MONCTON, N.B. - Nine students from Nunavut were among nearly 200 aboriginal youth from across the country who took part in this year's E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan competition.

Mina Emikotailak, Debbie Kavik, Lucy Ann Novalinga, Paddy Aqaitusuk, Walter Meeko, Tim Kowcharlie, Mick Appaqaq, Annette Wong, Jeff Dornan (chaperone). - photo courtesy of Annette Wong

Held in Moncton, N.B., from May 17 to 19, the event featured a trade show where students showcased their business ideas and outlined their business plan to jury members.

Seven students from the Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq as well as two from Coral Harbour's Sakku School came up with ideas for businesses that they believe could succeed their communities.

One thing they all think would be really successful? Coffee.

Teams from both schools presented business plans to build a coffee shop close to home.

Nuiyak School's Mina Emilotailak, a Grade 12 student and Lucy Ann Novalinga, who is in Grade 10/11, teamed up to propose a coffee shop/library business.

"People here always drink coffee and they have nowhere to get it from," said Emilotailak. “Everyone makes it from home.”

The other businesses presented by Nuiyak students were a clothing store and a tourism exploration company.

Both girls said the highlight of the trip east for them was the event's gala dance, which allowed them to meet and mingle with other attendees.

"I didn't expect to see so many students," Emilotailak said. "It was really fun and busy."

Nuiyak teacher Annette Wong said the competition gave her students a chance to interact with other aboriginal students from around the country and gain valuable life experience that will help them in the future.

"They don't have many opportunities to stand in front of their peers to present things that they've created," she said.

Also representing the Nuiyak school were Grade 12 students Walter Meeko, Tim Kowcharlie, Paddy Aqaitusuk, Debbie Kavik and Mick Appaqaq.

Sakku School teacher Lisom Tam-Eveleigh, said her team of Grade 12 students Kayla MacLean and Norman Nakoolak Jr. learned a lot about what goes into creating a business while planning for their hypothetical coffee shop in Coral Harbour.

Students had to consider where the business should be located, whether they would be building or renovating a location and how they would get supplies into the community, among other things.

"I think students get an idea of what it's like to have a business venture," Tam-Eveleigh said. "It is a lot more complicated then some of them expected."

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

The competition is the culmination of a 16-week Internet-based competition for Grades 10 to 12 students, where they completed interactive business modules ranging from management to financial and marketing plans.

Cash prizes were awarded to the three winning schools in the amount of $2,500 for gold, $1,500 for silver, and $750 for bronze.

While neither of the Nunavut schools took home awards, both students and teachers agree it was a valuable experience they would do again.

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