Fourteen Years of Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs: Brandon’s IYEP Journey at DFC 

Brandon has taught the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program (IYEP) at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFCHS) in Thunder Bay, Ontario, for all 14 years of his teaching career. DFCHS was the first school to partner with MFI for IYEP, and Brandon has been at the heart of the program since its beginning. 

He values how the program meets his students where they are while staying closely aligned with Ontario’s provincial curriculum; the lessons are clear, the activities are engaging, and the examples are relevant to their lives. Before partnering with MFI, Brandon relied on an outdated American textbook—dense, confusing and disconnected from his students’ experiences. 

One of his favourite parts of IYEP is getting students into the community. They meet local business owners, visit incubator spaces and see that being an entrepreneur is about having the drive and an idea that serves people and their goals. 

Throughout the program, Brandon has watched his students grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom. Their confidence grows as they present in front of their peers and judges, their budgeting skills improve as they learn to track money, and many of them discover new possibilities for their futures. Some are inspired to pursue business in college or university, while others take what they’ve learned and apply it directly to family ventures.  

He proudly shares a story of one student from Deer Lake who completed the program, graduated and then helped his family expand their store by adding gas pumps. “It’s about meeting the needs of the people in the community,” Brandon says. 

Brandon also works closely with MFI IYEP program coordinator, Dave Isherwood, meeting each month to share updates and connect with new guest speakers or local organizations. Recently, Dave has been supporting the class as one of three community judges for DFCHS’ annual business plan competition, which is now in its 16th year. Looking ahead, he and Dave have been discussing how class activity funding could also support student-run ventures in the school. One idea that Brandon is excited about? Students selling candy and popcorn, then reinvesting the profits into an after-school snack program—a hands-on way to learn business while giving back to their classmates.  

His advice to other teachers is simple: adapt the program to your school. “Pick the lessons that will matter most to your students, the things they’ll remember to use.”  

Interested in bringing IYEP to your school or community?  

MFI provides a full set of classroom resources, personalized training, and ongoing support from dedicated program coordinators to support teachers in delivering the course with confidence. You can learn more here: https://themfi.ca/en/area/economic-well-being 

Or contact Griffin Marsh, Director of Economic Well-Being: gmarsh@themfi.ca