Indigenous Digital Accelerator

Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian, PhD is of the Secwepemc and Syilx Nations from the interior plateau regions of B.C. Her home community of Splatsin, is one of 17 communities that comprise the Secwepemc Nation.

Christian is the eldest of 10, has one daughter and over 70 nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews and at least two great, great nieces. She is called to her home community and to her Nation to be a part of Nation or community engagements.

Dorothy is currently in the Department of Graduate Studies at SFU as the Associate Director of Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy at Simon Fraser University. Her academic research consistently centralized Indigenous knowledge long before those terms became the latest buzzwords in the academy, including Indigenous and Settler relations.

One of the responsibilities she upholds is sitting on the SFU Advisory for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as Special Advisor Auntie/Elder to the Vice-President, People, Equity, and Inclusion (VPPEI) and President’s offices.

Dorothy continues to be involved in the Indigenous cultural industries. She is a Board member of the National Indigenous Screen Office organization and on the Advisory for the Indigenous Digital Accelerator Program at Capilano University. She also works with the Women in the Director’s Chair organization on their equity, diversity and inclusion training.

Cynthia is a member of the Tzeachten Band and Stó:lō Nation in Chilliwack, B.C. She is an Ecosystem Catalyst in Indigenous Populations and the founder of Sp'oq'es Entrepreneurs.

Through her business and work as a facilitator, mentor, and business coach, she empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs to realize their potential to create sustainable economic and social value in the world.

An entrepreneur since 1987, Cynthia holds an MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership from Simon Fraser University and takes great pride in providing service leadership and inspiring new entrepreneurs to move forward and out of their comfort zones.

Debra previously held the position of Senior Manager of the Indigenous Business Programs at SFU. She has vast experience in business and has owned several retail businesses as well as a consulting practice.

Her background in leadership stems from her extensive work with First Nation governments and organizations such as the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. She is fiercely committed to maximizing opportunity, building capacity and economic self-sufficiency for First Nation communities.

Debra is a graduate of the EMBA IBL program. She also holds a certificate in Applied Project Management. Debra is from the Cree Nation in Alberta.

A business accelerator is a program that helps developing companies build strong sustainable businesses by providing mentorship, funding and other support.

Accelerators are for companies that are already established, but need mentorship and support to build momentum and get to the next level.

The Indigenous Digital Accelerator was designed for Indigenous companies in the high tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors including film, television, games and digital media; however, it's also appropriate for more traditional companies that want to add a digital component such as a website or e-commerce platform to their business model.

The Indigenous Digital Accelerator will connect Indigenous entrepreneurs to CapU students who are interested in gaining work experience during practicums, internships, co-op work terms and summer employment. Students will be available to help entrepreneurs with research and other tasks.

Capilano University is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and helping Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities grow and thrive.