2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards
November 9, 2023 | Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, co-presented by RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard in partnership with Export Development Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, presented Michelle Bernier from Selik First Nation with the RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award at the Third Annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards.
Michelle was presented with the RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award by Carrie Batt, Vice President of Business Markets at RBC.
As a Penticton-based Northern Tutchone woman from Selik First Nation committed to providing culturally safe and aware services to the healthcare industry, Michelle Bernier is bridging gaps as the Founder and CEO of Northern Nursing Solutions.
Northern Nursing Solutions is a woman-led travel nursing agency that provides understaffing and relief solutions to healthcare facilities. Founded in 2017, Northern Nursing Solutions, has grown robustly, boasting over 300 dedicated professionals and a noteworthy $2.4 million in annual revenue.
Dedication to serving Indigenous communities and transforming the quality of healthcare, makes Michelle Bernier a most deserving recipient of the RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award.
“I stand before you today deeply humbled and grateful to receive this award,” said Michelle. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at Northern Nursing Solutions, their dedication is the driving force behind our mission success. I am also indebted to my family and community, whose unwavering support and encouragement have been my pillars of strength throughout this journey.”
“We are honoured to celebrate the outstanding leaders in Indigenous entrepreneurship and tourism,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Congratulations, Trina, you are putting real Indigenous experiences on the map and we are so proud of your work to conserve culture, take up space, and support local Indigenous economies!”
To watch Michelle’s feature, click here. To watch the full Awards show, click here.