CARDEN CONSULTING

CA

2005Cultural Scan Musqueam Indian BandCultural Scan and social inclusion planning for the purpose of engaging to potentially develop a Musqueam Cultural Centre

2003-2005Manager (employment contract)Aboriginal Business Service Network BC RegionMs. Mixon established administrative and governance frameworks the ABSN BC. New initiatives developed by the ABSN BC during this time included the Aboriginal Community Economic Development Toolbox and the 2010 Strategy. Additionally, Ms. Mixon also authored the ABSN BC Business Development Training Workbook and Train the Trainer Handbook and co-authored the first BC Aboriginal Business Profile in partnership with Statistics Canada Aboriginal Network.

2000-2003Aboriginal Business DevelopmentSquamish Nation Business Development Services and Small Business Development training for Squamish Nation members.

1997-2003Aboriginal Business DevelopmentTale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital CorporationIn addition to business development services and training, strategic planning facilitation was provided as well as marketing initiatives including web content design and newsletter development. Leading edge tools were also developed including; TACC Aboriginal Business Development Workbook, TACC Aboriginal Youth Camp (Curriculum and Train the Trainer), TACC Personal Financial Management for Aboriginal Youth.

2003Aboriginal Small Business Workshops, Training and Tools for the ABSN BC website 'firstbusiness. ca Canada BC Business Services Society. This project included writing six business plan samples, complete with pro-forma's along with the following workshops; Financing; Aboriginal Joint Ventures; Aboriginal Business On-Reserve; Taxation; GST; Employees on-reserve; On-reserve incorporation; web pop up text for a series of workshop introductions and disclaimers, in six weeks as required by project deadlines.

2003ACT II Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship TrainingSto: lo Nation Act II Summer Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Training curriculum development and training for Sto: lo Nation youth.

2003Residential School Project Tsleil-Waututh Nation Application for Multi-Year Project Funding Aboriginal Healing Foundation

2003Tzeachten First NationTzeachten First Nation The Tzeachten Nation required a drafting of the by-laws and administration for the (First Nations Sales Tax) revenue and community use of funds.

2002Building Aboriginal Entrepreneurial ExcellenceBusiness Development Bank of Canada. This 4 week small business training program also included a train the trainer program for Aboriginal business developers across Canada.

2002Introduction to Community Economic Development Cheam First Nation. At the invitation of Chief and Council Laara Mixon, along with Mike Lewis from the Centre for Community Enterprise, facilitated a two day Introduction to Community Economic Development with the Cheam Nation's Chief and Council.

2002Social Marketing Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIB). This social marketing project included; the development of training and tools for FNIB and the First Nations Chief Health Committee Staff to train trainers to facilitate a series of First Nations Tobacco Reduction Marketing Workshops for First Nation communities throughout BC.

2001Sliammon Community Taxation Program (sub-contract) Sliammon First Nation Development of the Sliammon Taxation Community Program based upon the First Nations sales tax agreement.

2001Aboriginal Tourism Marketing InstructionNative Education CentreContracted faculty to teach the Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Program, as a part of the NEC Diploma Program.

2001Needs Assessment Community Consultation for Aboriginal People with Disabilities for the Central Interior AHRDACommunity Consultation for Aboriginal People with Disabilities to identify Needs as they relate to Employment and Training.

2001Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Community Consultation for the South and Simon Fraser Health Regions for the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society, First Nations Urban Community Society, Mtis Family Services, Arrows to Freedom Cultural Healing SocietyThe Aboriginal Early Childhood Development community consultations were undertaken with parents and caregivers of aboriginal children aged 0-6, and service providers to examine existing services offered through both aboriginal and non-aboriginal agencies in the South and Simon Fraser Regions. The subsequent proposal from these consultations resulted in $.7 million dollars in funding to enhance Aboriginal early childhood services in both health regions.

2001BC Aboriginal Head Start Program 2001 Quarterly Report Analysis Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health BranchA Review of the Major Findings of the Head Start Initiative 1999, 2000 and 2001-03-26 providing a profile of the Head Start Initiative derived from monthly site reports and quarterly progress reports provided by various site operators outlining the overall effectiveness of the Head Start Initiative in various site locations within British Columbia.

2001Governance Training Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Governance Training Workshop for BC Aboriginal Health Start Agencies

2001Culinary Arts Training Program ProposalCircle of Eagles Lodge Society & Musqueam Indian BandProject/Proposal development that was successfully funded ($320, 000) to establish new facilities at UBC.

2001Lilwat Feast House Technical SupportLilwat First Nation Development and Training including; development of the restaurant menu, master recipe book, food costing, daily inventory/prep sheets, staff training.

Laara Mixon possesses extensive expertise in the development of Aboriginal business development tools and training and is responsible for the development many leading edge Aboriginal business development training materials that were designed over eight years, based primarily on feedback from workshop participants and includes:

-Aboriginal Business Service Network BC Region (ABSN BC) Aboriginal Business Development Handbook/ Train the Trainer Handbook -ABSN BC Aboriginal Small Business Profile -Website Content for the ABSN BC website firstbusiness. ca including writing six business plan samples, complete with pro-forma's along with the following workshops; Financing; Aboriginal Joint Ventures; Aboriginal Business On-Reserve; Taxation; GST; Employees on-reserve; On-reserve incorporation; web pop up text for a series of workshop introductions and disclaimers, in six weeks as required by project deadlines. -Business Development Bank of Canada four week Building Aboriginal Excellence Entrepreneurship Training Program & Train the Trainer Handbook TACC Business Development Workshop (cited as a best practice by WD in 2001) -Sto: lo ACT II Aboriginal Youth Self-Employment Training Program -TACC Personal Financial Management for Aboriginal Youth -TACC Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp -Needs Assessment Community Consultation for Aboriginal People with Disabilities for the Central Interior AHRDA (primarily for self-employment) -Volunteer for Junior Achievement Canada.

'I have and will certainly continue to recommend you to anyone who needs a first-rate business consultant.'

• Karla Barton, McBurney Junction & Biggie Best

'Laara displays many positive professional qualities. She is an excellent researcher, well-versed, committed and addresses people in a culturally sensitive manner. Laara goes beyond her work duties to make people feel comfortable and empower her clients. I would certainly recommend Laara's services in the future and look forward to sharing more interactions with her.'

• Lyla Brown, B. S. W. Yoet Yoes Orca Childcare

'I would like to let you know that I find Laara to be a pleasure to do business with. Laara has a talent for dealing with difficult situations of all natures and I feel that she has a great future ahead of her. As a board member with Tale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation I have worked with Laara for the past six years. I also own my own business, which Laara has helped me to develop with some much needed strategic planning and good financial advice.

She is a bright and talented individual that would be an asset to any endeavor that she takes on. Laara is also loyal to her clients and will not leave a job unfinished. Her quality of work is exceptional and I look forward to working with her again.'

• Rosilee Wilson, TACC Director

'Laara has provided small business counselling services to our clients for approximately six years. During the course of her activities she conducted business development workshops and provided our clients with on-going mentorship. Ms. Carden has always conducted herself in a professional manner. As a result, I have received several comments from clients who have found her most helpful.

I trust you accept this letter as a wholehearted endorsement on her behalf.'

• Wayne Gray, General Manager TACC (2002)

'If I ever have any more business to be done I will definitely hire Laara. I have also referred her consulting business to many other entrepreneurs. '

• Denise Sparrow, Salishan Catering

541611, 914110