Cynthia Bell: Revitalizing Anishinaabemowin through Giiwednangoonhs Productions
Cynthia Bell, a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation Unceded Territory and the owner of Giiwednangoonhs Productions based in Toronto, Ontario, is creating more than educational resources. She is helping preserve and revitalize Anishinaabemowin while creating meaningful opportunities for children, families, schools, and organizations to reconnect with Indigenous language and culture.
Through Giiwednangoonhs Productions, Cynthia creates culturally authentic language and educational resources designed to make learning engaging, accessible, and affordable. Her offerings include interactive products, workshops, language instruction, and cultural consulting, all developed with the guidance of knowledge carriers, fluent speakers, and educators.
Cynthia founded the business out of a deep desire to protect language and culture for future generations. “As an entrepreneur, I see my business as more than just creating products, it is about helping protect and revitalize our language for future generations,” she shares. With Indigenous languages facing significant decline, Cynthia is motivated to create resources that make language learning something families can experience and enjoy together.
Giiwednangoonhs Productions has grown into a successful business serving families, educators, and organizations through interactive language resources, including talking plush animals and educational materials. By working alongside knowledge carriers and fluent Anishinaabemowin speakers, Cynthia ensures that the resources she develops are culturally authentic, respectful, and rooted in Anishinaabe traditions.
For Cynthia, every product represents an opportunity to strengthen cultural identity and community pride. Every word preserved and every child who learns even a few phrases contributes to a larger movement of language revitalization. Through her work, she hopes to help ensure that Anishinaabemowin and the culture connected to it continue to thrive for generations to come.
Cynthia chose to apply to Pow Wow Pitch because she saw an opportunity to strengthen her entrepreneurial skills while connecting with other Indigenous business owners who share a passion for creating positive change. Participating in the virtual Pow Wow Pitch program gave her valuable knowledge, confidence, and inspiration. The experience reinforced her vision of expanding culturally authentic language and cultural resources across Canada.
Her greatest mentors have been her mother, Betty Bell, along with the Elders, fluent Anishinaabemowin speakers, and knowledge teachers in her community. They have shared their language, teachings, cultural knowledge, and life experiences, helping Cynthia ensure that everything she creates remains authentic and respectful. “Without their patience, wisdom, and encouragement, Giiwednangoonhs Productions would not exist in the way it does today,” Cynthia reflects.
Cynthia offers this advice to Indigenous people thinking about starting a business: “Believe in yourself, trust your vision, and never give up.” She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to stay connected to their culture, seek guidance from Elders, mentors, and community members, and never be afraid to ask for help or continue learning. For Cynthia, building a successful business means creating something that reflects your values and makes a positive difference for future generations.
With Giiwednangoonhs Productions, Cynthia is showing how entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for language revitalization, cultural connection, and Indigenous economic development. Her work is helping make Anishinaabemowin more accessible to the next generation and reminding communities that every word preserved is a step toward keeping language, culture, and identity alive.
Watch Cynthia as she pitches Giiwednangoonhs Productions in the Knowledge Services category airing on September 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET. Click here to see all episodes: powwowpitch.org/episodes.