They look like they have been out in the forest for decades, but “new” rustic wooden signs are in big demand designed for places like Arizona Nordic Village, vacation rentals, visitor centers and individuals who want a reminder of some place important to them, like Imogene. Popular as they are, these are much more than place locators or souvenirs. These are tangible signs of business and woodworking skills.
The Center for Native Business Development on Cedar Avenue in the Sunnyside neighborhood has been launched by Indian Bible College. An RV carport has been converted to a woodworking shop where Native students are learning what it takes to be entrepreneurs as well as honing their handcrafting talent.
“After graduation, many of our students will return to their reservations for ministry,” said Douglas D. Hanson, IBC director of development. “Unfortunately, it will be difficult for them to make a living from ministry on the reservations since churches are small and resources are limited. To better prepare them, Indian Bible College started a vocational program to train students in entrepreneurial and business skills so that they can be bi-vocational.”
Students take courses such as Ministry Funding Strategies, Personal Finance, Basic Life Skills, Applied Math and Finance and Creative Ministry Methods to train them in entrepreneurial and business skills.
For several years, Indian Bible College (IBC) students had been developing vocational skills in an off-site workshop in Doney Park. They learned how to produce and market products under the name of “5th Wind.” Products made by the students include weathered replica trail signs such as “Flagstaff, Elevation 7,000 ft.” The rustic wooden signs are sold at farmer’s markets, online through Etsy and in retail outlets in Northern Arizona such as Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters, Designs West and Flagstaff General Store. Through the 5th Wind program, students learn business and entrepreneurial skills while adding an income stream.
The opening of the Center for Native Business Development facility on campus now makes it more convenient for students to take part in the program. The on-site workshop makes it easier for those students who do not have transportation and for those who were commuting to Doney Park half an hour each way. In the new facility, students continue to make wooden signs marketed under the 5th Wind name.
“Our objectives are that students understand the process of entrepreneurship, and that they can take that understanding back to their reservations,” said John Childs, who teaches the Ministry Funding Strategies course and heads up 5th Wind. “I want to give them a feel for entrepreneurship, so they are thinking about developing other products. It’s not simply about making signs.”
Childs explains what the name, Fifth Wind, means. “Native cultures, the four directions and sometimes the four winds significantly represent the wholeness of life/earth. The Fifth Wind is another wind that is blowing across Native land with a Christian bent (our invention). From the book of John, we read that Jesus talks of how the wind blows without knowing from where it comes or where it goes. In the same way, the Spirit of God moves. We sense and hope God’s Spirit is moving in Native culture.”
Not only do students learn about marketing and production costs, but they also get hand-on skills such as running routers, drill presses and band saws when they create made-to-order wooden signs. The signs can be ordered and purchased online at Etsy at http://bit.ly/5Wind.
“One Colorado conference center ordered signs for each of their conference rooms,” said Hanson. Other 5th Wind customers have ordered the rustic “trail” signs with their marriage or birth dates, or their favorite trail or town name complete with elevation.
“People that own VRBOs are ordering signs to name their homes or to use as décor. A sign reading, “Grand Canyon 57 miles” with an arrow gives guest a feel for where they are and a sense of place in the space they are in,” added Childs. “We just got an order from a company that shuttles hikers to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix. They want to sell the signs on their website.” The new Center for Native Business Development will make it easier to fulfill such orders.
The RV carport was converted into a woodworking facility throughout this past summer by volunteer workgroups that came from churches around the country. People came from as far away as Maryland, Indiana, California and Oregon to help with various stages of construction. Local individuals also helped with the conversion efforts. The Arizona Community Foundation Flagstaff awarded the project a $1,515 grant.
More than 10 tribes, including Navajo, Dakota and Zuni are represented by 19 students at IBC this fall. The college located on Cedar Avenue in Flagstaff was founded in 1958 to train Native leaders. The mission is to educate indigenous Native Christians for lifetimes of ministry and leadership to their people and the world. IBC is the only non-denominational bible college for Native Americans in the United States.
“I’m excited because if the students grasp marketing and selling products on the web, they’ll have an income stream for the rest of their lives,” said Hanson. FBN
By Stacey Wittig, FBN
Center for Native Business Development
Indian Bible College
2337 E Cedar Avenue
Flagstaff, Arizona
866-503-7789
View or buy 5th Wind signs online:
Photo by Stacey Wittig
