Foyston, Gordon and Payne Commits $25,000 to Support Sprott’s Northern Lights Program
At Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, learning occurs in many places, including in communities across Canada and abroad. Experiential learning has become a cornerstone of a Sprott education and initiatives such as the Northern Lights program through the course BUSI 4117 (Developing Creative Thinking) have life-changing impacts for both students and their partner communities.
Canadian investment firm Foyston, Gordon & Payne has committed $25,000 to support the Northern Lights program, which empowers youth and communities in northern Yukon and Haida Gwaii through creative, community-driven projects that celebrate culture, entrepreneurship and learning.
“We chose to support the Sprott School of Business’ Northern Lights program because it gives students the opportunity to collaborate directly with Indigenous communities in northern Canada on projects that create meaningful, lasting impact,” said Bryan Pilsworth, president, CEO and portfolio manager at Foyston, Gordon & Payne and a graduate of Carleton’s Bachelor of Commerce program.
“The program engages students in community-based initiatives that blend entrepreneurship, cultural learning, and social innovation. FGP is proud to continue our commitment to supporting Indigenous communities and educational opportunities across the country.”
Through Northern Lights, Carleton students collaborate with community partners and youth in Mayo, Yukon and in Masset, Haidi Gwaii, off the northern coast of British Columbia. Carleton students work with community partners over the year and travel to the community where they get to meet with community stakeholders to refine, implement and advance projects.
The communities themselves set the priorities for Northern Lights. Over the past five years, the program has supported initiatives, such as creating a youth-designed, outdoor gathering space, developing a local radio station, and working on the creation of digital tools that support Indigenous language learning and cultural storytelling. One of these initiatives, The Skate Project, is now a registered non-profit where local youth in Mayo design, produce, and sell their own skate decks.
The support from Foyston, Gordon & Payne will help cover costs associated with student travel, project supplies and technology needs.
“We are grateful to Foyston, Gordon & Payne for their generous support,” said Rob Smart, Sprott associate professor of Management, who leads BUSI 4117 and the Northern Lights Program with Sprott professor Troy Anderson.
“Students tell me how much this experience changes them, especially in terms of their worldview and their confidence. They get to visit interesting communities, interact with people who have different perspectives and work on engaging projects. They come away excited to go out into the world, which seems smaller and more connected for them.”
Smart adds that the relationships formed through the experience often continue after students complete the course. Many of them form special bonds with the communities and stay in touch with the people there. Course alumni are also keen to stay in touch and share their feedback with students who might continuing projects they worked on when they were in the course.
Foyston, Gordon and Payne has supported Sprott business students over the years and in 2016, they established a scholarship that provides financial support to undergraduate Finance students.