Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard Canada, announced Dr. Shyra Barberstock, Co-Founder and CEO of Kebaonish Inc., as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Winner and the recipient of the Grand Prize of $25,000. 

The Grand Finale was hosted by Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, and featured Indigenous entrepreneurs from Nations across Turtle Island like the Choctaw, Cree, Anishinaabe, Maliseet, Inuit, Métis, Native Hawaiian, Lakota, and Mohawk. 

Following a qualifying Semi-Final round, the top 20 Indigenous entrepreneurs, from more than 300 applications from across Turtle Island, went head-to-head pitching their businesses to an esteemed panel of Judges who scored and selected the Grand Finale winners.

The 2024 Judges included Herb ZoBell, Vice President of Commercial Financial Services at RBC; Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead of Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify; Kate Karn, Director of Public Policy at Mastercard Canada; the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Winner Ashley Michel, Founder and Owner of 4 Generations Creations; and the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Winner Erica Daniels, Founder and CEO of Kejic Productions.

MEET THE WINNERS

The First Place Prize of $25,000 presented by RBC went to Dr. Shyra Barberstock, Co-Founder and CEO of Kebaonish Inc., from Kebaowek First Nation in Quebec. Kebaonish Inc. is an Indigenous and woman-led coffee and tea company based in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario that highlights the spirit of sharing in Indigenous cultures and communities worldwide. Watch Shyra’s pitch. 

“Winning Pow Wow Pitch is both a personal achievement and a significant milestone for Kebaonish,” shared Shyra Barberstock, Co-Founder and CEO of Kebaonish Inc. “Our company embodies the spirit of the Indigenous economy and highlights the importance of Indigenous businesses entering new markets. Ultimately, this success is about creating a ripple effect—where our achievements benefit not only our business but also strengthen our communities and inspire the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

Shyra plans to use her $25,000 grand prize to invest in her brand and community by creating job opportunities and launching a give-back program. Shyra has a goal to be one of the main leaders in the coffee and tea industry, expanding their reach with Indigenous art at each step of the way.

“My advice to emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs is to stay true to your values and your community,” reflects Shyra. “Remember, your unique perspective as an Indigenous entrepreneur is your strength—use it to innovate and create positive change.”

Shyra expresses her gratitude for her accomplishment to her community, team, mentors, and support networks. “I want to express my profound gratitude to my Kebaonish Co-Founder team—Rye Barberstock, Barry Hillier, John Snell, and Mike Carrick. I feel fortunate to have such an exceptional team—your friendship, support, and dedication mean the world to me. Additionally, I would like to thank our First Nations communities—Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) and Kebaowek First Nation—who have been incredible cheerleaders and supporters throughout this journey. Finally, I offer my sincere thanks to the family and friends who have tirelessly supported my team and me along the way. Your belief in our vision has been a constant source of inspiration.”

The Second Place Prize of $10,000 presented by Shopify went to Dolly Kruger, Founder of SilverSky Cradle & Casket from Snpintk’tn Indian Band in British Columbia. SilverSky Cradle & Casket is a funeral arrangement service that offers personalized, hand-crafted caskets and urns that incorporate Indigenous traditions and practices to honour passed loved ones. Dolly is a carpenter by trade and created SilverSky after the unfortunate passing of her son and having no traditional services to turn to. Dolly shared in her pitch that she passes along her knowledge to her children and youth community members to continue the tradition. Watch Dolly’s pitch.

“Being a winner to me means continuously showing up to do work. I hope to impact the way Indigenous people are represented within the funeral industry in Canada,” shared Dolly Kruger, Founder of SilverSky Cradle & Casket . “One thing I would like to say to Indigenous entrepreneurs is that we each have a calling so continue reaching for the stars, know you are making a difference, and continue being the change our ancestors prayed for.”

The Third Place Prize of $5,000 presented by Mastercard Canada went to Darion Ducharme from LacSeul First Nation and Zachary Flett from Sagkeeng First Nation, Co-Founders of Teqare. Teqare is an Indigenous-owned and operated company based in Manitoba, offering technology training, education, and support with a focus on our nation’s most vulnerable. Darion and Zachary have spearheaded initiatives such as scam prevention workshops for all ages, both urban and rural communities across Canada. Teqare is doing important work to keep elders’ information safe online. Watch Darion and Zachary’s pitch.

“Winning third place for Pow Wow Pitch is a significant milestone for us at Teqare,” shared Darion Ducharme, Founder of Teqare. “It’s not just about recognition; it affirms that our vision and the work we are doing for Indigenous communities are impactful and necessary. Moving forward, we aim to expand our reach, continuing to empower Indigenous peoples through digital literacy, financial education, and scam prevention.”

Echoing Darion, Zachary Flett, Co-Founder of Teqare continues, “Our most memorable experience was connecting with other Indigenous entrepreneurs. The sense of community and support from everyone involved really stood out. Hearing their stories and sharing my own created a powerful space of encouragement. It’s not just a competition—it’s a platform for all of us to learn, grow, and elevate each other.”

ALUMNI CHOICE 

The Alumni Choice Prize of $5,000 was presented on behalf of Pow Wow Pitch Alumni by 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Winner, Ashley Michel, to Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres. Algonquin Acres is an equestrian therapy centre that hosts riding programs and clinics. Lisa started Algonquin Acres in 2022 and was inspired to bring her dream to life after witnessing the transformative impact equine therapy had for her own daughter’s health. Lisa is certified in equine assisted learning from the University of Guelph and is able to offer tailored therapeutic programs that combine cultural traditions with evidence-based practices. Watch Lisa’s pitch.

“Winning Pow Wow Pitch’s Alumni prize means so much, I look up to the Alumni and their hard work and success, and was so thankful they chose to support my business,” shared Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres. “I hope to impact the children I work with in a positive way with memories they can hold onto for a lifetime, memories they made right at home in the community.”

Lisa shares a piece of advice to Indigenous entrepreneurs thinking about participating in future competitions, “It can be so scary to jump into something unknown like a pitch competition, but just know you have the support from all other competitors, your community, and so many others waiting to encourage you! You can do this!” 

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

In addition to announcing the top three winners and the Alumni Choice winner, the judges recognized four Finalists with an Honourable Mention for their impressive pitches, businesses, achievements to date and potential. The Honourable Mentions are:    

• Simon Monteith,  Founder of Simon The Scientist 
• Charity Fleming, Co-Owner of Qualia Counseling Services 
• Tanis Simpson, Founder of Qiviut Inc. and,
• Puna Tripp,  Co-Founder of Hā Tonics.

“Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island showcased their remarkable businesses and passion for creating positive impact, embodying the true spirit of entrepreneurship and community-building.” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “It is an honour to celebrate these visionary leaders who are shaping the future of Indigenous business. To our Grand Prize winners, Shyra, Dolly, Darion & Zachary, and Lisa, and all our finalists, your dedication to your vision and communities are truly inspiring. We are proud to support you on your entrepreneurial journey. Mìgwetch for sharing your stories and for leading the way in Indigenous entrepreneurship; I look forward to following your journeys ahead!”

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are at the forefront of innovation and it’s an honour for us to recognize and celebrate their outstanding contributions to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity,” said Tracy Antoine, RBC Origins, Senior Director, Client Strategy at RBC. “Congratulations to all the finalists and winners – their passion, creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and we are so proud to support them on this journey.” 

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honor, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

“At Mastercard, we’ve been inspired by the innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard Canada. “By supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, we are building a future where everyone can reach their full potential, contributing to a more prosperous and inclusive society. We are honoured to play a role in the continued success and growth of these entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Shyra, Dolly, Darion & Zachary, and Lisa on winning the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch.”

To watch the Grand Finale, click here.

To book an interview with Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenaco, Dr. Shyra Barberstock, Dolly Kruger, Darion Ducharme & Zachary Flett, or Lisa Vicaire, please contact hello@powwowpitch.org.

About Pow Wow Pitch 

Pow Wow Pitch is non-profit organization supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island. It provides a safe, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. Community leadership through volunteerism is promoted with respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. 

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

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On September 9th, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard Canada, announced Lisa Vicaire, the Founder of Algonquin Acres, a business based in Timiskaming First Nation, Quebec, as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Health & Wellness Semi-Final Winner. Lisa has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

More than 300 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. From the 300 applicants, 100 were selected as Semi-Finalists and provided with training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges.

Last night, ten Health & Wellness Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and advance as a finalist.

Judges included Na Sha, Vice President of Commercial Financial Services, Indigenous Markets at RBC; Maite Jacobson, Senior Benefits Specialist at Shopify; Mahdi Gokal, Market Development Manager at Mastercard; and Maxime Crawford, Senior Relationship Manager of Mid Market Business at EDC.

“Hard work pays off, and will lead the way to dreams coming true,” shared Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres. “I want every Indigenous entrepreneur to know that there is a whole team of supporters out there waiting for them, and it’s time to come find us in the Pow Wow Pitch community!”

Algonquin Acres is an equestrian therapy centre that hosts riding programs and clinics. Lisa started Algonquin Acres in 2022 and was inspired to bring her dream to life after witnessing the transformative impact equine therapy had for her own daughter’s health. Lisa is certified in equine assisted learning from the University of Guelph and is able to offer tailored therapeutic programs that combine cultural traditions with evidence-based practices.

Lisa pitched to win funds to expand Algonquin Acres’ facilities to include a dedicated cultural space to host ceremonies, sacred fire, traditional medicine garden, and Indigenous art space. Lisa also hopes to add two Ojibwe spirit horses to their family who will reside in their ancestor’s traditional styled fencing.

“I’d like to thank my parents for their unwavering support, my daughter Sophia for being my inspiration every day, and all the families and students that attend Algonquin Acres, you are all so important to us,” expressed Lisa. 

The judges congratulate Lisa on an excellent pitch and thank Lisa for sharing her story and how her farm is changing lives in and around her community. 

“Congratulations Lisa on your Semi-Final win and for advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Lisa’s vision to expand Algonquin Acres to include cultural aspects to provide culture-based therapeutic experiences is nothing short of remarkable. We look forward to spotlighting Lisa and sharing more about Algonquin Acres with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing our impact together.” 

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledge the Runner Up for the Health & Wellness industry category. Daphne Lavoie, Founder of First Star CPR, was recognized for an engaging and enthusiastic pitch, clear presentation, and a positive community impact to equip others with important life saving skills.

“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous trailblazers who are making a transformative impact on our communities with their resilience, ingenuity and unwavering commitment to success.” said Tracy Antoine, Senior Director of Indigenous Programs and Policies at RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists – their courage to participate leads to life achievements and their shared stories are truly inspirational. We are committed to supporting their growth and success in the future.” 

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honour, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

“The innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch have been truly inspiring,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re committed to working with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to unlock access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs across the diverse communities we serve to power economies and empower people. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Lisa on advancing to the next round.”

To watch Lisa’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Health & Wellness Semi-Final episode, click here.

Lisa will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 23rd. Register to watch the 2024 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

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Tuesday, July 4th | Founded by Lisa Vicaire in Timiskaming First Nation, Algonquin Acres stands as a testament to Indigenous entrepreneurship and the power of innovative therapeutic approaches in supporting mental health among Indigenous youth. Lisa’s approach intertwines Indigenous teachings and traditions with animal therapy, primarily using horses as a medium to boost mental resilience and self-confidence.

Lisa started Algonquin Acres 11 months ago after seeing an immense positive change it had on her daughter’s health. Lisa was inspired by the positive reactions she received when she and her family first moved back to her home community of Timiskaming and the support they had for children with special needs. She combined this support with her love of horses and now had the ability to open her farm to other Indigenous youth. 

At Algonquin Acres, the use of Indigenous traditions is evident in their everyday operations. Sage, a traditional indigenous herb, is burnt throughout the farm to create a calming atmosphere. Lisa incorporates creative therapeutic sessions into the farm’s routine. Activities range from painting on horses or canvas to quiet, introspective periods which cultivate mindfulness.

One key activity includes teaching young visitors to paint indigenous symbols and markings on horses, as their ancestors did on their war horses. These exercises not only provide a creative outlet but also instill a strong sense of cultural identity and heritage among the youth.

The response from the community towards Lisa’s efforts has been overwhelmingly positive. Community members have aided with various projects, participated in open houses, and community gatherings hosted by Algonquin Acres. The farm has successfully hosted women’s wellness events, summer camp visits, and aims to provide space for full moon ceremonies.

Lisa’s vision for Algonquin Acres continues to grow. Plans to expand the farm by using adjacent land offered by a community member are in the pipeline. This would mean more room for therapeutic sessions, nature trail rides, and expansion of their horse population. Moreover, an indoor riding arena is in the works to provide a warmer space for winter activities. Lisa also aims to increase her staff strength, bring more diversity to her team, and offer more sessions in multiple languages, furthering inclusivity.

Her main message to Indigenous youth is that you are supported and there is a wealth of information and knowledge out there waiting for you to take that chance.

Lisa’s advice to aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs is clear – believe in your dreams, take the risk, and lean on the support of your community. Lisa’s story shows us that entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, community development, and positive change. 

Listen to Lisa’s advice and journey on the latest episode on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast.

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On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Mastercard and with the local support of Invest Ottawa and ADAAWE, announced Lisa Vicaire, from Timiskaming First Nation, founder of Algonquin Acres, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Ottawa Summer Solstice Festival Winner. Lisa has won $5,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

Twenty-two Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Summer Solstice Festival at Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa, Ontario, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

Following a first-round open pitch on the morning of Saturday, June 24th, judges Jason McDonald, Business Developnent Manager at Futurprenuer Canada, Relay Tangie, Director of Finance at NACCA, Lindley Graham, Director of Small Business Marketing at Canada Post, Paula Hopkins, Director of Entrepreneurship at Invest Ottawa, Karla Briones, Founder of Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, and Shehnila Sayeed, Communications Specialist at CIRA, shortlisted the ‘Top 10’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The Round 1 judges also awarded two special additional prizes courtesy of MINI TIPI that were announced alongside the Top 10. The Community Impact Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Alexandra Whiteduck, Co-Progrect Manager of Project Nibi, for her passion to gain access to clean water to Indigenous communities. The Start Up Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Shannon David, Owner of Shannon David Leather Creations, for her talented work and drive to succeed. An honourable mention went to Kona Decoursey, Owner of Love, Koko, for her artistic drive and amazing courage. Kona took home a bundle of gifts including a MINI TIPI bag, and Pow Wow Pitch swag.

The Top 10 entrepreneurs were then paired with mentors from Miss Bao Restaurant + Cocktail Bar, Futurpreneur Canada, CIRA, NACCA, Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, RBC, and BDC to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Nishant Raina, Director of Small Businesses at Mastercard, Tamer Gabbour, Senior Commercial Account Manager at RBC, Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, Angel Aubichon, Co-Founder of INDI CITY, and Jennifer Lafitte-Coute, Senior Procurement Advisor at EDC.

First-Place Winner Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres said, “From the Pow Wow Pitch experience, I have come to realize that for every Indigenous entrepreneur there is a whole team of people out there to cheer you on that you haven’t met yet.”

Lisa started Algonquin Acres 11 months ago and has already been able to help hundreds of Indigenous youth at her farm through animal therapy and animal-assisted learning activities. Algonquin Acres is an equestrian centre that hosts riding programs and clinics. Lisa pitched to raise funds to build an enclosed riding centre so that she can also host programming in the winter. This was Lisa’s third year pitching for Pow Wow Pitch. She also has a featured episode on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast set to air July 3rd.

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Alexandra Whiteduck, Co-Project Manager of Project Nibi, a student-led social enterprise based at the University of Ottawa that focuses on investigating and creating a sustainable way to tackle the water crisis affecting Indigenous communities across Canada. “Pow Wow Pitch is such an amazing experience,” said Alexandra. “You meet amazing mentors, you meet amazing people and your network constantly grows just from the competition itself. So if you’re thinking of doing it, absolutely come out and pitch.”

The Third-Place $1,000 Winner was Gavin Decontie, Founder of Decontie Clean, a fully Indigenous owned and operated professional  commercial property cleaning service. “This was my third time pitching at Pow Wow Pitch,” said Gavin. “Pow Wow Pitch means a lot to me because it’s able to help out my business and I’m really grateful to win third place. A word of advice I would give to people wanting to join Pow Wow Pitch is to never give up, you never know what could happen.” 

Another prize courtesy of MINI TIPI of $1,000 went to Marissa Dube, Founder of Eiralize Lashes, a woman- and Indigenous-owned beauty brand that is dedicated to giving back and making beauty affordable. “I’m really happy that I did the Pow Wow Pitch,” said Marissa. “The main push for me was to practice public speaking and winning the money was just a bonus. I’m glad I got to take home $1,000 from MINI TIPI. I will definitely do it again next year and I’m excited for the virtual competition!”

The Youth Prize of $500 went to Cadence Cotter, Founder of Manes & Reins Equestrian Co., who is inspiring the younger generation to take initiative on their passions. Cadence started a business to be able to support herself through her equestrian journey. Cadence shared about her Pow Wow Pitch experience, “Sometimes it’s very nerve-wracking but if you work hard, you can get it done!” 

The Fan Favourite Prize of $500 went to Dr. Sadie Laronde, Founder of The Butterfly Effect, a nervous system and generational healing practice, that wowed the crowd! “This has been such a great learning opportunity,”  said Dr. Laronde. “Connecting with the community feels really empowering as a starting Indigenous entrepreneur. This was a surprise win and I’m going to put this to good use for healing our people.” The Fan Favourite Prize was announced and presented by Janelle Niles, Producer and Comedia of Got Land? Indigenous Comedy Show and last year’s Summer Solstice Fan Favourite winner. 

In addition to all of the prizes won this weekend, MINI TIPI stepped up again to give back to the Pow Wow Pitch community by awarding Desiree Streit, Founder of Friday Night Beading Club with a MINI TIPI mentorship opportunity. “I’m really thankful for the opportunity that Pow Wow Pitch is here and makes it accessible for Indigenous entrepreneurs like myself, who are just starting out to network and get their products out there and be a part of a community which is really important to me,” said Desiree. “And that businesses like MINI TIPI have come up through the channels and are now mentoring young business owners like myself.”

“Congratulations to Lisa Vicaire on her Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are so proud to be a part of Lisa’s journey and so excited to see how much she has grown in this past year. She is truly an inspiration and we love supporting her efforts to build an amazing program for Indigenous youth! Another huge congratulations to all of our winners! This year’s Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch was definitely special, we can’t wait to see all the amazing things everyone will do!”

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship, and the stories and achievements of this year’s semi-finalists are a testament to their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Michael Ferencich, Senior Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honor, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

All those who participated at the Summer Solstice Festival Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support!

“At Mastercard, we’ve been inspired by the innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard in Canada. “The future is brighter when Indigenous entrepreneurship is recognized, supported and celebrated, and we are honoured to play a role in continued success and growth of these entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Tara on advancing to the next round.”

“The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is thrilled to be hosting Pow Wow Pitch once again,” said Trina Mather-Simard, Executive Director & Producer of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. “This incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs started right here on our Storytellers and Elders Stage. Each year we are blown away by the brilliance of our Indigenous community and love to watch them confidently pitch and ultimately grow their idea into a successful business.”

Lisa will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19, 2023. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

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