original born art (OBA)

Original Born Art (OBA) is a new social enterprise launched by Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society that creates a sustainable funding strategy for their Cecemala (Youth) Services Department. KFS launched OBA on May 27th, 2021, in honour of the 215+. OBA increases opportunities for Indigenous youth through culture, employment, mentorship, and art.

From December 2021 to April 2022, OBA worked in collaboration with Enactus through the Okanagan College on a 6-month pilot-test to provide a culturally-safe environment where Indigenous youth could realize their talents and channel their creativity. were encouraged to adopt entrepreneurial competences and strengthen their skill, while being supported through Enactus students and their network for continual growth. Vocational, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building workshops were offered to each OBA participant, along with a combination of traditional and contemporary art. OBA youth were given the opportunity to learn how to establish a ecommerce product line using graphic design, sublimation printing, and heat-press vinyl printing.