Lisa Perley Dutcher, Kehkimin, wins A Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch

Lisa Perley Dutcher, Kehkimin, wins A Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch

First-Place Winner, Lisa Perley-Dutcher, Founder and Director of Kehkimin, a non-profit Wolastoqey Language Immersion School, founded her school with the purpose to replenish and revitalize the traditional language and knowledge of the Walostoqey people. “Pow Wow Pitch is supporting something that is so vital to our people and our language,” said Lisa. “[with the funding and in-kind support] we can make sure that our new students are well supported.”

Charles Kruger, Kruger Mountain Gear, wins 2023 Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch

Charles Kruger, Kruger Mountain Gear, wins 2023 Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch

The winning business, Kruger Mountain Gear, is a local outdoors brand that is making a name for itself through their unique elk call tool, patented as ‘Okanagan Elk Battle Tubes’ & ‘Arrow Lakes Elk Battle Tubes.’ As part of the pitch, Charles spoke passionately about his strides in local elk conservation as well as traditional hunting practices he uses in hunting knowledge sharing. “This Pow Wow Pitch was a super experience,” said First-Place Winner Charles Kruger, Founder of Kruger Mountain Gear. “I came back to try it again (for a second attempt) and it gave me a chance to grow and sharpen my skills and speak from my heart. Pow Wow Pitch makes people feel comfortable and welcome. It was a great experience.”

Futurpreneur and Pow Wow Pitch Grow to Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Futurpreneur and Pow Wow Pitch Grow to Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs

“Pow Wow Pitch provides a platform to accelerate and foster Indigenous entrepreneurship while boosting Indigenous economic resiliency, aligning completely with Futurpreneur’s mission,” said Holly Atjecoutay, the Director of Futurpreneur’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program. “Young Indigenous entrepreneurs nationwide benefit greatly when Indigenous service providers partner together with the common goal of championing and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship success.”

Curtis Bartibogue, Turtle Island Aqua Inc. wins 2023 Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch

Curtis Bartibogue, Turtle Island Aqua Inc. wins 2023 Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch

First-Place Winner, Turtle Island Aqua Inc. was created by Roche Sappier from Tobique First Nation. Turtle Island Aqua Inc. is an award-winning water company with water that is locally sourced from a protected area in New Brunswick and was created through inspiration from Roche’s traditional knowledge of nature and water. Turtle Island Aqua Inc. participated in Pow Wow Pitch to raise funds to improve packaging. According to Curtis Bartibogue, Director of Marketing and Sales and spokesperson for the business, “Our long-term goal is to help Indigenous communities that have no access to pure and healthy drinking water.”

NACCA and Pow Wow Pitch Launch 3-Year Partnership to Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs

NACCA and Pow Wow Pitch Launch 3-Year Partnership to Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs

“Pow Wow Pitch has demonstrated the importance of celebration and providing a platform to encourage Entrepreneurship,” said Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of NACCA. “Partnering with Pow Wow Pitch, which is a powerful platform at the top of the funnel of Indigenous entrepreneurs into the business ecosystem, makes a lot of sense, so that NACCA and our Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) can provide follow-on support to support them along their journey. This multi-year agreement is a good step forward in creating an integrated ecosystem driving the future of Indigenous-led entrepreneurial growth.”