Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4  | Season 5 | Season 6

The relationship between economies and social problems in Aboriginal communities is explored.

The numbers are shocking and disturbing – ninety-six suicide attempts in a small coastal village in a matter of months.  Some believe that this heartbreaking plague may have been triggered by the devastating loss of the community’s commercial salmon fishery.  The Ahousaht of Vancouver Island have been using salmon as commerce for thousands of years and now their traditional way of life is gone, causing chaos and hopelessness amongst the people.  We examine just how everything is related when it comes to social problems in Aboriginal communities; poverty, loss of culture, fallout from the residential school experience, and yes, even the disintegration of an economy can be to blame.  This is a story about a people battling to heal from a painful past, while trying to build a whole new future for their people.

Female warriors share powerful personal stories of overcoming great odds to fulfill their dreams. 

We talk with three Aboriginal women from three very different walks of life. What can we learn from a shy woman from a small Ontario reserve who went on to help other Aboriginal women to pursue careers in the Arts?  See how a survivor of trauma and abuse is now using dance to help other women heal, and how she overcame illiteracy to build a successful business.  Meet a former drug addict who is helping Aboriginal women who live on the mean streets of Vancouver’s downtown eastside.  Hear powerful stories of triumph and hope that will touch your heart and build pride in the strength of the mothers and grandmothers of our communities.

Meet two Metis entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the lives of Aboriginal youth.

We take you to Winnipeg, Manitoba, the heart of the Metis Homeland, to meet two Metis entrepreneurs who are making a difference in lives of Aboriginal youth. One entrepreneur was a widow with five children who overcame tremendous odds to create Canada’s largest national publication for and about Aboriginal youth.  The other takes an exciting “rough and tumble” wrestling show with an important anti-drug and alcohol message to Aboriginal communities all over the country.  Aboriginal kids appreciate and love what these creative thinkers have done and you will too! These entrepreneurs have created successful businesses while making the world a better place – what could be more fulfilling?  We’ll show you how they achieved their dreams through sheer determination, a love for their people and most of all…heart!

Meet Aboriginal entrepreneurs who are selling goods and services all around the world!

It’s Exporting and International Trade 101 for Aboriginal entrepreneurs! We introduce you to entrepreneurs who have not only taken their own Aboriginal culture and turned it into a business for themselves…they are using it to teach the world about their people.  Aboriginal arts and culture is a hot commodity around the globe and these savvy entrepreneurs are cashing in, while giving foreigners a glimpse into Canadian Aboriginal life.   You don’t have to be a big corporation to participate in the international marketplace - many small businesses are doing it, too!  We’ll show you some easy marketing techniques that can get the world interested in purchasing your products. 

We explore the migration of Aboriginal peoples to the urban centres and profile some big city businesses. 

Did you know…that over half of all First Nations, Metis and Inuit people live in urban areas? In this episode, we examine how the migration of Aboriginal peoples to large Canadian cities is affecting our Nations.  Yes, there are more opportunities there, but can we successfully pursue a future…without losing sight of the past?  And what about the problems that urban Aboriginal people experience, like poverty and racism – can we overcome these obstacles? Meet urban dwellers who are making the most out of life in the big city by fighting for Aboriginal rights, building businesses, helping their people and pursuing their dreams!

We examine the highly lucrative trend of land leasing ventures on First Nations’ territory.

It’s probably the last place you would expect to see a Superstore or a Wal-Mart, but actually big box stores like these are becoming a common sight on reserve lands.  Why?  Well, it’s profitable and new regulations have made it easier for First Nations to negotiate land leasing deals.  We’ll show you how some BC First Nations are taking control of their land and their futures by bringing luxury resorts, housing developments, and shopping centres on to reserve lands.  We also take you to the BC Interior to visit a community that turned a former residential school into a world-class tourism resort!  Hear how they were able to turn this once negative part of their history into a positive new future for their people.

We re-visit some of the most memorable entrepreneurs profiled on previous seasons of Venturing Forth.

Over the previous five seasons of Venturing Forth, we have profiled several Aboriginal businesses.  Time and time again viewers have inquired about the various entrepreneurs they have seen on the show.  In this episode we speak to some of the more memorable people that appeared on Venturing Forth to answer the question…where are they now?  We re-visit a Coast Salish fashion designer, a Cree multi-millionaire who works in oil and gas, and Haida brothers who build high-end guitars.  We were delighted to hear how their businesses and lives had evolved since we spoke to them last.  In this episode they share their thoughts on success since starting their businesses, and some of the hard-earned lessons they learned along the way!

A look at how entrepreneurs are getting involved in the health and wellness industry, and helping the Aboriginal community to heal.

In this episode we introduce you to Aboriginal people who have made it their business to help others. First, meet Rhonda, a young Aboriginal woman who overcame weight and addiction problems with the help of the ancient art of yoga. It’s the latest fitness craze all across North America! We’ll show you how Rhonda was able to turn her love for yoga into a flourishing business. Then, meet a Cree man who is helping youth to work through sensitive issues such as drug and sexual abuse using drama. Could this healing technique help Aboriginal youth all across the country? And lastly, we meet a young cartoonist who is using his artistic gifts to make comic books for youth. These books are not only appealing to young people, they are educating them on topics such as suicide, diabetes, and sexual health.

A documentary about Aboriginal youth who have turned their passion for the arts into exciting business ventures.

Has anybody ever told you to do something that you absolutely love for a career? In this episode, we introduce you to five extraordinary youth who have taken their passions and turned them into businesses – and each has an incredible story to share. There’s the young woman from the projects, who has turned a negative past filled with poverty and sexual abuse into a positive new future as a professional photographer. There’s the hip hop group that is reaching out to Aboriginal youth through music. And you won’t want to miss “The Baker Twins” whose modeling and acting careers are skyrocketing! These beautiful and smart Carrier-Dene twins show you how confidence and determination can help to get you what you want out of life!

We explore the opportunities for Aboriginal people with the coming of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In just a few short years, tens of thousands of people from every corner of the globe will be coming to British Columbia to celebrate the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An estimated three billion more will watch it on television. And front and centre will be Canada’s Aboriginal people. Why? Well, this marks the first time in the history of the Olympics that Aboriginal people have been involved in the hosting of the Games in such a meaningful way. Not only are Aboriginal participating in the economic benefits of the Games, they are getting involved in the selling of authentic Aboriginal art, the sharing of cultures, tourism and sport amongst others. We examine the opportunities and look at ways in which all Aboriginal Canadians can benefit from this truly “once-in-a-lifetime” event.

Examining how Aboriginal people are changing the future of the province of Saskatchewan.

Did you know…that by the year 2050, about half of the population of Saskatchewan will be of Aboriginal ancestry?  In this episode, we find out what that population boom means for the future of this prairie province and how big of a role Aboriginal youth are going to play in it.  We also visit some of the best ventures being run by Aboriginal people, including one of the most successful Native economic development corporations in the country and a golf course that was named the “Best New Course in Canada” in 2005 by Golf Digest.  And, we introduce you to a savvy seventeen year old Cree entrepreneur who has built a successful calf/cow business on her reserve.

We explore the opportunities available for Aboriginal youth due to a booming Canadian construction industry.

Psst! Looking for a good career that pays well?  Want your skills to be in demand?  Well, the Canadian construction industry is absolutely booming!  There are so many jobs available that companies all across the country are crying out for skilled workers.  In this episode of Venturing Forth, we take a look at a program based out of Vancouver, BC that is training Aboriginal people to get the skills necessary to take advantage of the explosion in construction jobs.   We also introduce you to some Aboriginal youth whose lives are changing for the better because of the opportunities available.

Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4  | Season 5 | Season 6