Wiikwemkoong First Nation business based in Toronto, Ontario wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 1, 2026, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts Turtle Island’s premier Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC and Mastercard, announced Siera Hancharyk, Anishinaabe founder of Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market, a business based in Toronto, Ontario, as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Consumer Products & Retail Semi-Final Winner. Siera Hancharyk has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.
More than 120 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) were selected as Semi-Finalists in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Each received training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges, competing for the chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. Nine Consumer Products & Retail Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their business in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.
Judges included Jake Carey, Investment Advisor at RBC; Yan Duan, Consultant, Specialized Product Delivery at Mastercard; Mélanie Bendard, Co-owner at MINI TIPI; and Jasmine Chan, Director, Risk at Aritzia.
“I’m still in shock. When I found out, I cried tears of joy and hope,” said Siera Hancharyk, Founder of Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market. “I’m most excited to keep building something for our people in urban areas. There is so much talent in our communities, and I want to see us represented. I want to see our faces, our art, our languages and our stories taking up space.”
Siera Hancharyk, founder of Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market, is a grassroots, youth-led travelling pop-up market that creates opportunities for verified Indigenous artists, makers, designers, and entrepreneurs to showcase and sell authentic Indigenous-made goods. Now expanding into the Three Sisters Indigenous Collective, the organization is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices, creating educational, fun, safe, and affordable spaces, and bringing communities together while supporting Indigenous small businesses.
In her pitch, Siera shared her vision of taking Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market from a travelling pop-up to a permanent space in Toronto. If she wins the $25,000 Grand Prize, she plans to put the funding toward opening a storefront and community hub, helping cover rent and startup costs such as shelving, equipment and marketing, while also supporting programming for the community. The permanent space would give Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs a consistent place to showcase their work, while creating a space where community can gather, learn and connect.
“Don’t give up. If you knew that all those ‘no’s’ would eventually lead you to a ‘yes,’ you’d be excited to tell people about every person who said no to you,” shared Siera Hancharyk. “You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just have to try. I hope other Indigenous entrepreneurs know they are capable of building something meaningful, even if they’re still figuring it out along the way.”
The judges congratulated Siera for her clear vision to create more opportunities for Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs through community-driven markets and events. They were impressed by her thoughtful plans for growth, her commitment to creating authentic spaces for Indigenous vendors, and the strong community focus at the heart of her business.
“Congratulations to Siera Hancharyk on advancing to the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Her dedication to uplifting Indigenous creators and celebrating authentic Indigenous craftsmanship is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market continue to grow.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Consumer Products & Retail category. Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak, was recognized by the judges for the remarkable progress she has made since winning the 2025 Semi-Finals Startup category. An artist and storyteller from Samson Cree Nation, Shyanne creates handcrafted dolls inspired by the Cree Little People that help reconnect children and families with Indigenous stories and teachings.
“We’re committed to playing a role in paving a path forward for Indigenous entrepreneurs, exemplified by our support of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Brittanee Laverdure, Director, Truth and Reconciliation Office, RBC Origins. “Pow Wow Pitch offers a holistic support system to power the next generation of Indigenous innovators across Turtle Island, including this year’s participants and semi-finalists.”
“The creativity, determination, and ambition demonstrated by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been truly inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “We’re proud to work alongside partners like Pow Wow Pitch by mentoring pitchers, representing Mastercard’s commitment to help remove barriers and open pathways to growth and economic opportunity. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their business ideas, entrepreneurial journeys, and stories, and a special congratulations to Siera Hancharyk for advancing to the next round.”
To watch Siera’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Consumer Products & Retail Semi-Final episode, click here.
Siera Hancharyk will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 21, 2026. Register to watch the 2026 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.