Nicola Valley Institute of Technology proudly announces the launch of its Indigenous Business (IBUS) Diploma, an innovative program designed to integrate Indigenous Knowledge with contemporary business education. This first-of-its-kind two-year diploma will empower Indigenous learners as business leaders while honouring cultural values and sustainable economic practices.
Rooted in the Syilx Nation’s Four Food Chiefs teachings, the IBUS Diploma embraces Indigenous ways of knowing to provide a holistic and culturally relevant education. Storywork serves as the foundation for learning, guiding students through narratives that connect business strategies with relational accountability, sustainability, and community well-being.
“The Four Food Chiefs is one of our foundational stories,” says Elder Casey Holmes, an NVIT Elder from the Upper Nicola Indian Band. “Those stories are called captikʷł, or Storywork, and they are our laws and protocols—everything we need to know to live as a people.”
By engaging with both traditional and contemporary knowledge systems, learners develop leadership approaches that reflect Indigenous values and long-term community prosperity.
“Our goal is to reframe business curriculum by returning to our original way of teaching—using Storywork to guide learning,” says Chloe Price, Associate Dean at NVIT and a relation of the syíľx and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations, who led the development of the IBUS Diploma. “Through this approach, we create space to share our teachings, Indigenize business education, meet community needs, and encourage others to reflect on their own stories and how they can shape curriculum.”
With guidance from Elder Casey Holmes and the teachings of the Four Food Chiefs, this program provides a pathway for students to develop leadership skills through Storywork, fostering sustainability, cultural responsibility, and community-driven business practices.
The curriculum follows a unique seasonal structure, with each term and course representing the values of the Four Food Chiefs: skmʼxist (Black Bear), spʼiƛʼm (Bitterroot), siyaʔ (Saskatoon Berry), and ntytyix (King Salmon).
In addition to business fundamentals such as financial management, governance, and ethical decision-making, the IBUS program highlights sustainability, land stewardship, and economic sovereignty. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to integrate their learning into organizations and communities, contributing to long-term well-being and sustainable leadership.
The first intake of the Indigenous Business Diploma begins in Fall 2025, offering a transformative learning experience for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the world of business and beyond.
For more information, the IBUS Diploma program will have an info session on Wednesday, May 14, 4:00 – 5:00 PM via Teams. Register here or contact info@nvit.ca.