Building on the success of the previous years, EDC remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. EDC’s contribution ensures that Pow Wow Pitch can amplify its virtual programs, expand in-person support in communities across Canada, and grow its offerings to support Indigenous entrepreneurs to pursue global markets.

EDC’s active engagement will extend to judging Pow Wow Pitch events online and participating in person at powwows across Canada. Moreover, EDC employees will play an integral role as mentors, providing guidance and support to Indigenous entrepreneurs on their Pow Wow Pitch journey. Additionally, EDC will present the EDC Export Award as part of the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, recognizing an outstanding business ready to expand into global markets.

Donna St. Louis, National Lead, Indigenous Business, Inclusive Trade at EDC, highlighted the value of working together to support Indigenous entrepreneurs: “Trade has long been an important part of Indigenous business. Our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch is about celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs and providing them with more opportunities to grow through access to trade expertise and financial solutions to protect your business against risk and access to working capital from your financial institution.” 

Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with EDC to help early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs explore global market opportunities. Through training, support, and encouragement, we are empowering Indigenous businesses to grow and trade on their own terms across Turtle Island and beyond.”

Rooted in respect for Indigenous history, traditions, and culture, EDC and Pow Wow Pitch are committed to empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by removing barriers to growth. Through this partnership, EDC is fostering pathways to economic self-determination, strengthening community capacity, and equipping Indigenous entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive in Canada and beyond.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of Mastercard and RBC. Our vision is to create a world where Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive, feeling supported, safe, and encouraged to develop their ideas and build businesses that create a positive cycle of growth. With a mission to provide resources and mentorship, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs while amplifying their stories to inspire future generations and foster a more inclusive world.

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

About Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation committed to helping Canadian companies of all sizes flourish on the global stage. As international risk experts, EDC empowers Canadian companies with the tools they need – trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to confidently expand their business. We remain committed to sustainable and responsible business. Our work with Indigenous businesses helps them bring their products and services to global markets, reinforcing economic self-reliance and community prosperity.

For more information and to learn how we can assist your company, visit us at EDC’s website.

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Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s leading initiative and non-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced it will continue its partnership with Export Development Canada (EDC) in 2023. EDC, continuing its commitment to foster Indigenous entrepreneurship, will join Pow Wow Pitch as a Silver Partner for the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Program.

Ready to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2023, EDC is committed to providing mentorship, funding, training, marketing, and a nurturing community. EDC’s investment ensures that Pow Wow Pitch can amplify its virtual programs, expand in-person support in communities across Canada, and grow its offerings to support Indigenous entrepreneurs to pursue global markets.

EDC’s support of Pow Wow Pitch as a Silver-Level Sponsor, and the engagement of EDC employees as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for virtual pitch contests, enriches Pow Wow Pitch’s offering. In addition to supporting Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs, EDC has also renewed its commitment as a co-presenting sponsor of the 3rd Annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with EDC to support early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs to understand the opportunities of global markets for their businesses,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “By providing training, encouragement and support to Indigenous businesses, we are reclaiming trade our own way across Turtle Island and beyond.” 

Reflecting on the historical importance of trade in Indigenous prosperity, Todd Evans, National Lead for Indigenous Exporters at EDC, voiced his optimism: “Exporting can empower today’s Indigenous entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses. Our alliance with Pow Wow Pitch aids EDC’s mission to make trade more inclusive by offering access to our trade expertise, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections.”

Pow Wow Pitch recently welcomed Evans to present at the Pow Wow Pitch Bootcamp, a virtual half-day seminar for Indigenous entrepreneurs that entered the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Competition. Evans shared a presentation on exporting and how EDC can help globalize Indigenous-owned businesses. This opportunity allowed entrepreneurs to ask questions about exporting and how they could utilize EDC’s services to expand their business and growth.

As part of the partnership, EDC is proud to share the stories of Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs. Most recently, EDC spotlighted Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Joella Hogan, the Founder of The Yukon Soaps Company, an all-natural product company specializing in making soaps, shampoos and essential oils using juniper berries, spruce tips and wildflowers from the land near her home in Mayo, Yukon. Click here to read the full story. 

“Guided by respect for Indigenous history, traditions and culture, EDC is dedicated to supporting Indigenous businesses and removing barriers to growth, so they can thrive on the world stage while creating jobs and prosperity in their community,” says Evans, EDC’s national lead of Indigenous exporters. 

For additional information on the collaboration between Pow Wow Pitch and EDC, please visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/EDC.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a groundbreaking entrepreneurship program for rising Indigenous entrepreneurs. It fosters a safe, supportive, cooperative, empowering, and culturally conducive environment that comprehends and addresses the unique challenges Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring ones face. Pow Wow Pitch enables sustainable growth for current and prospective Indigenous entrepreneurs through comprehensive programs and resources. It also encourages community leadership via volunteerism, reflecting respect and reciprocity at the core of Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/.

About EDC

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation committed to helping Canadian companies of all sizes flourish on the global stage. As international risk experts, EDC empowers Canadian companies with the tools they need—trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections—to confidently expand their business. We remain committed to sustainable and responsible business. Our work with Indigenous businesses helps them bring their products and services to global markets, reinforcing economic self-reliance and community prosperity. For more information and to learn how we can assist your company, visit us as http://www.edc.ca/.

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On Saturday evening, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Facebook, announced Bernice Clarke, Inuk Owner and Founder of Uasau Soap Inc. from Iqaluit, Nunavut as the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Territories Winner.

Bernice has won $500 and has advanced to the Finals along with Emily Joanasie, Iqaluit Owner of Miqsuqta! and Joella Hogan, Founder and CEO of The Yukon Soaps Co. from the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun. The three 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. 

On Saturday, Indigenous entrepreneurs from the Territories pitched to a panel of judges, including RBC Vice President of Real Estate and Construction Services Carla Woodward; Shopify Senior Lead of Community and Underrepresented Entrepreneurs Brandon Davenport; NACCA National Program Manager Kevin Rose, Square Small Business and Community Advocate Martin Guerrero; and, Pow Wow Pitch Alumni and Owner of Sequoia Soaps Michaelee Lazore.

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

Bernice Clarke, Owner and Founder of Uasau Soap Inc., is the 2021 Winner of the Territories Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Final. Located on the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Nunavut, Uasau Soap (pronounced ooh-ah-sow) provides small-batch, handmade products that draw inspiration from prehistoric Inuit tradition and the Nuna. In Inuktitut, Nuna means everything found on the land and in the sea: water, ice, animals, plants, rocks, even the spirits and memories of our ancestors.

“As Inuit, we are reclaiming our traditional wisdom and strength and reconnecting with our ancestors in the modern world,” said Bernice Clarke. “Healing ourselves includes sharing our story and ways of life others, so winning the prize funds would contribute to our growth and our efforts to provide outreach programs for at-risk youth and young Intuit.”

Also moving onto the Finals is Emily Joanasie, Owner of Miqsuqta!, a fabric store located in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Emily started the business in 2019, inspired to support fellow Inuit seamstresses.

“We offer a wide selection in textiles, sewing notions and crafting items, specializing in fabrics ideal for our Northern communities,” said Emily Joanasie. “Prize funds from Pow Wow Pitch would support me to invest in an e-commerce store online and to grow my team.”

The final Territories entrepreneur advancing to the Finals is Joella Hogan, Founder and CEO of The Yukon Soaps Co. YSC creates natural soaps and products that honour indigenous ways of knowing and being, using plants from the local boreal forest while supporting its community in the process.

“I applied to Pow Wow Pitch to be a part of a movement of amplifying indigenous businesses across Turtle Island,” said Joella Hogan. “Winning Pow Wow Pitch would go towards research and development into reducing waste in a way that is grounded with the ecological values of Northerners and which further positions Yukon Soaps as a leader in sustainable business practices and management.”

“Congratulations to Bernice, Emily and Joella 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 Territories Semi-Finals.

Bernice, Emily and Joella 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 the youth pitch for the big prizes, airing on October 20. Click here to register now.

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