MINI TIPI is a Canadian lifestyle brand that designs and manufactures its products locally in Gatineau, Canada, with a dedicated team of 18 employees. The brand stands apart as a leader in creating authentic Indigenous designs, offering both signature in-house designs and meaningful collaborations with Indigenous artists across Turtle Island. Through these designs, MINI TIPI ensures thoughtful representation while celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures. With its artist royalty program and giveback initiatives, the brand has become recognized for its strong artistic partnerships, community involvement, and commitment to local manufacturing.   

As part of this ongoing collaboration, MINI TIPI will contribute to Pow Wow Pitch programming by participating in the Indigenous Entrepreneur Bootcamp, sharing knowledge and guidance with emerging entrepreneurs. Co-Founder Trisha Pitura will also return as an Alumni Choice judge during the Semi-Finals, helping select a finalist to advance to the Grand Finale.

Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, shared, “We’re excited to be part of Pow Wow Pitch again this year. Having pitched ourselves, we understand how valuable this experience can be. Pow Wow Pitch creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to step forward, share their ideas, and grow in ways that stay with them long after the competition.”

Mélanie Bernard, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, added, “Our continued partnership with Pow Wow Pitch reflects our commitment to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and contributing to a strong and connected business community. It’s important to us to stay involved and give back in ways that support others on their journey.”

Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, shared, “Working with our alumni in this way speaks to the strength of the community we are building together. We’re grateful to Trisha and Mélanie for continuing to show up and support others. MINI TIPI represents what it means to grow and give back.”

Together, Pow Wow Pitch and MINI TIPI continue to create opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to build, connect, and share their stories. This collaboration reflects the value of Indigenous-led partnerships and the strength that comes from supporting one another.

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 MINI TIPI

MINI TIPI is a Canadian brand which operates and manufactures its products locally in Gatineau, Canada with their team of eleven. Setting themselves apart by being leaders in creating authentic Indigenous designs and collaborating with Indigenous artists to create proper representation and celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures. Through their artist royalty program and giveback initiatives, MINI TIPI has become leaders in artistic collaborations, community involvement, and local manufacturing.

For more information, visit minitipi.ca.

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MINI TIPI is an Indigenous lifestyle brand that operates and manufactures its products locally in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, with the purpose of addressing the lack of authentic Indigenous-designed textiles. MINI TIPI is a brand that also collaborates with Indigenous artists to create exclusive designs ensuring proper representation in the textile industry. Through their artist royalty program and giveback initiatives, MINI TIPI became a leader in Indigenous designed textiles, artistic collaborations and community involvement.

In alignment with MINI TIPI’s give back initiatives, they will be contributing to Pow Wow Pitch’s mission to support and empower Indigenous entrepreneurs by participating in the Indigenous Entrepreneur Bootcamp to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Additionally, Trisha Pitura will also be welcomed back as an Alumni Choice judge in the Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals to select an outstanding pitcher to move into the Grand Finale for this year’s competition.

Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, shared her excitement about being part of Pow Wow Pitch: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with Pow Wow Pitch for another year. We’ve pitched three times ourselves as entrepreneurs, and the growth we’ve experienced thanks to the opportunities from Pow Wow Pitch has been incredible. We truly believe in and support everything they do to uplift entrepreneurs—giving them a platform to shine, dream big, and share their stories.”

Mélanie Bernard, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, echoes Trisha’s statement, sharing, “MINI TIPI is committed to partnering with Pow Wow Pitch as a way to help strengthen the supportive community for Indigenous entrepreneurs. This partnership is a reflection of our dedication to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and contributing to the growth of a vibrant ecosystem that supports Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, highlighted the importance of collaborating with alumni, saying, “Partnering with our Pow Wow Pitch Alumni represents the kind of growth we aim to achieve. We’re incredibly grateful to Trisha and Mélanie for giving back to the community in such a meaningful way. MINI TIPI truly embodies the spirit of reciprocity and the importance of empowering the next generation.”

Pow Wow Pitch and MINI TIPI are fostering a vibrant ecosystem where Indigenous entrepreneurs can thrive. This partnership exemplifies the power of Indigenous-led collaborations in advancing Indigenous entrepreneurship—creating space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to shine, share their stories, and build successful, sustainable businesses.

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 MINI TIPI

MINI TIPI is a Canadian brand which operates and manufactures its products locally in Gatineau, Canada with their team of eleven. Setting themselves apart by being leaders in creating authentic Indigenous designs and collaborating with Indigenous artists to create proper representation and celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures. Through their artist royalty program and giveback initiatives, MINI TIPI has become leaders in artistic collaborations, community involvement, and local manufacturing.

For more information, visit minitipi.ca.

The post Pow Wow Pitch partners with MINI TIPI to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On Saturday, June 24th, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Mastercard, Invest Ottawa and ADAAWE, announced its 2023 Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch Winners. Amongst those winners, were an additional three prizes, courtesy of MINI TIPI. 

“MINI TIPI is super excited to be part of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Trisha Pitura, Co-founder of MINI TIPI. “We’ve actually pitched three times, participating as entrepreneurs. To see the progress we have made from the opportunities we’ve received from Pow Wow Pitch is unbelievable. We love and support everything that Pow Wow Pitch does for entrepreneurs to give them that space and stage to stand out, dream big, and tell their story. This year we really wanted to allow entrepreneurs to have more opportunities, so MINI TIPI has given three prizes of $1,000 each, from entrepreneur to entrepreneur, to lift each other up and to see us all succeed together.”

Two of these prizes were presented during the Top 10 announcement and were selected by the first-round of judges, Jason McDonald, Business Development 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. 

The Community Impact Prize was awarded to the pitcher that showed passion and dedication to giving back to Indigenous communities and helping others. The Start Up Prize was awarded to the pitcher that is at the beginning stages of their entrepreneurial journey but also showed great potential and drive.

The Community Impact Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Alexandra Whiteduck, Co-Progrect Manager of Project Nibi, for her commitment  to gain access to clean water to Indigenous communities. Project Nibi is 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. Alexandra was also selected into the Top 10. “I feel so honoured to win this award and to make it into the Top 10,” said Alexandra. “I’m super excited to see how everyone comes out after being mentored and seeing everyone’s new pitches!” Alexandra goes on to say about the Pow Wow Pitch experience, “It’s just one minute of your life but it could change your life forever.”

The Start Up Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Shannon David, Owner of Shannon David Leather Creations, in recognition of her potential and drive to succeed. Shannon David Leather Creations specializes in traditional weaving using leather materials. She pours her spirit into her creations, making each design so unique. “I’m so thankful a friend told me about Pow Wow Pitch,” said Shannon. “The event was so professional and welcoming. I really felt the love and I made connections that will help my small business. Nia:wen to the Pow Wow Pitch Family, I will use this big check to purchase leather and continue to grow my business.”

The judges also made an honourable mention to Kona Decoursey, Owner of Love, Koko, for her artistic drive and courage. Kona took home a bundle of gifts including a MINI TIPI bag and Pow Wow Pitch swag. Love, Koko is a streetwear brand that captures Indigenous design in urban style clothing. “It was a real feel good moment for me, I was very honoured,” said Kona.

Pow Wow Pitch welcomed Trisha Pitura, Co-founder of MINI TIPI to the judges table for Round 2, where she listened to and judged the Top 10 pitches, from which she selected the winner of the third MINI TIPI Prize of $1,000.

The MINI TIPI Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Marissa Dube, Founder of Eiralize Lashes for her all around presentation, attention to product quality, and potential to scale. Eiralize Lashes is 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!”

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. Trisha saw great potential in Desiree’s Bougie Board, which is a beading tool that allows beaders to take their craft wherever they go with ease. “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.”

“We live for full circle moments like this,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. ”We are so thankful to Trisha and Mélanie, for giving back to the community in this way. MINI TIPI understands the importance of reciprocity and investing in future generations.”

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Trisha and Mélanie, the founders of MINI TIPI, are business partners but they are also close friends. They met each other in an aqua fitness class when they were both young moms, and their friendship flourished as they bonded over their passion for textiles and sewing.

Trisha, a member of the Nipissing First Nation, had always been fascinated by fabrics and started to create small baby projects at home. Mélanie, on the other hand, had a knack for branding and knew what people wanted. She encouraged Trisha to start selling her creations on Facebook and Etsy.

After a while, their hobby turned into a business, and MINI TIPI was born. Trisha and Mélanie’s vision was to celebrate Indigenous art and culture by collaborating with artists to create beautiful, authentic designs. They wanted to build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and share their culture with the world. Their shared vision and passion for promoting their culture and artistry have driven MINI TPI’s success, and they continue to inspire others to follow their passions and make a positive impact on their communities.

Their journey has not been easy, but they have persevered through the challenges. Trisha and Mélanie have worked hard to balance their business with their family responsibilities, but they knew that they were building something that would last. For them, “entrepreneurship is not just about creating a business. It’s about creating a legacy,” said on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast.

Today, MINI TIPI has been operating for six years, and their products can be found in stores across Canada, such as Simons and various local retailers. Trisha and Mélanie continue to inspire others with their passion for textiles and their commitment to celebrating Indigenous art and culture. 

Trisha and Mélanie’s ultimate hope is to inspire and empower other Indigenous entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. They want to be role models for other Indigenous women and show them that anything is possible if they have the determination and resilience to overcome challenges and obstacles.

Listen to their episode on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast now! powwowpitch.org/podcast/

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