Compete for a share of $10,000
Real prizes for the teams with the strongest, most grounded recommendations.
Attend Forward Summit
Complimentary access to Alberta’s leading Indigenous economic reconciliation conference, May 13–14.
Work that matters
The cases are real. The audience has the authority to act. Your recommendations don’t go in a drawer.
About the Program
The Seven Generations Challenge is a collaborative program delivered in partnership between Canada Bridges, Forward Summit, Mount Royal University Iniskim Centre, and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University.
The challenge is developed in collaboration with community and industry partners, with a focus on real-world questions connected to reconciliation, community priorities, and long-term impact.
The program is open to:
- Indigenous youth ages 18–35 from Treaty 7 - you do not need to be enrolled at a partner institution. Every program and background is welcome. You need to care about how things could be different and be willing to bring that into a room where it can make a difference. Reach out to Canada Bridges if you’d like to speak with someone before applying.
- Non-Indigenous students enrolled at Mount Royal University, SAIT, and University of Calgary - any program, any year. Reconciliation is not only Indigenous work. Your participation, done well, is part of what makes this real rather than symbolic. Come ready to listen first.
Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams, bringing together different lived experiences, skill sets, and perspectives.
Experience the Seven Generations Challenge
- The first day belongs to community. Elders and Knowledge Keepers lead an opening ceremony, story circles, games, and food. You will meet your teammates and begin to understand the challenge you’ll work on together. Nothing competitive is introduced until the relational foundation is in place.
- Receive your live case brief and spend May 12 in deep research and team work, with facilitation and mentorship support throughout.
- Present on May 14 at Forward Summit to an Indigenous Youth Panel and industry judges. Your presentation must incorporate a traditional way of knowing — storytelling, art, written narrative, or community conversation.
- Walk away with Forward Summit access, documented work experience, professional references, and connections with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and peers.
Program schedule available for download soon.
Applications close May 8 at midnight.
Program details
Dates
Participants are expected to attend the full program:
- Application Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026 at midnight
- Community Day: Monday, May 11
- Research and Build: Tuesday, May 12
- Attend Forward Summit: May 13–14
- Final Presentations: May 14 at Forward Summit
Monday will include a mix of structured sessions, teamwork time, and breaks.Tuesday - Thursday are unstructured but include scheduled check-ins.
A detailed schedule will be shared with accepted participants.
Program requirements
- Indigenous youth ages 18–35 from Treaty 7
- Non-Indigenous students enrolled at Mount Royal University, SAIT, and University of Calgary
- $10,000 may be awarded to winners, with additional honoraria available
- All four days are required for prize eligibility
- No prior competition or business experience needed
- Every discipline welcome
Apply as an individual. Every team of four includes two Indigenous youth and two non-Indigenous students.
Apply for the Seven Generations Challenge
Applications close on Friday, May 8, 2026 at midnight.
What to Expect
This is an immersive, four-day experience that blends learning, collaboration, and applied problem-solving.
Over the course of the program, participants can expect:
- Interactive workshops and guided sessions
- Team-based collaboration on a real-world challenge
- Opportunities to engage with Indigenous perspectives and community-informed contexts
- Time for reflection, discussion, and iteration
- A final team presentation at Forward Summit
The experience is designed to be active and participatory. You will be working closely with others, contributing ideas, and building toward a shared outcome.
Program Environment & Support
This program engages with topics related to reconciliation, community, and lived experience. Some discussions may be complex or personally meaningful.
We aim to create a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants.
- Participation is encouraged, and you are always able to step back from an activity if needed
- You are not required to share personal experiences or perspectives
- Support will be available throughout the program
- Quiet space and breaks will be available
- Accessibility needs can be accommodated - please let us know in advance
Get in contact
Diana Grant-Richmond
Program Manager
If you’re an Indigenous youth wondering whether this program is for you, please reach out. We’d rather have that conversation than have you quietly decide not to apply.
Diana brings 20 years of experience across finance, energy, and entrepreneurship education and is always available for a conversation — whether you have questions about the program, want to explore how your organization might contribute a case, or just want to understand what this is before applying.
For additional information on our other programs, contact us at innovate@mtroyal.ca.
Fill out the application form to apply. If you require any support with filling out your application, email program manager Diana Grant-Richmond at dgrantrichmond@mtroyal.ca for assistance.
Complete the application form with the necessary details and confirm your availability for all mandatory sessions. Attendance in all sessions is required for prize eligibility. If you have any questions about the application, reach out to Diana Grant-Richmond at dgrantrichmond@mtroyal.ca.
Students that apply and participate in our programs see a significant increase in their personal and professional growth. By participating in our program, you’ll be exposed to new ways of thinking and business concepts that aren’t taught in a classroom, which can be instrumental in shaping your future endeavors. You’ll have the chance to work on an idea you are passionate about and learn from others who are on the same journey as you.
We seek imaginative individuals eager to explore innovation, acquire career-enhancing skills, and make a positive impact on the world. If this resonates with you, apply now!
To qualify, you must be a full-time or part-time MRU student enrolled in a degree or transfer program with good academic standing. Unfortunately, open studies students are ineligible for our programming. However, we warmly welcome you to join our community events and benefit from our mentoring and coaching services, extended to students campus-wide.
We are happy to accept applications from individuals but you will form teams later based on a chosen problem statement. We do not guarantee that friends will be accepted or work together.
No. The program is designed for students from all disciplines and levels of experience. We’ll teach you the basics of innovation and entrepreneurship at the kickoff session.
Our inclusive approach values diverse perspectives and knowledge, making it the perfect fit for students with varying degrees of business experience. Rest assured, your background and expertise will be highly appreciated and contribute significantly to your team’s success.
You do not need business expertise to take part - sometimes less is more!
This is not an internship; rather, it’s a transformative work-integrated learning experience where you’ll collaborate with a team to collectively tackle a sustainable business challenge. This opportunity allows you to enrich your resume with invaluable hands-on experience, positioning you strongly for future internships or post-graduation positions.
Yes - we love both previous program participants and new applicants!