Garden River First Nation business based in Garden River First Nation, Ontario wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 2, 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 Jada Belleau, Garden River First Nation Owner and Operator of Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery, a business based in Garden River First Nation, Ontario, as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Sustainability Semi-Final Winner. Jada 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 Sustainability Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their businesses in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.
Judges included Chris Hunt, Director, Indigenous Commercial Financial Services at RBC; Harvinder Pal Singh, Director, Technical Program Manager at Mastercard; and Katherine Soler, Account Executive & Newcomer Program Lead at Altis Recruitment.
“I was in shock and immediately felt so much joy! I’m incredibly proud and excited to be recognized in the Sustainability category because caring for the land and water is at the heart of Gookom’s Cabinet.” said Jada Belleau, Owner and Operator of Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery. “I’m most excited to grow the Gookom’s Cabinet refillery family and build a strong community around sustainable living. I want to bring accessible refill options and education to more Indigenous, rural, and surrounding communities, helping people make choices that care for the land and water. I would like to thank my family, all of my supporters both new and old, my mentor, and the Pow Wow Pitch organizers.”
Jada Belleau, Owner and Operator of Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery, is an entrepreneur from Garden River First Nation creating a more convenient way for people to reduce waste in their everyday lives. Through her mobile refillery, Jada brings refill options directly to customers, helping make lower-waste shopping more accessible while encouraging the reuse of containers and a shift away from single-use packaging.
In her pitch, Jada shared her plans to expand the reach of Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery. If she wins the $25,000 Grand Prize, she plans to use the funding to convert a high-roof cargo van into a mobile refillery, allowing her to travel further, operate year-round, and bring sustainable shopping options to more communities.
“Never give up and believe in yourself, even when others may not”. shared Jada. “If you’re truly passionate about something, don’t let that fire burn out. Stay connected to your purpose, keep moving forward, and trust in what you’re building even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned”.
The judges congratulated Jada for her strong presentation and the practical solution she has created through Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery. They were impressed by her approach to making sustainable choices easier and more accessible for customers, as well as her vision for growing a business that helps reduce everyday waste in her community.
“Congratulations to Jada Belleau on advancing to the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Through Gookom’s Cabinet Mobile Refillery, Jada is showing how sustainability can be built into the choices we make every day. By bringing refill options directly to her customers, she is making it easier for people to reduce waste while building a business that reflects care for the land and future generations. We are excited to see where she takes Gookom’s Cabinet next.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Sustainability industry category. Sherry Greene, Founder of Askiy Eco Distribution, was recognized for her strong vision for creating more sustainable options for businesses and communities. The judges appreciated her commitment to reducing plastic waste, strengthening Indigenous supply chains, and creating practical alternatives that help businesses make more sustainable choices.
“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 Jada Belleau for advancing to the next round.”
To watch Jada’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Sustainability Semi-Final episode, click here.
Jada 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.