On May 21, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced Erica Daniels, the Cree/Ojibway Owner and Founder of Kejic Productions, as the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Manito Ahbee Winner and one of two Fan Favourite Prize Winners. Erica has won $5,500 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

More than 40 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Following a first round open pitch, judges Destiny Lynn Seymour, Founder of Indigo Arrows, Debbie Read, Indigenous Policy Lead at Meta, Monica James, Regional Manager of Client Diversity and Indigenous Entrepreneurs at BDC, and Holly Courchene, Manitoba Regional Coordinator at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, shortlisted the Top 10 entrepreneurs, who were then matched with mentors from Futurpreneur, RBC, ITAC and North Forge to prepare for their final pitch. 

The Top 10 entrepreneurs then pitched on the APTN Ignite Your Spirit Stage competing for the top prizes. While Judges deliberated, Jordan Knight and Davey Gott, Hosts of NCI FM, Manitoba’s Indigenous Radio Station, joined to rally the crowd to select two Fan Favourites.

“It was so exciting to see so many people pitching and to see our community really thriving,” said First-Place Winner Erica Daniels. “This is my third time pitching, so I just want to encourage everyone not to give up to thank our community for all the support they give us.”

Erica’s business, Kejic Productions, is a Winnipeg-based company that creates, develops and produces films and community and corporate videos, provides event photography and marketing services, and supports Indigenous youth with on-the-job training. 

Erica hopes to win the Grand Prize to expand her production company. 

“Winning the $25,000 would help us purchase more equipment, move into a larger production studio to produce our films in-house and provide more employment opportunities to emerging Indigenous filmmakers,” said Erica. 

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Amy Jackson, Founder and CEO of Nativelovenotes and the Third-Place Winner of $1,000, also winning the second Fan Favourite $500 prize, was Shaun Rayland-Boubar, Founder of Red Rebel Armour. Amy, Shaun and all those who pitched in Winnipeg are still in the running for the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch and will find out in July if they advance to the Semi-Finals.

“Congratulations to Erica on her Gold Ticket win to advance to the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Kejic Productions is an incredible business leading by example. We look forward to spotlighting and sharing Erica’s business with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing together.” 

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship, and the stories and achievements of this year’s pitchers are a testament to their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Dale Sturges, National Director for Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “We’re so proud of all of our participants and winners, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada and the United States are invited to submit their 1-minute pitch to qualify for Pow Wow Pitch before June 21, 2022, at powwowpitch.org/pitch to win $200,000 in prizes from $500 to $25,000. 

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Last night, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Facebook, announced Cree and Objiway Executive Producer of Kejic Productions Erica Daniels from the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba as the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Prairies Winner.

Erica has won $500 and has advanced to the Finals along with Tasha Power, Co-Founder and CMO of Kanatan Health Solutions from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB; Devon Fiddler, Founder & CEO of SheNative Goods from Waterhen Lake First Nation, SK; and, Harlan Wade Kingfisher, Founder & CEO of Smudge the Blades from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, SK. 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-five Indigenous entrepreneurs from the Prairies pitched to a panel of judges, including RBC Vice President of Indigenous Banking Herb ZoBell; Shopify Support Advisor Cassie Singer; EDC National Lead for Indigenous-Led Exporters Todd Evans; Pow Wow Pitch Alumni and serial entrepreneur Matthew Nahdee; 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 regional winner. 

The winner

The 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Prairies Winner is Executive Producer of Kejic Productions Erica Daniels. Kejic Productions is a Winnipeg-based production company that provides a wide variety of video production services, photography and graphic design. 

“This was my second year applying for Pow Wow Pitch,” said Erica Daniels. “I wanted to return because it is such an excellent opportunity to network and market your business. In addition, prize funds would help me expand and provide opportunities for up-and-coming Indigenous filmmakers.”

The finalists

Also moving onto the Final is Tasha Power, Co-Founder and CMO of Kanatan Health Solutions. Kanatan manufactures small-batch natural health products like hand sanitizers, handwash soaps, lotions and balms, and face masks.

“We applied to Pow Wow Pitch to help us get the word out about our business and to share how we have grown,” said Tasha Power. “Through Pow Wow Pitch, we are benefiting from mentorship and gaining recognition for our community.”

Devon Fiddler started SheNative Goods in 2014 as its CEO and Chief Changemaker. SheNative is a brand of leather goods and sustainable apparel dedicated to instilling inner strength and confidence in women. 

“I felt that now was the time to apply to Pow Wow Pitch because SheNative has been gaining momentum after some major pivots,” said Devon Fiddler. “If I were to win, the $25,000 would contribute to expanding our design facilities, investing in production equipment, training employees, and contracting a digital marketing agency.”

The final Prairies entrepreneur advancing to the Final is Harlan Wade Kingfisher, Founder & CEO of Smudge the Blades, an Indigenous hockey apparel brand and clothing line for Indigenous youth, parents, kokums, mushums and hockey players. Smudge the Blades fosters pride and invests in opportunities for Indigenous youth to play hockey through its scholarship program. 

“I applied to Pow Wow Pitch to join a ‘deadly’ community of Indigenous-owned businesses and to take my brand to the next level,” said Harlan Kingfisher. “Prize funds would support our marketing efforts, website upgrade, inventory for the holiday season, collaborations with Indigenous graphic artists, and our scholarship program.”

“Congratulations to Erica, Tasha, Devon and Harlan 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 Prairies Semi-Finals.

Erica, Tasha, Devon and Harlan are advancing to the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Finale 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. 

Voting remains open for the People’s Choice Award until midnight on September 26. Everyone can vote for their favourite entrepreneur to get an Express Pass to the Grand Finale. There is one vote per person. Vote now. 

Everyone can also register for free to watch the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to watchErica, Tasha, Devon and Harlan pitch for the big prizes, airing on October 20. Click here to register now.

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