Wakopa Financial Worker's Co-operative

Brent Wennekes's field placement involved working with Wakopa and its partners to develop a comprehensive survey report aimed at advancing opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs seeking capital. A team of three interns, including a PhD student in Economics, an Indigenous PhD candidate, and an Indigenous MBA student, collaborated on data cleaning, visualization, analysis, report writing, and design. The report, intended for an external foundation and the broader public, involved extensive research and numerous interviews, culminating in prototype solutions to address barriers faced by Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Strategic planning for future pilot projects and exploring applied research opportunities were key components of the placement, highlighting the importance of balancing qualitative and quantitative methods and leveraging a strong academic and professional network.