On September 9, 2026, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts Turtle Island’s premier Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC and Mastercard, announced Shyanne Yellowbird, the Samson Cree Nation Founder of mîmîNîsak, a business based in Pigeon Lake, Alberta, Canada and Marysville, Washington, USA, as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner. Shyanne has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

More than 120 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) were selected as Semi-Finalists in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Each received training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges, competing for the chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale.

The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice was created to foster a culture of giving back, mentorship and community support among Indigenous entrepreneurs. Following the 2026 Semi-Finals, the Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Judges reviewed the pitches of the Runner-Up Semi-Finalists and selected the entrepreneur they believed had the strongest potential in the Grand Finale, giving them another opportunity to advance and compete for the grand prize.

The judging panel featured four Pow Wow Pitch Alumni: Trisha Pitura, Co-Owner and Creative Director of MINI TIPI; Jordan Smith, Founder of Renterii; Cora Kavyaktok, Owner of Little Inuk Photography and Inuk Gold Clothing; and Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres.

“When I received the email, I started crying because I realized I had been given a second chance. I’m truly shocked, thankful and honoured to be announced as the Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner,” said Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak. “After placing as the Runner Up in the Consumer Products & Retail category, this was such a beautiful, unexpected surprise. I’m grateful to have another opportunity to share my vision and continue this journey with Pow Wow Pitch.”

“I’m so excited to get mîmîNîsak into the hands of our community and the world. We have nearly sold out of our first shipment with limited marketing, and organizations and other small businesses are already asking to partner with us. Our next shipment is on the way, and that’s when the real fun will begin.”

Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak, is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from Samson Cree Nation. Through mîmîNîsak, Shyanne is creating a line of dolls inspired by the Cree Little People, bringing Cree stories, teachings and imagination into a product created for children and families. Each character is designed to encourage connection to culture and introduce Indigenous representation into the toys children grow up with.

Shyanne first joined Pow Wow Pitch in 2025, when she won the Startup Semi-Final with mîmîNîsak. She returned in 2026 with a stronger pitch and significant progress in her business, earning Runner Up in the Consumer Products & Retail Semi-Final before being selected by Pow Wow Pitch Alumni to advance to the Grand Finale as the 2026 Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner.

In her pitch, Shyanne shared that winning the $25,000 Grand Prize would help her strengthen the foundation of mîmîNîsak as she continues bringing the dolls to market. She plans to use the funding to reduce manufacturing debt, cover legal and operational costs, and invest in marketing to introduce mîmîNîsak to more families and customers.

The judges congratulated Shyanne on the progress she has made with mîmîNîsak since her first Pow Wow Pitch journey in 2025. They were impressed by how she has continued developing her idea into a growing business and by the creativity and cultural significance behind her products. Her return with a stronger pitch and clear progress demonstrated her commitment to continuing to build mîmîNîsak and bring her vision to life.

“It’s always inspiring to see how much entrepreneurs grow since their first Pow Wow Pitch journey. Shyanne has taken her vision she shared with Pow Wow Pitch in 2025 and continued to build and strengthen mîmîNîsak into something truly special, a product that brings Cree stories, culture and imagination into the lives of children and families,” said Trisha Pitura, co-founder of MINI TIPI and 2026 Alumni Choice Judge. “Her persistence, creativity, and continued commitment to bringing her vision to life really stood out to us, and we’re excited to see her move forward to the Grand Finale as the Alumni Choice Winner.”

“Congratulations to Shyanne Yellowbird on being selected as the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice Winner,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “It has been exciting to watch Shyanne continue to grow mîmîNîsak since joining us last year. To see her return with an even stronger business and then be chosen by fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs for another opportunity to compete in the Grand Finale makes this recognition especially meaningful. We are so excited to see what comes next for Shyanne and mîmîNîsak.”

“We’re committed to playing a role in paving a path forward for Indigenous entrepreneurs, exemplified by our support of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Brittanee Laverdure, Director, Truth and Reconciliation Office, RBC Origins. “Pow Wow Pitch offers a holistic support system to power the next generation of Indigenous innovators across Turtle Island, including this year’s participants and semi-finalists.”

“The creativity, determination, and ambition demonstrated by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been truly inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “We’re proud to work alongside partners like Pow Wow Pitch by mentoring pitchers, representing Mastercard’s commitment to help remove barriers and open pathways to growth and economic opportunity. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their business ideas, entrepreneurial journeys, and stories, and a special congratulations to Shyanne Yellowbird for advancing to the next round.”

To watch Shyanne’s winning pitch, click here, to watch the full Alumni Choice episode, click here.

Shyanne will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 21, 2026. Register to watch the 2026 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

The post Shyanne Yellowbird, mîmîNîsak, wins 2026 Alumni Choice  appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On September 10th, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC and Mastercard, announced Shyanne, Samson Cree Nation First Nation Founder of mîmîNîsak, a business based in Seattle, WA, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Startup Semi-Final Winner. Shyanne has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their business.

More than 130 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) were selected as Semi-Finalists in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Each received training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges, competing for the chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. Eleven Startup Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.

Judges included Chris Hunt, Director Senior Commercial Markets at RBC; Chetan Singh, Director of Product Management at Mastercard; Sherry Zah, Vice President at Best Buy Canada; Brianna Babineau, Recruitment Partner of Government Services at Altis Recruitment; and Mélanie Bernard, Co-Founder & Co-Owner at MINI TIPI.

“When I found out, I felt a wave of gratitude, pride, and excitement,” said Shyanne Yellowbird, founder of mîmîNîsak. “First and foremost, I want to thank myself for believing in me. But truly, I am so thankful for my support system; my family, my culture, my mom, and my boyfriend. Being able to return home after being laid off gave me the space and freedom to explore what I truly wanted to do next. My family has always been there, even when the outside world feels heavy, and my boyfriend has been my calm in the storm, creating a space where I feel safe and strong. I’m grateful for my journey as an Indigenous woman and everything it has taught me. I’m also thankful to Pow Wow Pitch and my mentor Kathryn, who helped me shape and share my story with confidence. Winning the Startup Semi-Final filled me with both nerves and excitement, but more than anything, I’m eager to see where this path leads next.”

Shyanne Yellowbird, founder of mîmîNîsak, is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and creative force from Samson Cree Nation. With a deep-rooted love for Indigenous storytelling, Shyanne brings ancestral teachings to life through imaginative design and land based memory. Her brand, mîmîNîsak, introduces a unique line of dolls inspired by the Cree Little People, spiritual beings known for their guidance, mischief, and protection. These characters are more than toys; they are memory keepers and quiet teachers meant to reconnect children and families with Indigenous knowledge systems. Each doll is carefully crafted to spark imagination, preserve culture, and carry the whisper of stories often left untold.

In her pitch, Shyanne shared her plan to use the funds to bring mîmîNîsak to life. With the funds, she will manufacture the first 3,000 dolls, support ethical packaging design, secure legal copyrights, and launch an influencer campaign to amplify the project’s reach. Her goal is to create culturally grounded toys that can be placed in homes, schools, and communities across Turtle Island. With every doll, Shyanne hopes to remind children of their connection to spirit, story, and land. mîmîNîsak is not just a toy line. It is a movement rooted in joy, cultural preservation, and Indigenous imagination.

“Sometimes it can feel like you’ve been putting in the work forever with no reward,” says Shyanne. “The idea for mîmîNîsak came to me last year, and at first, I had no idea how to bring it to life. It took eight months of on-and-off research, questions, and trial and error before it started to feel right. Then I came across Pow Wow Pitch, and everything shifted. It gave me the momentum and support I needed to move from concept to creation. For me, it’s been a mix of persistence, consistency, and discipline. That kind of perseverance is in our blood as Indigenous people. It’s why we’re still here today.”

“To any Indigenous entrepreneur out there with a vision that feels different or bold, I want you to know it’s possible,” she adds. “Believe in yourself. Let your culture fuel your creativity. We didn’t survive generations of attempted erasure to dim our light or shrink ourselves. Your ideas matter, and your voice belongs in every space you dream of entering. As cliché as it sounds, the path forward really is about not giving up. Keep going, because what you’re building could be the medicine someone else has been waiting for.”

The judges appreciated Shyanne’s great product, clear passion, and bold vision behind the business idea. They were impressed by her entrepreneurial mindset and ability to spot unique opportunities.

“Congratulations to Shyanne on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Through mîmîNîsak, Shyanne is weaving Cree stories and ancestral knowledge, culture, and teachings into beautifully crafted toys that spark imagination, preserve culture, and inspire connection. Her creativity, perseverance, and commitment to cultural preservation is exactly the kind of impact we are proud to celebrate at Pow Wow Pitch.”

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Startup industry category. Sherri Adams, Founder of Auntie’s Qaspeqs & Goodies, was commended for her fantastic pitch, energy, and clear communication of her plan. They judges were especially impressed by how she blends her product with storytelling and admired her passion and commitment.

“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous changemakers who are making a meaningful impact through their passion, creativity, and determination,” said Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. “We are so inspired by all the participants and semi-finalists – their ingenuity and perseverance to bring their innovative ideas to life is truly commendable. At RBC, we are committed to supporting their entrepreneurial journey and celebrating their successes.”

“The talent and determination showcased by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “Our team at Mastercard works closely with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to break down barriers and create new opportunities for growth and economic prosperity across Canada. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their ideas and stories, and a special congratulations to Shyanne Yellowbird for advancing to the next round.”

To watch Shyanne’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Creative Semi-Final episode, click here.

Shyanne will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 22, 2025. Register to watch the 2025 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

The post Shyanne Yellowbird, mîmîNîsak, wins Startup Semi-Final appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.