On Thursday, February 22, 2024, 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, announced Chandra LeBlanc, Founder of Forage & Feast, from Natoaganeg First Nation as the first-ever NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch Winner, in collaboration with Joint Economic Development Initiative  (JEDI) and Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick (ITANB). The First Nation-owned business has won $1,000 for their business and will advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals.

On Thursday, 21 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for their chance to win cash prizes to advance their businesses. 

The NB Indigenous Tourism Summit is a two-day conference co-hosted by JEDI and ITANB, with headline speakers, including a keynote from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada CEO, Keith Henry, presentations from New Brunswick tourism leaders, and informative workshops and tourism experiences.   

Pow Wow Pitch welcomed judges Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI, Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI, and Karen Narvey, CEO of ITANB, to adjudicate and listen to the pitches of vendors and attendees.

Chandra LeBlanc is the Founder of Forest & Forage, an Indigenous tourism startup offering guided walking tours and culinary experiences centered around mushroom foraging and land knowledge. Chandra is a self-taught mushroom enthusiast and shared in her pitch that she plans to launch a diverse mushroom product line and secure partnerships to establish her tours.

“I think this is going to open a lot of doors for me,” shared Chandra. “I am very grateful for Pow Wow Pitch and the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit, it has taught me a lot and I’m very excited to see what the future brings!”

The Second-Place $800 Prize Winner was Stone Bear, Founder of Wolastoq Adventures, an illuminated kayaking experience offering new and innovative avenues to enjoy nature. Stone shared in his pitch that he wishes to expand Wolastoq Adventure’s marketing reach, purchase more kayaks, and acquire more staff members to their team. 

“It’s a privilege and an honour to place second with Pow Wow Pitch,” shared Stone. “We are really excited to help add to our business and grow our team. Thank you very much to Pow Wow Pitch, it was a lot of fun!” 

The Third-Place $600 winner was Ashley Sanipass, Founder of Mi’kmaq Art Experience, a hands-on art experience created to teach the traditional art styles and language of the Mi’kmaq people through workshops and art kits. Ashley pitched to win funds to develop her youth programming and to provide more materials and variety to her art kits.

“I am so excited to have won third place with Pow Wow Pitch,” shared Ashley. “It makes me feel really proud that people believe in me and my business.”

“Chandra, Stone, and Ashley, congratulations on your remarkable achievement as the winners of the first-ever NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Your dedication to creating authentic and enriching experiences within your communities is truly commendable. We look forward to continuing collaborating with our partners in New Brunswick to support Indigenous entrepreneurship and achieving even greater milestones together into the future.”

“Congratulations to Chandra, Stone, and Ashley, on winning the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch,” said Karen Narvey, Executive Director of Indigenous Tourism New Brunswick. “Your unwavering dedication and innovative spirit shine brightly. Pow Wow Pitch stands as an incredible platform to highlight and provide indispensable resources and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive in our dynamic tourism sector.”

“We are always so happy to collaborate with Pow Wow Pitch to create opportunities that support and highlight the immense talent we have here in New Brunswick,” said Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI. “Congratulations to the incredible winners of the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch, your initiative brightens our community and we are so excited to follow your journeys.”

All those who pitched are automatically entered into the Turtle Island (North American) Pow Wow Pitch competition and will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support. All pitchers have gained access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box and on Pow Wow Market for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous,’ and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA, and a 60-day free Shopify Trial.

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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, announced its new collaboration with the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit taking place in Fredericton, New Brunswick on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Delta Fredericton Hotel, 225 Woodstock Rd, Fredericton, NB E3B 2H8. 

The NB Indigenous Tourism Summit is a conference co-hosted by the Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick (ITANB) and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI). The Summit features a two-day conference with headline speakers, including a keynote from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada CEO, Keith Henry, presentations from New Brunswick tourism leaders, and informative workshops and tourism experiences. 

How It Works 

Indigenous entrepreneurs and vendors at the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit, are invited to visit the Pow Wow Pitch table between 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Indigenous entrepreneurs can pitch their business or business idea in 1-minute for their chance to win cash prizes on-site and to get a chance to advance in the Pow Wow Pitch North American Indigenous Pitch Competition.

Pitch entries will be recorded and reviewed by a panel of judges followed by a Winner’s Announcement at 4:00 p.m. on stage. Prizes include a 1st Place Prize of $1,000, a 2nd Place Prize of $800, and a 3rd Place Prize of $600. The 1st place winner will also advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals for their chance to win $25,000. 

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit and our partners at the Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick and the Joint Economic Development Initiative,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Tourism holds immense significance for Indigenous communities, serving as a conduit for cultural preservation and economic empowerment. New Brunswick boasts a rich tapestry of Indigenous culture and creativity, making it a treasure trove for visitors seeking authentic Indigenous experiences. We are eagerly anticipating our presence at the New Brunswick Indigenous Tourism Summit and cannot wait to engage with all Indigenous entrepreneurs. It’s an opportunity for us to extend a warm welcome to them into the Pow Wow Pitch community and forge meaningful connections that foster growth and success.”

“Pow Wow Pitch provides essential resources and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to excel in our tourism sector,” said Karen Narvey, Executive Director of Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick. “Indigenous entrepreneurs are pivotal in showcasing our cultural heritage and enriching our tourism offerings. We look forward to partnering with Pow Wow Pitch to further support Indigenous entrepreneurs and enhance our impact together on New Brunswick’s tourism industry.”

“Our collaboration with Pow Wow Pitch at the Natoaganeg Powwow in 2023 showcased the impact that supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship can have on our communities and cultural preservation,” said Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI.  “JEDI recognizes the immense potential of Indigenous businesses to enrich our tourism landscape and drive economic growth while honoring our heritage. We are thrilled to welcome Pow Wow Pitch back and extend our support to provide Indigenous entrepreneurs with prizes and recognition that celebrates their achievements, further empowering them to succeed and contribute to our vibrant tourism industry.”

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 Pow Wow Market for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous,’ and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA, and a 60-day free Shopify Trial.

To learn more about the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit, please visit: https://jedinb.ca/jedi-plenary. 

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