Kaleb Montgomery-Reid, a Tech 4 Youth Grant recipient and 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Finalist, is transforming the world of youth athletics through Reverence Basketball, a training business based in West Kelowna, British Columbia. Kaleb is a member of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and is on a mission to give Indigenous athletes the training, visibility, and belief they need to succeed, both on and off the court.

Reverence Basketball was born from Kaleb’s own journey as an Indigenous athlete who often lacked access to elite training. “I carried the weight of wanting something more, mentorship, guidance, and a pathway to the next level. That gap is what motivated me to start Reverence Basketball,” he shares. Today, the program has grown into a thriving platform offering weekly academies, private and semi-private workouts, community camps, and guidance through film, mentorship, and scholarship support.

Kaleb’s proudest accomplishment is seeing Reverence evolve beyond himself. “In less than a year, it’s become a space where athletes build skill, confidence, and leadership, and where Indigenous youth can see their identity celebrated,” he reflects. Partnerships with colleges, community camps, and the successes of young athletes are proof that Reverence is more than basketball, it’s a movement rooted in youth stories and of belonging to the community.

One of the biggest lessons Kaleb has learned is the power of relationships. While he initially thought building a program would be all about systems and strategy, he quickly realized that mentors, community connections, and the athletes themselves are the foundation of Reverence’s success. “The mentors who’ve guided me, the communities who’ve opened their doors, and the athletes who’ve trusted me are the relationships that have shown me growth doesn’t happen in isolation. They’ve become the foundation for where Reverence is headed and the proof that I know this work will last,” he notes.

Recent technology upgrades, provided through the Tech 4 Youth Grant and Best Buy Canada, have been game-changers for Kaleb. A new camera and computer allow him to capture and edit footage on the go, telling the stories of athletes and communities who deserve to be seen. “With every video, highlight, and story we share, we’re not just training players, we’re building visibility and opportunity that can change lives,” he explains.

Kaleb’s advice to young entrepreneurs is grounded in his experience, “Start with your story. Your lived experience, community, and perspective are your greatest strengths, they set you apart in ways no one else can copy. Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’ Take that first step, lean on your community, and keep moving forward even when it feels uncertain.”

Kaleb Montgomery-Reid’s journey with Reverence Basketball is a testament to what can be achieved when passion, identity, and community come together. By empowering young athletes and leveraging their strengths, he is proving that business can be both a pathway to personal success and a gift back to the people who shaped you.

Explore Kaleb’s journey with Reverence Basketball here. Learn more about the Tech 4 Youth Program here.

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Kylie Landry-Zoe, a Tech 4 Youth Grant recipient and a member of Deh Gáh Got’ie Dene First Nation, is bringing family, culture, and creativity together through her family’s business, The Bebia Cho Company based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Specializing in a family clothing line “from bebia to grandpa,” Kylie is designing apparel that reflects her family’s mission, while celebrating her Indigenous roots and entrepreneurial spirit.

Kylie’s passion for fashion started early. She loves making clothes and debuted her family line at the International Indigenous Fashion Show in Regina on October 11, 2025. Modeling her designs herself, Kylie is taking a bold step into the spotlight, sharing her creations with a wider audience and proudly representing her culture.

The Tech 4 Youth Grant and support from Best Buy Canada has been instrumental in helping Kylie achieve her goals. Kylie received an Apple iPhone 16e, Dell Laptop, selfie stick, and wireless microphone to expand her skills into digital art and media. She’s learning to draw with a tablet, explore video production, and podcasting with guidance from her mother. Her goal is to bring The Bebia Cho Company to life online, creating engaging content for YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms, helping her brand reach even more families.

For Kylie, family is at the heart of her entrepreneurial journey. She emphasizes the importance of working with loved ones: “Create with your family in case you don’t know what to do, they can help you.” Despite being shy, Kylie encourages her friends and family to take chances: “You never know what can happen!”

Kylie Landry-Zoe’s story is a testament to how anything is possible when community and family come together to build something meaningful. As The Bebia Cho Company continues to grow, Kylie is determined to inspire other young Indigenous entrepreneurs to embrace their passions and take bold steps toward their dreams.

Explore Kylie’s journey with Bebia Cho Foods here. Learn more about the Tech 4 Youth Program here.

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Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs, co-presented by Mastercard and RBC, proudly announces its continued collaboration with the Kamloopa Powwow Society, taking place in Secwepemcúl’ecw Territory, Kamloops, British Columbia on June 28, 2025.

The 44th Annual Kamloopa Powwow is taking place June 27-29, 2025 at the beautiful Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Special Events Facility (the Arbour) within Secwepemcúl’ecw to celebrate and honour the community’s vibrant Indigenous culture through dancing and singing.

Kamloopa Powwow Society is hosting Pow Wow Pitch for a fourth-year to put the spotlight on Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators attending Kamloopa. Vendors and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch to win $10,000 in cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.

How It Works

To enter, vendors, attendees and entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited spots here: powwowpitch.org/kamloopa, with a few spots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up and want to showcase their business. To pitch, entrepreneurs will have 1-minute to present their ideas or businesses for a chance to win! 

The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors to refine their final pitch before presenting to the judges and will also advance to the Turtle Island Semi-Finals where they will have another chance to pitch for the $25,000 Grand Prize. Prizes at Kamloopa include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, $500 for the Youth prize, and $500 for the Fan Favourite. The 1st place winner will also receive a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale. 

“Kamloopa is one of the most vibrant powwows on Turtle Island and we are grateful to be welcomed back for another year,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are excited to continue our collaboration with the Kamloopa Powwow Society to support the entrepreneurial talent in Secwepemcúl’ecw Territory. Our commitment is to uplift Indigenous entrepreneurs, and this celebration of culture and community is the perfect place to amplify their stories, innovations, and business ideas.”

“Over the past three years, Pow Wow Pitch and the Kamloopa Powwow have grown together, creating meaningful opportunities and strengthening our community in remarkable ways,” said Loreena Seymour, President of the Kamloopa Powwow Society. “Pow Wow Pitch has become an incredible platform for our participants and attendees, fostering entrepreneurship and showcasing the immense talent within Kamloops. Its impact continues to bring our community closer to the powwow spirit while sharing the best of Kamloopa with Turtle Island. We are proud to see this partnership flourish and inspire future generations.”

Join us at the Kamloopa Powwow and pitch your business to win cash prizes of up to $5,000! This is your opportunity to showcase your talent, share your story, and inspire our community. Register now and be a part of the celebration!

All Indigenous entrepreneurs that pitch will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community and gain access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, have the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box, and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.

Visit powwowpitch.org/kamloopa to learn more and pre-register to pitch.

Indigenous entrepreneurs across Canada and the United States are also welcomed to pitch for the Turtle Island Pow Wow Pitch Competition held online at powwowpitch.org/pitch until June 3, 2025.

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Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, training and support, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard Canada, announced its collaboration with the Kamloopa Powwow Society, with local partners CFDC of CIFN and ANTCO, taking place in Secwepemcúl’ecw Territory, Kamloops, British Columbia on June 28 and 29, 2024. 

The 43rd Annual Kamloopa Powwow is taking place June 28-30, 2024 at the beautiful Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Special Events Facility (the Arbour) within Secwepemcúl’ecw to celebrate and honour the community’s vibrant Indigenous culture through dancing and singing.

Kamloopa Powwow Society is hosting Pow Wow Pitch for a third year to put the spotlight on Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators attending Kamloopa. Vendors and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch to win $10,000 in cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.

How It Works 

To enter, vendors, attendees and entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited audition spots here: powwowpitch.org/kamloopa, with a few spots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up and want to pitch. To audition, entrepreneurs will have 1-minute to Pitch their ideas or businesses for a chance to win! 

The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors before pitching to the judges and the Kamloopa community. Prizes include $5,000 for 1st Place, $2,500 for 2nd Place, $1,000 for 3rd Place, $500 for the Youth Prize, and $500 for the Fan Favourite. In addition, the 1st Place Winner will also get a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000. 

“Pow Wow Pitch and Kamloopa Powwow have grown together over the past three years, strengthening each other in remarkable ways,” said Melissa Mathias, Treasurer of Kamloopa Powwow Society.  “It’s been an incredible platform for Kamloopa participants and attendees, bringing the community back to the powwow spirit while showcasing the best of Kamloopa to Turtle Island.”

“Kamloopa stands as one of the most beautiful powwows on Turtle Island,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “In 2024, we are thrilled to deepen our partnership with the Kamloopa Powwow Society. We are humbled by the resilience and unity demonstrated by this community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive celebration that not only showcases creativity but also honours the diverse ventures thriving within Indigenous communities. Kamloopa sets a progressive example and continues to lead the way, and we are honoured to bring Pow Wow Pitch to this gathering.”

For the first time, Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch is co-presented by two Indigenous economic development organizations, CFDC of CIFN and ANTCO. Their partnership enables $10,000 in cash prizes and on-site mentoring, judging, and ongoing support for participants.

All Indigenous entrepreneurs that pitch will also be automatically entered into the Turtle Island (North American) Pow Wow Pitch competition and will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community. All pitchers will get access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, have the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box and on Powwowmarket.ca, will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA, and a 60-day free Shopify Trial.

Visit powwowpitch.org/kamloopa to learn more and to pre-register to pitch.

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On Friday evening, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Facebook, announced Vernon Métis Teresa Sanders, CEO of FILL as the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch British Columbia Winner.

Teresa has won $500 and has advanced to the Finals along with Anthony Wingham, Co-Founder of Nuez Acres from the Waceya Society, Langley; Ecko Aleck, Founder & Artist at Sacred Matriarch Creative from Nlaka’pamux and Pentlatch First Nations; and, Derek Douglas, Co-Founder of Triden Dispensers from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. The four entrepreneurs are advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their businesses.

This Summer, 1,642 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada, the United States and Mexico) submitted one-minute video pitches of their businesses to win funds and support. 

In August, Pow Wow Pitch announced the Semi-Finalists and paired them with mentors to refine their business pitches in preparation for their presentation to the judges. 

The judges

Last night, twenty-three Indigenous entrepreneurs from British Columbia pitched to a panel of judges, including RBC Vice President of Indigenous Markets Tracy Antoine; Shopify Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program Manager Tracy Ridler; Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Chief Investment Officer Stephen Nairne; Raven Reads Founder and CEO Nicole McLaren; and, Canada Post Director of Parcels and eCommerce Luke Misczyk. 

Pow Wow Pitch’s Founder Sunshine Tenasco announced the judges’ selection of the entrepreneurs advancing to the Finals and the BC Winner. 

The winner

Teresa Sanders, CEO of FILL, is the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch British Columbia Winner. FILL is a refill store where customers fill cleaning, hygiene and personal care products with plant-based and organic products from local and Canadian suppliers. To date, FILL customers have saved over 150,000 plastics from entering the environment while providing high-quality ingredients to help keep waters clean from chemicals.

“I applied to Pow Wow Pitch to connect with other like-minded businesses and organizations,” said Teresa Sanders. “I had no idea how empowered I would feel after hearing my fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs taking over the business world. With recent heatwaves, forest fires and climate change, we need to be better for our land and make refilling mainstream. If I win the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Prize, I will use the funds to expand FILL through a franchise model across British Columbia.”

The finalists

Also moving onto the Finals is Anthony Wingham, Co-Founder of Nuez Acres, a family-owned business that provides hand-harvested skin, hair and wellness products using pure pecan oil.

“I applied to Pow Wow Pitch to build awareness of our products and brand,” said Anthony Wingham. “Prize funds would be used for target ad campaigns, SEO optimization and scaled marketing efforts to grow our business.”

Ecko Aleck, Founder & Artist at Sacred Matriarch Creative, supports Indigenous youth and women with healing and transformation through safe spaces, creative practices and sacred storytelling, sharing ancestral knowledge and decolonizing practices. 

“We applied for Pow Wow Pitch to raise funds for the branding, program packaging and website relaunch to support or expansion,” said Ecko Aleck. “We are building a mobile studio, underpinned by a decolonized social enterprise, co-created by Indigenous youth for Indigenous youth.”

The final BC entrepreneur advancing to the Final is Derek Douglas, Co-Founder of Triden Dispensers, which provides touch-free dispensers and refill programs to promote a circular economy and eliminate excessive plastic waste produced from the cleaning products industry.

“I applied for Pow Wow Pitch to connect with a community of collaboration,” said Derek Douglas. “We would use prize funds to support the environment and health of Indigenous communities by introducing our dispensers to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.”

“Congratulations to Teresa, Anthony, Ecko and Derek on advancing to the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Your resilience, creativity and commitment to celebrating and sharing our diverse Indigenous culture while making an impact is a testament to how our unique style of business can and will create a better future for us all.” 

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Dale Sturges, National Director for Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “Indigenous entrepreneurs play a critical role in creating innovative solutions, sustainable communities, economic prosperity. It’s an honour for RBC to be part of the Pow Wow Pitch this year as we play our part to put a spotlight on Indigenous innovations and share their inspiring entrepreneurial stories with Canadians at large. We’re so proud of all of our participants, finalists and winners, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

“We’re honoured to be a part of the Pow Wow Pitch competition and play a role in supporting these incredibly innovative entrepreneurs as they start and scale their businesses,” said Garrick Tiplady, Vice President and Country Director, Facebook & Instagram Canada. “Congratulations to the semi-finalists and we wish them the best of luck in the next round!” 

Click here to watch the British Columbia Semi-Finals.

Teresa, Anthony, Ecko and Derek are advancing to the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Final set to air on October 20, 2021. The entrepreneurs are pitching to win one of the following prizes: $3,000 for the Alumni Choice Prize, $5,000 for 3rd place, $10,000 for 2nd place, and $25,000 for 1st place. 

Everyone can also register for free to watch the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to watch Teresa, Ecko, Anthony and Derek pitch for the big prizes, airing on October 20. Click here to register now.

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