

Mick Appaqaq, left, Ti-Gilles Kowcharlie and Becky Qavvik show off posters of the Inuit language translation service they presented at the E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan competition last week in Ottawa. - photo courtesy of Maria Constantinescu

Held at the University of Ottawa from May 11 to 13, the event featured a trade show, where students showcased their business and a presentation to jury members, in which teams outlined their business plan. Nuiyak School students Mick Appaqaq, Becky Qavvik and Ti-Gilles Kowcharlie, proposed a translation service, Inuit Language Inc., where educational material would be translated into the Sanikiluaq dialect.

"Most of the books we get aren't really in our dialect, so it will be a great plan to provide in our school," said Kowcharlie, a 17-year-old Grade 10/11 student.

"Let other cities and other Nunavut communities know that our dialect is different from all Northern dialects. We like to compete with others and we are very prepared to do it."

Appaqaq said the competition went very well, as his team is one of the nine finalists.

"This experience has made me realize that I can start a business. So far, it has had a positive impact in my career plans," he said.

Kowcharlie and his teammates also enjoyed time in the nations capital.

"So far, Ottawa has been great, interesting and exciting, fun. We have been visiting a lot of places. We've been shopping. It's a great experience here," he said

Another team made up of Tim Appaqaq, Betsy Kittosuk, Paddy Aqiatusuk and Kelly Fraser proposed a gift shop, the Nanuk Gift Shop, where aboriginal art, such as carvings, parkas, mittens and jewelry, would be sold.

"We are going to try and do our best in our business," said Kittosuk, 43, who is a Grade 11 student.

Tim said the judges liked their idea.

As for Debbie, Daisy and Malaya Kavik, as well as Anna Qittosuk, they proposed to operate a restaurant called Inuit Nirivinga, with a varied menu, including country and southern foods.

"We wanted to provide more Inuit food to our community," Debbi, a 17-year-old Grade 10/11 student said.

Cindy Goodyear, a teacher at the Nuiyak School, provided guidelines and advice to the students. One team from the school attended the competition last year, but came back empty-handed.

"It gives them some experience outside of Sanikiluaq, to be able to meet other students and experience different cultures and also expose them to different opportunities, whether it would be educational opportunities, employment opportunities," she said.

The event is organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada.

The top nine teams, out of the 69 participating, had to present a second time before the winners were announced.

The winning team received $2,500, the runner-up won $1,500 and the third place finisher was given $750. Twelve awards for special achievement were also given out. The competition is the culmination of a 16-week Internet-based competition for Grades 10 to 12 students, where they completed seven interactive business modules ranging from management to financial and marketing plans.