We are excited to announce that Josh Courtoreille, a promising young Tahltan student, has been accepted into the Seventh Cohort of the Harvard Business School Executive Certificate Program, “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” next month at the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Image: Josh Courtoreille, a Tahltan student currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Northwestern Polytechnic, has been accepted into Harvard Business School’s Executive Certificate Program
A Remarkable Opportunity
Josh, currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Northwestern Polytechnic, will join Indigenous students from around the world in this intensive executive education program.
“I am certainly excited to have the opportunity to study on the Harvard campus in Boston and be able to meet and connect with the people involved and with other Indigenous learners from across the globe,” Josh shared when we asked how he feels about this achievement.
A Global Indigenous Gathering
The program brings together an impressive delegation of Indigenous leaders:
- 52 participants from Canada, including Josh
- Three Australian Indigenous delegates
- Six Māori delegates from Aotearoa/New Zealand
- Two youth delegates (sponsored by Nutrien and the Indigenous Learning Centre)
- 40 tribal members from the United States
The global gathering offers a unique networking opportunity, allowing for the exchange of ideas and best practices in Indigenous community and economic development.
Josh’s Journey
When asked how the opportunity came about, Josh emphasized how it’s helped to connect with opportunities for Education & Training through TCG:
“This would not have been possible without the TCG youth programs. They allowed me to connect with other Tahltans that I wouldn’t have met otherwise, and through them, I was able to meet our Education & Training Director Stacey Hanik, get to know her, and build a great relationship with her. She has been a catalyst for this opportunity as she made me aware of the executive certificate program and was gracious enough to write me a wonderful recommendation letter.”
Representing Tahltan Nation with Pride
Josh recognizes the significance of representing the Tahltan Nation at such a gathering:
“I am also excited, if not a bit anxious, to be the person who gets to represent my Nation at an institution as prestigious as this. I will try my best to make the Tahltan Nation proud and show what we are capable of and that we are strong, resilient, and smart people.
I do hope that someday in the future I can be an integral part of our Nation and give back to our community in some capacity as it has given so much to me. Whether this be through work, leadership, or some other position, I want to be a part of the future of the Tahltan Nation. The education I am getting and this program will certainly help me better my skills so I can be able to do that someday.”
Advice for Fellow Tahltans
Josh offers these words of encouragement to other Tahltan members seeking similar opportunities:
“It may sound cliche, but don’t be afraid to put yourself out there as you never know what will come of it. Most of the opportunities I have been afforded have come just by throwing my hat in the ring and having a good attitude while doing so. Learning to step outside your comfort zone is something I’d encourage, I’m still working on being better at it but whenever I do I gain something from it.”
He also emphasizes the importance of going for such opportunities:
“Take advantage of every resource that is offered to you, whether it be from the TCG or other bodies. They are there to support you and help you on your path towards success.”
Supporting Our Youth
The Tahltan Central Government continues to prioritize educational and professional development opportunities for all members. Josh’s acceptance into this program highlights the importance of maintaining strong youth initiatives within our Nation. Such programs help us connect with youth and students and continue to assist along their career paths.
We look forward to the knowledge and perspectives Josh will bring back after completing this program.
For more information about educational and training opportunities and youth programs within the Tahltan Nation, please contact the TCG Education & Training Department.