Bringing Entrepreneurship Back: Principal Newell Johnson on Reintroducing IYEP in Eskasoni 

After several years, the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program (IYEP) is returning to Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia. For Principal Newell Johnson, its return feels like a new beginning for her students and staff.

When she talks about what the program can bring, she doesn’t focus on textbooks or business plans. She thinks about the experience of trying something new—about students discovering what they’re capable of and feeling proud of what they create. 

“I’m excited to have it back. We have a lot more support for the program this year, and I think our students are ready to take on something that feels real to them.” 

For Newell, entrepreneurship isn’t just something that she encourages in others. It’s something she lives herself. On evenings and weekends, she and her sister Anita run the Pink Party Trailer: a food truck that travels to birthdays and community gatherings to serve popcorn, sno-cones, cotton candy, and, most importantly, a reason to smile.  

“I’ve always loved serving people, especially children,” she shares. “And who doesn’t love free treats at parties?” 

Running a small business has changed the way Newell sees learning. “It’s not just about selling something,” she notes. “You start to understand how much effort goes into making an idea work. You learn how to adapt, how to keep people happy, and how to stay calm when things don’t go as planned.” 

When the pandemic hit, those lessons became clearer. Health restrictions meant barriers, new rules, and limited supplies. “Once we were allowed back, we had to make sure safety was our top priority; it changed the way we worked, but it reminded us why we started. The trailer brings people together. That’s what keeps us going.” 

Balancing her work as a principal while running a business takes commitment, but Newell has never been afraid of a challenge. “It can be scary to take a risk,” she says. “But when you believe in what you’re doing, it’s worth it. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but, when you care about people, they notice.” 

Her own journey shapes what she hopes students will take away from IYEP. “Running a business helps you understand how to plan, how to stay focused, and how to recover when things don’t go the way you want. It teaches patience and courage.”  

Looking ahead, Newell hopes IYEP will show students the potential that already exists in their community. “There’s so much creativity here,” she says. “I want them to see that they can build something that matters to them. Even when it gets hard, I hope they keep moving forward.” 

The return of IYEP at Allison Bernard Memorial High School is more than the start of another course. It’s an opportunity for students to believe in their ideas and see how far they can go. For Principal Johnson, it’s a reminder that leadership can happen anywhere (especially in a bright pink trailer). 

Interested in bringing IYEP to your school or community?

MFI equips educators with a full set of classroom resources, personalized training, and ongoing support from dedicated program coordinators to support them 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