Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Facebook, announced Samanntha Nancy Raven De Coteau, Founder of RooferGirl Inc. from Whitefish Lake First Nation in Alberta as the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch People’s Choice Winner.

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. 

As part of the competition, Pow Wow Pitch invited the public to vote for their favourite entrepreneur to win the People’s Choice Prize as part of a campaign to showcase, celebrate and rally around the Semi-Finalists.

Samanntha has won $500 and has advanced to the Finals after receiving more than 2,000 of the more than 30,000 votes as part of the Pow Wow Pitch People’s Choice Awards.

RooferGirl Inc. is a woman-owned roofing company that provides homeowners with quality installed roofing while promoting and encouraging women to join the trades. 

“I applied for Pow Wow Pitch because embarking on a career as an entrepreneur in roofing changed my life,” said Samanntha De Couteau. “Pursuing roofing was empowering for me, improved my confidence, and I became passionate about supporting more women to enter roofing. If I were to win Pow Wow Pitch, Prize funds would support me to launch a RooferGirls Training Program to support more women to enter roofing as a career. Thank you to everyone who helped me to advance to the Finals; this opportunity means so much to me.”

“Congratulations Samanntha 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!” 

Samanntha is 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 Samanntha pitch for the big prizes, airing on October 20. Click here to register now.

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