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Business | Beedie School of Business Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

Business Administration in Indigenous Business Leadership

Graduate Diploma

The IBL GDBA, a component of the new Indigenous business leadership executive MBA program, aims to prepare and empower experienced Indigenous leaders, professionals and managers to meet the challenges and pace of today’s changing global business environment. The program includes the core concepts and knowledge covered in most MBA programs while recognizing and incorporating Indigenous worldviews, traditional knowledge, cultural protocols and history throughout the curricula.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in the Graduate General Regulation 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. An undergraduate degree or professional designation and a minimum of five years of applicable work experience is ideal. A two-year diploma with outstanding grades as well as extensive work experience in the Indigenous community in a managerial or professional position will also be taken into consideration.

Program Requirements

The program consists of course work for a minimum of 24 graduate units.

Students must complete 24 units of the following with academic director approval.

BUS 600 - Orientation (0)

The IBL orientation course is an intensive 1-day program for students to meet each other and to develop strategies for academic success. Through experiential learning and team building activities students develop understanding and skills for contributing effectively in team-based learning environment. Students will learn about academic expectations as well as resource support available at SFU. This course is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Only for students in the Indigenous Business Leadership.

BUS 608 - Indigenous Business Leadership and Organization (4)

Explores the topics of organization theory and leadership in developing the potential of Indigenous leadership to drive meaningful change. Topics include intergenerational legacies in Indigenous contexts and leadership capabilities necessary to respond to the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

BUS 609 - Communications in Indigenous Business (4)

Designed to assist Indigenous students in improving their written and verbal communication skills in business settings, this course empowers learners to navigate and master the essentials of effective business communication. Topics covered will include writing efficiency, presentation preparation and practice, analysis of communication challenges, and cultivating the skills needed for successful collaboration.

BUS 613 - Human Resources in Indigenous Business (2)

Considers the HR lifecycle from recruiting to succession planning and how organizations can plan for smooth transitions and organizational change. Responds to the current Human Resource (HR) needs of Indigenous organizations. Provides a comprehensive overview of the HR skills, knowledge, expertise and education required for guiding decision making, strategic planning and resourcing of this functional area. Students with credit for BUS 653 under the title "Managing People and Organizations" may not take this course for further credit.

BUS 614 - Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Indigenous Communities (4)

Explores the development and assessment of ideas and opportunities and considers the impact that Indigenous entrepreneurship can have on supporting and developing Indigenous communities. Discusses how to attract and develop resources to enact ideas and deliver value from identified opportunities. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G400 Sarah Lubik
TBD
BUS 617 - Indigenous Business Ethics (2)

Indigenous business ethics explores the intersection of Indigenous values with business, emphasizing self-expression through storytelling. Delves into ethics and epistemology, crucial for decision-making in various roles. Recognizing diverse cultural frameworks, this course offers tools to understand and navigate complex ethical and epistemological dimensions in business and community contexts.

BUS 619 - Financial Accounting for Leaders in Indigenous Business (4)

Provides an overview of financial accounting through an Indigenous lens. The course emphasizes the use of financial accounting information as a decision-making tool, addresses the limitations of accounting information, and encourages a critical evaluation of choices made in selecting accounting policies. Students will study the financial reporting of a chosen real company or First Nation to understand and interpret the information.

BUS 620 - Managerial Accounting for Leaders in Indigenous Business (4)

Reviews the fundamental concepts of managerial accounting and how information from managerial accounting systems is used in product costing, decision making, and planning, control and performance evaluation within First Nations and public companies.

BUS 622 - Fundamentals of Project Management in Indigenous Organizations (4)

Fundamentals of project management and the roles in successful project leadership. Explores the project management life cycle, proven tools and techniques, and the role of the project manager. Introduces agile approaches to project management and contrasts with traditional approaches. Balances practice and theory while focusing on developing the skills to help Indigenous leaders become effective project managers. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

BUS 626 - Financial and Managerial Accounting for Indigenous Leaders (4)

Considers financial governance, financial and managerial accounting and focuses on how decisions are made within an organization and the importance of planning and controlling functions. Designed for mid-career professionals, community and business leaders, and champions who share a concern for sustainable economic development, ethical business practices, nation-building, and self-determination. Prior knowledge of accounting or exposure to accounting courses is not a prerequisite. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

BUS 653 - Special Topics in Business Administration (2)

Course content varies from term to term. Specific course outlines must receive prior approval of the graduate program committee.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Michael Parent
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Mar 7 – Mar 21, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
SEGAL
SEGAL
SEGAL
SEGAL
SEGAL
SEGAL
BUS 654 - Special Topics in Business Administration (2)

Course content varies from term to term. Specific course outlines must receive prior approval of the graduate program committee.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G400 TBD
BUS 657 - Marketing Strategies for Indigenous Leadership (4)

Explores and advances strategic issues facing marketing decision-makers. Examines marketing approaches in Indigenous and multicultural contexts across a number of industries including government, private sector, entrepreneurial, social enterprise and healthcare. Designed for participants with a range of marketing expertise. A variety of approaches will be employed including seminars, workshops, guest speakers, and teamwork. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

BUS 660 - Special Topics in Business Administration (4)

Course content varies from term to term. Specific course outlines and bibliographies must receive prior approval of the graduate program committee.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G200 TBD
G500 TBD
BUS 661 - Special Topics in Business Administration (4)

Course content varies from term to term. Specific course outlines and bibliographies must receive prior approval of the graduate program committee.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G200 TBD
BUS 665 - Indigenous Policy and Governance (4)

Examines Indigenous legal values and considers their application in governance contexts to promote the resurgence of Indigenous social, political, cultural and economic success. Considers Indigenous legal principles and values and shows that they still exist as resources for decision-making in contemporary circumstances. Discusses how Indigenous law and policies can be reinvigorated and reinvented to enhance governance and policy within Indigenous communities. Considers how corporations and other commercial actors can benefit from understanding, applying and incorporating Indigenous law in their agreements with Indigenous peoples. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G400 John Borrows
TBD
BUS 675 - Indigenous Economies (4)

Indigenous economies goes beyond the economic realm of merely providing sustenance to individuals. The course encompasses global Indigenous worldviews, theories and concepts of Indigenous economy based on traditional principles of wealth and value. Students will acquire an understanding of the philosophical and ethical application of Indigenous economic worldviews. Prerequisite: Only for students in Indigenous Business Leadership.

BUS 679 - Business Strategy for Indigenous Leaders (4)

Business Strategy provides students with the knowledge and tools to become a purpose-driven business leader. This course explores the tools and concepts of strategy, from internal and external analysis and competitive advantage to corporate strategy. We will examine how Indigenous business strategic practices and views can transform firms into catalysts for change. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

BUS 692 - Indigenous Sustainability (4)

Explores strategies as to how Indigenous businesses and organizations can create and foster sustainable economic opportunities. Identifies Indigenous sustainable practices and encompasses the ecological, social, and economic responsibilities of organizations. Alternative philosophies and theories are considered along with corporate responsibility. Explores how modern businesses are re-aligning and reinventing corporate strategies toward more sustainable business models. Prerequisite: Only for students in the IBL EMBA program.

No more than eight units of special topics courses will be permitted.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements within six terms.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.