As part of Aritzia’s commitment to participating in acts of reconciliation, both within its organization and with Indigenous communities across Canada, the Everyday Luxury retailer has partnered with Pow Wow Pitch for its fourth year to support Indigenous entrepreneurs for the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Competition.

Aritzia’s impact extends beyond funding, recognizing and fostering the immense talent of Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs. By investing in their diverse ventures, Pow Wow Pitch and Aritzia advance reconciliation through creative, cultural, and economic empowerment, enriching communities and the broader economy.

On September 17th, Pow Wow Pitch completed their announcement of all eighteen Finalists that will be advancing to the 2025 Grand Finale. Among these exceptional individuals, thirteen women and two-spirit Finalists were recognized and awarded with an Aritzia Grant, providing vital support for their deeply rooted, culturally grounded, and diverse initiatives across multiple industries.

Meet the 2025 Aritzia Grant Recipients:

Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy, is an Indigenous woman from Sagkeeng First Nation and operates her not-for-profit organization in Vancouver, British Columbia. IndigE-girl Comedy is an organization dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, queer, and non-binary voices in the stand-up comedy industry. Watch Debbie’s pitch.

Christen Meeko Falcon, Co-Founder of Backpacker’s Ferry, is an Indigenous woman from the Blackfeet Nation, near Montana, USA where she owns and operates her Indigenous tourism company alongside her partner. Backpacker’s Ferry is a tourism and transportation company on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation that connects travelers to the culture, history, and landscapes of the Blackfeet people. Watch Christen’s pitch.

Ariana Fotinakis and Vanessa Lesperance, Co-Founders of Decolonize and Rize, are Indigenous women from Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Manitoba Métis Federation who operate their organization from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Decolonize and Rize, a heartfelt organization dedicated to guiding mid- to large-sized organizations on a journey toward holistic reconciliation, decolonial transformation, and employee well-being. Watch Ariana’s pitch.

Wendy Landry, Owner of Bebia Cho Foods Co., is an Indigenous woman from Deh Gáh Got’îê Dene First Nation who operates her business in Kelowna, British Columbia. Bebia Cho Foods, is a snack company bringing delicious and nutritious fruit snacks from the Okanagan to families in Northern and isolated Indigenous communities. Read about Wendy’s win.

Sunday Queskekapow and Victoria Perrie, Co-Founders of Kíwétinohk Consulting, are a two-spirit and Indigenous woman entrepreneur from Norway House Cree Nation and the Manitoba Métis Federation who operate their organization from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Kíwétinohk Consulting is a consulting firm serving northern Manitoba and the Nunavut Arctic, advancing justice, equity, and healing through culturally grounded consulting, programming, and restorative justice initiatives. Watch Sunday’s pitch.

Annie Pillaktuaq, Founder of Art Den by Annie, is an Indigenous woman from Iqaluit, Nunavut and is a talented artist based in Ottawa, Ontario. Art Den by Annie is an art and design studio by Annie Pillaktuaq that blends traditional knowledge with contemporary expression through visual art, sealskin accessories, and a vision to create a collaborative hub for Indigenous and Inuit artists in Ottawa. Watch Annie’s pitch.

Jackie DeCouteau-Gill, Founder of Kokums Helper Society, is an Indigenous woman from Liidlii Kue First Nation and is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Jackie is a passionate advocate for culturally grounded end-of-life care within Indigenous communities. Kokums Helper Society is an Indigenous-led organization providing trauma-informed, culturally grounded end-of-life care that honours ceremony, community, and connection. Watch Jackie’s pitch.

Shauna White Bear, Founder of White Bear Moccasins LLC, is an Indigenous woman from the MHA Nation, near Bozeman, MT, and a self-taught moccasin maker and leatherworker. White Bear Moccasins is an Indigenous-owned business specializing in handcrafted moccasins and offering unique moccasin repair services at powwows, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Watch Shauna’s pitch. 

Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak, is an Indigenous woman from the Samson Cree Nation whose Seattle-based business brings Indigenous storytelling to life through art and design. mîmîNîsak is a new brand that features a unique line of dolls inspired by the Cree Little People, spiritual beings that embody guidance, protection, and cultural memory. Watch Shyanne’s Pitch.

Tessa Belanger, Founder of Pass the Sage, is an Indigenous woman from Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg who is writing her Indigenous perspective book from Ottawa, Ontario. Pass the Sage is an initiative that creates safe spaces for Indigenous storytelling, reflection, and healing, blending traditional knowledge with creative expression to support community wellness. Watch Tessa’s pitch. 

Destiny Moser, Founder of FoodZen, is an Indigenous woman and chef from Rainy River First Nation and operates her food-based business in Cambridge, Ontario. FoodZen revitalizes Indigenous food systems through a modern culinary lens, emphasizing hyper-local, seasonal ingredients and sustainable partnerships with local farmers. Through personal chef services, meal deliveries, and educational workshops, Destiny promotes food sovereignty and celebrates Indigenous culinary traditions. Watch Destiny’s pitch. 

Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder of SproutSync Ltd., is an Indigenous Mohawk woman from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario where she and her partner operate their agri-tech company. SproutSync is a new greenhouse automation company with a vision to empower Indigenous growers through culturally aligned automation tools and solutions. Watch Kendal’s pitch.

Tannis and Rayel Smoke, Co-Founders of Niña Waṡte Events, are Indigenous women from the Dakota Plains Wahpeton Oyate and who operate their company from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Niña Waṡte Events, a vibrant Indigenous-owned game rental company reimagining the world of board games through an Indigenous lens by redesigning popular games to center Indigenous people, culture, and language. Read about Tannis and Rayel’s win.

“I feel blessed and honoured to be selected for this grant. Any funding we receive goes back into feeding our community through mentorship, fair and equitable pay, and visibility for women, gender-diverse and queer creatives who are making moves,” shared Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy. “Your support helps us clear the path for others, removing barriers, and raising up the voices of women and two-spirit creatives. This funding allows us to continue creating spaces that uplift underrepresented voices, amplify joy and resilience in our communities, and support Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and queer creators in sharing their stories.”

“Thank you to Aritzia for your continued support and for amplifying the voices of Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs through Pow Wow Pitch. Your partnership reflects a meaningful commitment to reconciliation and the growth of Indigenous-led businesses,”  said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “This year’s Aritzia Grant recipients shine with talent, creativity, and unwavering commitment to their communities. We’re inspired by all that you do and can’t wait to see your businesses thrive. Congratulations to each of you, and we are so excited to cheer you on in the Grand Finale.”

“Our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch continues to inspire and grow in meaningful ways,” said Corinne Kepper, Vice President of Corporate Giving at Aritzia. “We congratulate this year’s Aritzia Grant recipients who are all exceptional Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs, who bring creativity, vision, and dedication to their business ventures. Through this grant, we are proud to provide funding to help them scale their businesses and make a lasting impact in their communities. We’re cheering them on in the Grand Finale and can’t wait to see all they will achieve.”

All of the Aritzia Grant Recipients will be pitching in the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale on October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET for their chance to win this year’s Grand Prize of $25,000. Register to watch the Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

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On September 2nd, 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 and Mastercard, announced Christen Meeko Falcon, the Blackfeet Nation Founder of Backpacker’s Ferry, a business based in Blackfeet, MT, USA  as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Tourism Semi-Final Winner. Christen has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

More than 130 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. Tuesday night, five Tourism Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.

Judges included Amy Seabourne, Director of Product Management at Mastercard; Katherine Soler, Account Executive & Newcomer Program Lead at Altis Recruitment; and Donna St. Louis, National Lead of Indigenous Business at EDC.

“The Blackfeet presence is low within Glacier National Park, we want to provide more hiring opportunities for our community to share our perspectives and knowledge with visitors,” said Christen Meeko Falcon, founder of Backpacker’s Ferry. “Also being that we are an ecotourism company, we can help funnel business into our tribe’s economy which is often missed due to the lack of support from the park. More shuttle vehicles, more hiring, more presence.”

Christen Meeko Falcon founded Backpacker’s Ferry, a tourism and transportation company rooted in the traditional homelands of the Blackfeet Nation, bordering Glacier National Park. With a mission that extends beyond travel, Backpacker’s Ferry creates meaningful connections between visitors and the rich history, culture, and landscapes of the Blackfeet people. By offering reliable ferry and shuttle services, the company provides safe, accessible ways to explore one of North America’s most breathtaking regions, while honouring the Nation’s deep ties to the land and its stories.

Through this work, Backpacker’s Ferry not only supports local tourism but also uplifts the Blackfeet community by sharing cultural knowledge, creating jobs, and showcasing Indigenous stewardship of the area. To continue expanding this impact, Christen pitched to win funds to extend the company’s current fleet and provide more employment opportunities for her Nation. These investments will strengthen the business’ ability to welcome more visitors, highlight Blackfeet culture, and ensure that tourism in Glacier National Park reflects the voices, culture, and traditions of the people who have called it home for generations.

“My advice is to reach out to supportive state or tribal institutions that can guide you through your business needs,” shared Christen. “Even if traditional loans don’t work out, don’t lose hope—there are funding opportunities like Pow Wow Pitch that can help you start or grow your business. Challenges will come, but don’t let them discourage you. As an Indigenous entrepreneur, it can feel overwhelming at first, but with time things begin to fall into place. The journey is part of the learning, so do your best to embrace and enjoy the process.” 

The judges congratulated Christen for her incredible idea, the positive energy she brought to her pitch, and the strong potential of her business to make a positive and sustainable impact to her community.

“Congratulations to Christen on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “In tourism, it is vital that we honour and acknowledge the original peoples of the territory, whose stories, culture, and deep ties to the land make each place truly unique. Christen’s work with Backpacker’s Ferry is a powerful example of how tourism can create meaningful connections, celebrate Indigenous stewardship, and ensure that visitors experience Glacier National Park through the voices and traditions of the Blackfeet people and Nation.”

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Tourism industry category. Breanna Boyer, Founder of Riverway Rentals, was recognized for her clear and compelling pitch, strong passion, and the great promise her business holds for the future.

“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous changemakers who are making a meaningful impact through their passion, creativity, and determination,” said Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. “We are so inspired by all the participants and semi-finalists – their ingenuity and perseverance to bring their innovative ideas to life is truly commendable. At RBC, we are committed to supporting their entrepreneurial journey and celebrating their successes.”

“The talent and determination showcased by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “Our team at Mastercard works closely with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to break down barriers and create new opportunities for growth and economic prosperity across Canada. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their ideas and stories, and a special congratulations to Christen Meeko Falcon for advancing to the next round.”

To watch Christen’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Tourism Semi-Final episode, click here.

Christen will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 22, 2025. Register to watch the 2025 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

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