I’d like to give back to the Indigenous community by creating project management awareness in local First Nation schools, especially for teens. Beyond sharing my own journey, what fun and engaging activities would you recommend sparking their interest in project management as a career? Some ideas please. Thank you! Miigweetch! Saving Changes...
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
What a beautiful initiative. Here are some brief and attractive ideas:
- Mini community projects: that they design and lead themselves, such as organizing a school event or improving a local space.
- Role-playing games: simulate project teams with real challenges (budget, time, resources).
- Visual storytelling: tell stories of indigenous leaders using visual management tools.
- Workshops with apps: use simple digital tools to plan projects (such as Trello or Canva).
- Intergenerational mentoring: connect teens with local leaders already applying management in their communities.
...
1 reply by Akin Fadare
Sep 11, 2025 8:23 PM
Akin Fadare
...
Fabian Crosa, Thank you for taking the time to think and provide these creative ideas. It will definitely come in handy. Thanks!
What a beautiful initiative. Here are some brief and attractive ideas:
- Mini community projects: that they design and lead themselves, such as organizing a school event or improving a local space.
- Role-playing games: simulate project teams with real challenges (budget, time, resources).
- Visual storytelling: tell stories of indigenous leaders using visual management tools.
- Workshops with apps: use simple digital tools to plan projects (such as Trello or Canva).
- Intergenerational mentoring: connect teens with local leaders already applying management in their communities.
Fabian Crosa, Thank you for taking the time to think and provide these creative ideas. It will definitely come in handy. Thanks! Saving Changes...
Pham Van PhuongProject Manager| FUJI CAC JOINT STOCK COMPANYHo Chi Minh, Viet Nam
Hi Akin Fadare;
I’d like to share an idea for a practical classroom approach called:
Mini Project – Learning by Doing
1. Initiation
Subject-based theme: Literature, History, Physics, Biology, Geography, Technology, etc.
Deliverable-oriented: instead of just exercises, students produce something tangible (poster, model, video, exhibition, kit, short play, etc.).
Teacher acts as Client / Project Sponsor.
2. Project Structure
Group size: 4–6 students.
Roles (across subjects):
Project Manager (PM): plan, timeline, coordination.
Researcher: gather info and subject knowledge.
Creator/Designer: produce the deliverable.
Presenter: prepare and deliver the final presentation.
Logistics/Procurement: handle materials/resources.
4. Deliverables
Main product (poster, model, kit, video, performance, etc.).
Group project plan (timeline, roles, resources).
Final presentation (5–10 min).
Short learning report (1–2 pages: subject knowledge + teamwork/PM skills).
5. Subject Applications
Literature/History: mini-exhibition on a legend, re-enactment, short play.
Physics/Technology: demo kit, bridge model, mini robot, simple experiment.
Biology: ecosystem model, hydroponic garden, life-cycle poster.
Geography: 3D map, documentary video, climate change poster.
Mathematics: puzzle game, applied math model (budgeting, architectural design).
Arts/Music: original song, art exhibition, event logo design.
...
1 reply by Akin Fadare
Sep 12, 2025 8:56 AM
Akin Fadare
...
Pham Van Phuong
I love the way you came up with a mini project and a 4-week cycle. That is impressive. You showcase that you are either an instructor or a professional educator. Thank you for the detailed deliverables, which include some icing on the cake - the subject application. Thank you! Gracias!
Akin
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Akin Fadare What a meaningful and generous initiative.
Thank you for sharing it. Miigweetch!
One of the most powerful ways to inspire young people (especially in Indigenous communities) is to honor what they already know and do.
What if we start by reframing familiar activities as real projects?
- Organizing a village festival
- Preparing a child’s birthday
- Building a traditional oven
- Coordinating a community event or ceremony
These are all projects in action with scope, time, people, risks, and impact.
Naming them as such helps teens realize: “Wait, I’ve done this. I know this.” That’s empowering.
Here are some simple, fun activity ideas:
- "Design a Project in a Day" Challenge – Let students build a mini project around something meaningful in their community.
Use visual boards, simple templates, and team collaboration.
- Role Play: PM for a Day – Assign roles (PM, sponsor, stakeholder) and simulate challenges like delays or change requests.
It becomes real fast, and fun!
- "What Is a Project?" Circle – Ask them to name initiatives they’ve seen in their families or communities.
You’ll be surprised how many project principles are already there.
- Agile Games (e.g. Kanban with local tasks) – Visualize how to move tasks forward.
Preparing a powwow or a cooking day becomes a sprint!
Elders + Project Lessons – Invite elders to share how they planned, resolved conflicts, coordinated people.
Then connect that to PM language and practices.
The key is not just teaching project management, it's showing that project thinking is already alive in their culture.
We’re just giving them new tools and vocabulary to own it.
Wishing you much success on this journey - it’s not just about future PMs, it’s about honoring present wisdom and sparking leadership with deep roots. Saving Changes...
How about inviting elders from different indigenous communities to share through stories how common PM practices or principles were applied in the past? I would also suggest that highlighting sustainable PM practices & principles might resonate.
Yes, inviting elders to the presentation is almost mandatory, as we always need elders’ blessing/prayer before even opening any ceremony. Elders and Tobacco go hand in hand. Sustainability is non-negotiable, as waste management is almost nonexistent in Indigenous communities. Sustainable projects and practices will be advantageous. Thank you!
Hi Akin Fadare;
I’d like to share an idea for a practical classroom approach called:
Mini Project – Learning by Doing
1. Initiation
Subject-based theme: Literature, History, Physics, Biology, Geography, Technology, etc.
Deliverable-oriented: instead of just exercises, students produce something tangible (poster, model, video, exhibition, kit, short play, etc.).
Teacher acts as Client / Project Sponsor.
2. Project Structure
Group size: 4–6 students.
Roles (across subjects):
Project Manager (PM): plan, timeline, coordination.
Researcher: gather info and subject knowledge.
Creator/Designer: produce the deliverable.
Presenter: prepare and deliver the final presentation.
Logistics/Procurement: handle materials/resources.
4. Deliverables
Main product (poster, model, kit, video, performance, etc.).
Group project plan (timeline, roles, resources).
Final presentation (5–10 min).
Short learning report (1–2 pages: subject knowledge + teamwork/PM skills).
5. Subject Applications
Literature/History: mini-exhibition on a legend, re-enactment, short play.
Physics/Technology: demo kit, bridge model, mini robot, simple experiment.
Biology: ecosystem model, hydroponic garden, life-cycle poster.
Geography: 3D map, documentary video, climate change poster.
Mathematics: puzzle game, applied math model (budgeting, architectural design).
Arts/Music: original song, art exhibition, event logo design.
Pham Van Phuong
I love the way you came up with a mini project and a 4-week cycle. That is impressive. You showcase that you are either an instructor or a professional educator. Thank you for the detailed deliverables, which include some icing on the cake - the subject application. Thank you! Gracias!
How about inviting elders from different indigenous communities to share through stories how common PM practices or principles were applied in the past? I would also suggest that highlighting sustainable PM practices & principles might resonate.
Yes, inviting elders to the presentation is almost mandatory, as we always need elders’ blessing/prayer before even opening any ceremony. Elders and Tobacco go hand in hand. Sustainability is non-negotiable, as waste management is almost nonexistent in Indigenous communities. Sustainable projects and practices will be advantageous. Thank you!
Community Champion
