Samson Cree Nation business based in Pigeon Lake, AB and Marysville, WA, USA, wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 9, 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 Shyanne Yellowbird, the Samson Cree Nation Founder of mîmîNîsak, a business based in Pigeon Lake, Alberta, Canada and Marysville, Washington, USA, as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner. Shyanne 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.
The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice was created to foster a culture of giving back, mentorship and community support among Indigenous entrepreneurs. Following the 2026 Semi-Finals, the Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Judges reviewed the pitches of the Runner-Up Semi-Finalists and selected the entrepreneur they believed had the strongest potential in the Grand Finale, giving them another opportunity to advance and compete for the grand prize.
The judging panel featured four Pow Wow Pitch Alumni: Trisha Pitura, Co-Owner and Creative Director of MINI TIPI; Jordan Smith, Founder of Renterii; Cora Kavyaktok, Owner of Little Inuk Photography and Inuk Gold Clothing; and Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres.
“When I received the email, I started crying because I realized I had been given a second chance. I’m truly shocked, thankful and honoured to be announced as the Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner,” said Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak. “After placing as the Runner Up in the Consumer Products & Retail category, this was such a beautiful, unexpected surprise. I’m grateful to have another opportunity to share my vision and continue this journey with Pow Wow Pitch.”
“I’m so excited to get mîmîNîsak into the hands of our community and the world. We have nearly sold out of our first shipment with limited marketing, and organizations and other small businesses are already asking to partner with us. Our next shipment is on the way, and that’s when the real fun will begin.”
Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak, is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from Samson Cree Nation. Through mîmîNîsak, Shyanne is creating a line of dolls inspired by the Cree Little People, bringing Cree stories, teachings and imagination into a product created for children and families. Each character is designed to encourage connection to culture and introduce Indigenous representation into the toys children grow up with.
Shyanne first joined Pow Wow Pitch in 2025, when she won the Startup Semi-Final with mîmîNîsak. She returned in 2026 with a stronger pitch and significant progress in her business, earning Runner Up in the Consumer Products & Retail Semi-Final before being selected by Pow Wow Pitch Alumni to advance to the Grand Finale as the 2026 Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner.
In her pitch, Shyanne shared that winning the $25,000 Grand Prize would help her strengthen the foundation of mîmîNîsak as she continues bringing the dolls to market. She plans to use the funding to reduce manufacturing debt, cover legal and operational costs, and invest in marketing to introduce mîmîNîsak to more families and customers.
The judges congratulated Shyanne on the progress she has made with mîmîNîsak since her first Pow Wow Pitch journey in 2025. They were impressed by how she has continued developing her idea into a growing business and by the creativity and cultural significance behind her products. Her return with a stronger pitch and clear progress demonstrated her commitment to continuing to build mîmîNîsak and bring her vision to life.
“It’s always inspiring to see how much entrepreneurs grow since their first Pow Wow Pitch journey. Shyanne has taken her vision she shared with Pow Wow Pitch in 2025 and continued to build and strengthen mîmîNîsak into something truly special, a product that brings Cree stories, culture and imagination into the lives of children and families,” said Trisha Pitura, co-founder of MINI TIPI and 2026 Alumni Choice Judge. “Her persistence, creativity, and continued commitment to bringing her vision to life really stood out to us, and we’re excited to see her move forward to the Grand Finale as the Alumni Choice Winner.”
“Congratulations to Shyanne Yellowbird on being selected as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice Winner,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “It has been exciting to watch Shyanne continue to grow mîmîNîsak since joining us last year. To see her return with an even stronger business and then be chosen by fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs for another opportunity to compete in the Grand Finale makes this recognition especially meaningful. We are so excited to see what comes next for Shyanne and mîmîNîsak.”
“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 Shyanne Yellowbird for advancing to the next round.”
To watch Shyanne’s winning pitch, click here, to watch the full Alumni Choice episode, click here.
Shyanne 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.