Facilitated by the World Trade University and the Institute for Leadership Development, the World Summit for Indigenous Entrepreneurs (WSIE), held in August 2003, was the first conference of its kind. It also provided the platform for the 9th World Summit of Young Entrepreneurs.

The WSIE was held in honour of the United Nations Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. Delegates from 38 countries around the world participated. The Summit was intended to provide a global forum for indigenous entrepreneurs from around the world as well as other entrepreneurs who wish to do business with indigenous people. Goals included helping indigenous entrepreneurs understand how the exchange of business ideas could work at an international level. A key desired outcome was for delegates to leverage what they learned to “up-skill and encourage their community to take charge of their own interests". The Summit was also an opportunity for delegates to identify people and resources that might help them establish their business.

WSIE's program included plenary sessions by experts in various fields and several hands-on interactive workshops to provide participants with the opportunity to network and make contacts, advertise their products and services and explore joint venture opportunities. The next WSIE is scheduled to be held in Vancouver in Fall of 2005 as an integral part of the World Trade Forum, a UN Global Partnership Mechanism.

Watch a video interview with a successful indigenous entrepreneur who attended WSIE! (see it here...)