T.Jay Henhawk, owner of Ever Deadly and proud member of Six Nations of the Grand River, is carving out space at the intersection of innovation and culture. Based in his home community in Ontario, T.Jay offers creative development services that span large-scale tech solutions and artistic design, including an Indigenous-infused wellness portal he built from the ground up. With each project, Ever Deadly integrates Indigenous culture and sensibilities into the digital world, bridging ancestral knowledge with modern tools. T.Jay’s mission is to Indigenize the future by empowering Indigenous youth and sparking pride through digital cultural expression.

As both a creative and a technologist, T.Jay has already achieved major milestones. His wellness portal blends technology and Indigenous knowledge in a way that centers wellness, representation, and community engagement. Beyond that, he has led and completed an array of creative projects, from visual artwork and website design to graphical illustrations and 3D printing, each reflecting deep cultural integrity and technical precision. Whether it is a digital platform or a single graphic element, every creation contributes to the broader goal of making Indigenous perspectives visible and valued in the tech and design world.

T.Jay applied to Pow Wow Pitch to amplify his voice and vision in a space where Indigenous innovation is celebrated. He saw the program as an opportunity to showcase his work, connect with like-minded creators, and gather valuable feedback. Participating in the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals has offered exposure, encouragement, and insight into how his work can evolve to serve even more people. For T.Jay, the most powerful part of the experience has been sharing space with other Indigenous tech and creative entrepreneurs who are also dreaming big and building change.

Mentorship has played a central role in T.Jay’s journey. He draws guidance from a diverse circle that includes community elders, cultural educators, and digital media professionals. Elders help root his work in cultural protocol, ensuring that each creative decision is made with respect and authenticity. Cultural educators help shape his narrative, offering insight into how stories and traditions can be told through modern mediums. On the technical side, mentors have provided support on everything from user experience to platform architecture. Together, these relationships ensure his work remains grounded, innovative, and community-first.

For aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, T.Jay offers powerful advice: “Start with purpose. Let your culture, passion, and community guide your vision.” He emphasizes the importance of seeking out mentorship from both cultural and technical leaders, staying authentic, and being willing to adapt as you grow. “Our creativity has power,” he says. “Not just to build businesses, but to inspire cultural resurgence and new pathways for the next generation.” Above all, T.Jay urges others to believe in their capacity to innovate. “Your unique voice matters, especially in spaces where we’ve been underrepresented for too long.”

T.Jay continues to reflect on how creative freedom fuels his vision, and how passion and purpose walk hand in hand in his journey with Ever Deadly. He is building more than a brand, he’s building a movement to bring Indigenous worldviews into the digital landscape, one powerful project at a time.

Watch T.Jay pitch Ever Deadly in the Technology category airing on September 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET. Click here to see all episodes: powwowpitch.org/episodes.

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On September 16th, 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, Shopify and Mastercard Canada, announced Darion Ducharme & Zachary Flett, the Lac Seul and Sagkeeng First Nations Co-Founders of Teqare, a business based in Winnipeg, Manitoba as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Technology Semi-Final Winners. Darion and Zachary, winners of the Technology Semi-Finals, presented by Mastercard Canada, have won $1,000 and are advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their business.

More than 300 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. From the 300 applicants, 100 were selected as Semi-Finalists and provided with training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges.

Last night, five Technology Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and advance as a finalist.

Judges included Amisha Parikh, Vice President of Product Management, Cyber & Intelligence Solutions at Mastercard Canada; Jayden Halls, Manager of Project Portfolio Management at RBC; Sydney Piggott, Senior Social Impact Manager at Shopify; Scott Tizzard, Senior Relationship Manager at EDC; and Samantha Mann, Senior Product Communications Specialist at CIRA.

“Zachary and I are deeply grateful to the incredible community that supports us and empowers us to do what we love every day,” shared Darion Ducharme, Owner and Co-Founder of Teqare. “We plan to invest in professional videography to capture one of our scam prevention workshops, particularly one where we assist elders on First Nations. This content will help us showcase the real-world impact of our work and strengthen our outreach to more Nations across Turtle Island.”

Teqare, a 100% Indigenous-owned and operated company, is at the forefront of digital adoption in Canada, offering technology training, education, and support with a focus on our nation’s most vulnerable. Darion and Zachary have spearheaded initiatives such as scam prevention workshops for all ages, both urban and rural communities across Canada. Teqare is doing important work to keep elders’ information safe online.

Darion and Zachary pitched to win funds to grow Teqare’s impact by funding videography projects and recording online resources. They would also like to begin mentoring Indigenous youth to expand their team and bring their workshops full circle.

“One key lesson we’ve learned is that no business idea is too small to make a significant impact,” reflected Darion and Zachary. “Our advice to Indigenous entrepreneurs is to find a mentor who can provide guidance and support. Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams – your passion and dedication will drive success, especially when rooted in community.”

The judges congratulate Darion and Zachary for a job well done in delivering their pitch. The judges applaud their initiative and envision their impact reaching wide across Turtle Island.

“Congratulations Darion and Zachary on your Semi-Final win and for advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Darion and Zachary’s dedication to empowering vulnerable populations of our Indigenous communities through digital education, is truly inspiring. Their vision of using technology for good, while also mentoring the next generation of Indigenous youth, embodies the spirit of community impact. We look forward to spotlighting Darion & Zachary and sharing more about Teqare with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing our impact together.” 

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledge the Runner Up for the Technology industry category. James McInnes, Founder of Prompty, was recognized for his energetic pitch, innovative product, and potential to scale. The judges applaud James on a job well done.

“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous trailblazers who are making a transformative impact on our communities with their resilience, ingenuity and unwavering commitment to success.” said Tracy Antoine, Senior Director of Indigenous Programs and Policies at RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists – their courage to participate leads to life achievements and their shared stories are truly inspirational. We are committed to supporting their growth and success in the future.” 

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honour, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

“The innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch have been truly inspiring,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re committed to working with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to unlock access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs across the diverse communities we serve to power economies and empower people. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Darion & Zachary on advancing to the next round.”

To watch Darion and Zachary’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Technology Semi-Final episode, click here.

Darion & Zachary will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 23rd. Register to watch the 2024 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

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On September 15, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Jordan Smith, the Red River Métis Founder of Renterii from Toronto, Ontario, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Technology Winner. Jordan has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow his business.

More than 2,000 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada and the United States applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. From the 2,000 applicants, 130 were selected as Semi-Finalists and provided with training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges.

Last Friday, Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where the nine Technology Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their tech innovations and businesses in one minute for their chance to win. 

Judges included Carrie Batt, Vice-President of Business Markets of Ontario North and East at RBC; Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Manager Shopify; Ross Strachan, Lead Technical Program Manager at Mastercard; Spencer Callaghan, Director of Brand & Communications at CIRA; and Scott Tizzard, Senior Relationship Manager at EDC.

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pitch and the chance to grow as an entrepreneur on the national stage,” said Jordan Smith, Founder of Renterii. “Pow Wow Pitch has given us all a platform to inspire people from our communities to follow their own dreams.”

Renterii is a rental share app that allows its users to rent everyday items with convenience. Founder, Jordan Smith, created Renterii to innovate the way we share and buy and to “connect communities through sharing”. Jordan hopes to expand Renterii’s community across Canada, establish trusted rental partners with Indigenous businesses, and to further promote the app through digital marketing. 

Jason Thomas, Founder of GeoFireFlow, was honoured as the Runner Up of the Technology Semi-Finals. In addition, the judges provided three Honourable Mentions to Tracy Persson, Founder of My Breast Day Inc.; James McInnes, Founder of Prompty; and, Courtney Hanak, Founder of Oonnie Food Technologies.

“Congratulations to Jordan Smith on advancing to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals for the second year in a row– a demonstration of perseverence,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are so proud of your growth and the innovation Renterii will bring to communities everywhere. Renterii is good for the environment, economy and community and has the potential to scale globally–the right idea at the right time! Jordan, we look forward to watching your impact grow throug your business.” 

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship, and the stories and achievements of this year’s semi-finalists are a testament to their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Michael Ferencich, Senior Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honor, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Manager at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

“At Mastercard, we’ve been inspired by the innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard in Canada. “The future is brighter when Indigenous entrepreneurship is recognized, supported and celebrated, and we are honoured to play a role in continued success and growth of these entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Jordan Smith on advancing to the next round.”

To watch Jordan Smith’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Technology Semi-Final, click here.

Jordan will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19th. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

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In the heart of the 2021 COVID lockdowns, Tracy Persson, a proud mixed Indigenous heritage woman from Grand Prairie, Alberta, faced an unimaginable challenge – a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer. Emerging from 14 months of gruelling treatments, Persson recognized a glaring gap in the resources available for early detection and treatment planning. This realization, coupled with observing the alarming disparities in support available to rural and Indigenous communities, led to the birth of My Breast Day Inc.

“My Breast Day is not just an app; it’s a lifeline,” Persson emphasizes, underscoring her business’s dual mission – to empower individuals in their fight against breast cancer and to reduce healthcare disparities, particularly among underserved, rural, and Indigenous women.

My Breast Day stands out in the crowded digital health space. The app is a holistic breast health companion that offers everything from educational content on early detection to features that help manage treatment post-diagnosis. Persson’s vision is evident in the app’s user-centric design, which encourages regular self-exams, facilitates appointment and medication tracking, and provides financial management tools.

However, the entrepreneurship journey, as rewarding as it has been for Persson, hasn’t come without challenges. “Being an entrepreneur can consume you,” she admits, emphasizing the struggle of maintaining a work-life balance and dealing with uncertainties inherent in any start-up journey.

Persson’s participation in the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch competition, a platform that merges entrepreneurship with Indigenous values, further highlights her commitment to blending business success with cultural heritage. She describes the experience as heartening, stating, “Being part of Pow Wow Pitch has reinforced my commitment to ‘My Breast Day’ and my mission to make a positive impact.”

Drawing inspiration from her Métis and First Nations ancestry, Persson ensures that ‘My Breast Day’ embodies Indigenous values. Respect, balance, reciprocity, and community are not just buzzwords for her; they guide every business decision she makes.

Her journey, supported by influential mentors like Russell Thomas from Mastercard and Ronald Shaluk from RBC, has underscored the importance of data protection in the healthcare sector and the art of connecting emotionally while pitching a business idea.

For Persson, entrepreneurship is about creative freedom and carving her own path. “It’s okay to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and dare to do things differently,” she reflects.

Her advice to budding Indigenous entrepreneurs is succinct: “Start today!” She emphasizes that every entrepreneurial journey is unique, and it’s essential to trust your instincts and redefine what success means for you.

In concluding her interview, Persson returns to her core mission. She stresses the importance of breast health awareness and early detection, encouraging every woman to take proactive steps toward their health. She says, “Early detection truly does save lives, and it starts with you taking charge of your health.” As she rightly states, even if one life is impacted positively by her efforts, she will have achieved victory.

Register to watch Tracy pitch at the Technology Semi-Final Online Watch Party on September 15, 2023, at 6 PM ET and vote for Tracy to win the 2023 People’s Choice Prize (#61) before September 17, 2023.

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