First Nations Canvas 1.0

The First Nations Canvas is a strategic business planning tool that guides and assists First People through the process of identifying their unique business idea, assessing its viability and ultimately launching a successful and sustainable enterprise. The First Nations Canvas provides an opportunity for all First Peoples to generate wealth and secure economic independence in ways that honour traditional cultural values, holistic frameworks and deep knowledge about the world.

It makes it easy for First People to map out their business and make ongoing updates. This short and simple exercise gives you the ability to set your long-term goals and see your progress in a matter of minutes.

This strategic business planning tool primarily helps with two areas:

• strategic business planning tool that will help you create the problem, value proposition, subcommunity and sustainability model to make building a successful First Nations business easier and faster.
• a tool designed to help potential First Nations entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into positive sustainable ventures. The tool walks the entrepreneur through the operations of a First Nations business, from design, product development to sustainability.

The First Nations Canvas was developed to help first peoples, communities and organisations identify a viable business idea. It also provides a framework for supporting individuals and groups as they move from inspiration to execution. The process of creating a plan can be challenging, especially for those who lack access to the necessary skills or resources. The First Nations Canvas is designed to meet the needs of these groups by providing an interactive and collaborative process that enables participants to work together on their plans.

The first Nations Canvas can be used by any entrepreneur, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex or social or economic status. It is designed to be accessible for all entrepreneurs seeking to expand their horizons and achieve 'success' for their community.

“You've still got to build entrepreneurs, your community, corporations and your nation's initiative in a way that reflects who we are." - Miles Richardson

Problem

The problem section is the most important part of your business idea. A good businesss needs a real problem to solve, a value proposition (solution) for that problem, and a sustainability model.

A common reason for startup failure is the lack of a proper problem understanding. It's important to understand what exactly you're trying to solve, and how it will work, before starting a project.

The best way to avoid this mistake is to start by doing a thorough analysis of the problem space. Understanding the problem and its context is key to determining not only if it's worth solving for your community, but also how best to solve it.

To avoid this pitfall, first define the problem you are attempting to solve. This will help identify whether there is a market need for your product. Next, identify who your target customer is and what their pain points are. Take time to step into their shoes and think about their everyday challenges, needs, and desires.

Value Proposition

What is the value your business is bringing to the community? Is your venture fulfilling the needs of the community through relieving its pain points and problems? What makes you unique? Are you solving a problem that somebody else in the community is already tackling?

The community’s needs and problems are not always easy to see and understand. However, the community's needs are always the top priority for any First Nations enterprise. The community should be involved in decision-making processes and must have a role in the development of resources.

SubCommunity

SubCommunity is the term we give to smaller groups of people who share a common passion, interest, or goal. SubCommunity is all about creating meaningful interactions with these groups of people and help them connect with the broader community for an even greater impact on both your target market and your community.

You can make a massive difference in the community by investing in the right partnerships. In order to do this, you need to understand what the supplier/partner wants from the deal, and what is in the best long-term interests of the community.

This section also includes the venture's team. First, people were specialists who had their own way to contribute to the community, and you'll need specific skills to get your venture up and running.

Sustainability Model

The sustainability model has a different meaning to different people. For Westerners, it traditionally focuses on the profitability of a venture. For First People, it focuses on long-term sustainability and impact.

The costs of any venture should be analysed before starting. What are the business' wages, infrastructure and input costs? Is there potential for economies of scale? Are the owners focused on creating value for the community?

“We need strong sustainable economies to get there but what is that to Indigenous people?”

First Nations Canvas enables First Peoples to be knowledgeable and make wise decisions while structuring and managing their business in a way that is aligned with their way of doing things.

The canvas will help First People to put the right people, processes and support systems in place to achieve their goals, including through self-direction and teamwork. The tool and process itself do not focus on you or me. It is an educational tool. By knowing more about ourselves and our identity, we can create impactful decisions and behave in more prosperous and successful communities. 

Notes:

• First/rough draft - brain dump to get things going. Constructive feedback is appreciated.
• Circular design - I feel Western models are generally too one-dimensional and a circular design represents Indigenous people better.
• Humans are included in biodiversity, but in Western systems, people are the top priority. Adding "People" keeps us grounded in the greater community for which we are a part of and not better than.