Caroline Fletcher: Uplifting Indigenous women and youth through Kingdom Beads
Caroline Fletcher, a proud Moose Cree First Nation entrepreneur based in Timmins, Ontario, is creating more than jewelry. She is building a path to healing and empowerment through her business, Kingdom Beads. Born from lived experience and a deep desire to support her community, Kingdom Beads exists to serve the spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing of Indigenous women and youth.
Caroline sees Kingdom Beads as a bridge between creative expression and intergenerational healing. The jewelry sold today is the foundation for a much larger vision to provide therapeutic art workshops that support mental health, promote healing, and equip others with tools for resilience and self sufficiency. “We want to help Indigenous women and youth navigate trauma and crisis by connecting them to traditional Indigenous forms of art and expression,” Caroline shares. Whether through beadwork, carving, or community based dialogue, every piece contributes to culturally grounded healing.
Kingdom Beads began with a soft launch in 2024 and has already made meaningful connections through local vendor markets and a showcase during Creefest 2025. With every sale, Caroline continues to build momentum and grow her reach. A website is in development to make her work more accessible, and her vision is growing. Every item she creates carries stories of strength, survival, and identity. Although early in its journey, Kingdom Beads is already planting seeds of change and creating space for Indigenous voices to shine through art.
Caroline chose to apply to Pow Wow Pitch with a goal to learn more about entrepreneurship and connect with others on a similar path. “I wanted to learn from other Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs,” she explains. For Caroline, this experience was not just about business—it was about community, growth, and learning through shared stories and knowledge. The opportunity gave her the confidence to take the next steps in building something lasting.
As a Semi Finalist, Caroline was paired with Jane Song, an RBC mentor, who provided thoughtful feedback and suggestions that helped her refine her pitch and develop her business. “She supported me by helping me see areas I could improve,” Caroline reflects. The mentorship process was both practical and encouraging, and it helped her gain clarity on how to move forward in her entrepreneurial journey. She is grateful for the guidance and believes it helped her step into her role as both an artist and business owner.
Caroline offers this advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Do not be afraid to start small. Just start. You will eventually find your footing.” Her journey is proof that beginnings do not have to be perfect to be powerful. With Kingdom Beads, she is showing how art can be a source of healing, income, and transformation. By investing in herself and her community, Caroline is helping others see their own strength and reminding them that their stories matter.Watch Caroline as she pitches Kingdom Beads in the Knowledge Services category airing on September 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET. Click here to see all episodes: powwowpitch.org/episodes.