Meet Kallen: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs in One Arrow First Nation 

When Kallen began teaching the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program (IYEP) at Almightyvoice Education Centre, he didn’t come from a business background. He was a physical education teacher, and this was his first time leading a classroom-based course. 

But what unfolded over the semester became one of the most meaningful experiences of his career. 

“I don’t have a background in business, but the course was easy to teach and, honestly, really fun. I saw students come alive in ways I hadn’t seen before.” 

Kallen first learned about the program through a conversation with his principal and MFI team members. He remembered his younger brother’s experience with former IYEP coordinator Joe Taylor’s after-school business club in Mistawasis and the impression it left. 

“My brother was part of that club and loved it. I saw what it gave him: something to get excited about. That’s what made me say yes.” 

Even though he was new to the subject matter, Kallen found the teacher workbook easy to follow, and the regular support from IYEP entrepreneurship coordinator Gord Desjarlais made a big difference—especially in a school year marked by weather-related closures and a fast-paced quad schedule. 

“Every time I had a question, I’d shoot Gord an email and he’d get back right away. If I was stuck, he’d hop on a video call.” 

As for the students, Kallen noticed something shift early on. They started to take ownership over their ideas, their work, and even their attendance. For example, one student designed a business plan for a mobile car detailing service; normally quiet and disengaged in class, he started coming every day, building out his idea piece by piece. 

“There was a student who wouldn’t stay in class and then, once he got that idea of the car cleaning business, he came every day and he was designing posters, everything.” 

Other students used the course to explore passions they hadn’t shared before. One student, previously hesitant to speak in class, delivered a confident business pitch about launching a clothing line. She even went over the time limit because she had so much to say! 

“She was very shy and reserved and then, when she did her pitch, she went over her time and just found her voice. She loved it.” 

Kallen said the course didn’t just build business knowledge, but it also built confidence and motivation. His students started applying what they learned to the province’s new financial curriculum, budgeting for supplies and exploring the cost of renting spaces.  

One of Kallen’s favourite moments was a field trip to Dakota Dunes that he helped organize to explore Indigenous tourism. Inspired by MFI’s IYEP tourism supplement, the trip gave students a window into available career paths and entrepreneurship opportunities in Indigenous communities. 

Looking ahead, Kallen says he’d gladly teach the course again and that he hopes to see IYEP offered in more communities, especially back home. 

“I’d love to see this in Mistawasis. There’s so much potential, and I know students there would get a lot out of it—just like my brother did.” 

“It’s a strong program. The students benefit from it, and so do we as teachers. I’d recommend it to any school looking to offer something meaningful and engaging.” 

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