On September 19th, 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 Simon Monteith, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Founder of Simon The Scientist, a business based in Winnipeg, Manitoba as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice Semi-Final Winner. Simon has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow his 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.

The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Choice was created to foster a culture of giving back, mentorship, community support and empowerment across the Indigenous entrepreneur community. The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Judges scored and selected the Semi-Finalist who they believe have the potential to win Pow Wow Pitch to advance to the Grand Finale. 

This year, the Alumni Choice Judge’s were Cece Meadows, Founder and CEO of Prados Beauty; Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of MINI TIPI; Bernice Clarke, Founder and Owner of Uasau Soap; Anthony Wingham, Co-Founder of Nuez Acres; and Alana Cook, 2023 2nd Place Pow Wow Pitch Winner and Founder of Walking Like Warriors.

“It means a lot to me knowing that past Pow Wow Pitch winners see something in me and my business,” shared Simon Monteith, Founder of Simon The Scientist. “I am very proud of myself for having a business that is worthy of this award and recognition and I am so thankful to the Alumni community. Their opinion means so much to me because it signifies that Simon the Scientist might have a shot at winning!”

Simon Monteith, the eleven-year old, Opaskwayak Cree, is the online creator behind Simon the Scientist. Simon began sharing science experiments at home in 2020 and since then has created the social media presence of Simon the Scientist known across Turtle Island. He is inspiring Indigenous youth through his science experiments, live streams, and educational videos. Simon plans to expand the impact of Simon the Scientist by incorporating merchandise with designs from Indigenous artists.

Simon pitched to win funds to purchase more technology to support his video making. He hopes to reach young people in Northern and remote communities to continue inspiring and incorporating new ideas and culture with all things science. Simon hopes to establish Simon The Scientist as a not-for-profit organization paving the way for Indigenous youth in STEM. 

“I have learned so many skills like public speaking and making decisions,” reflected Simon. “My advice is to keep having fun with entrepreneurship, it’s so much better when it is fun!”

“Congratulations Simon on winning Alumni Choice and advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Simon’s journey has been truly remarkable, year after year he returns strong, more determined, and always inspiring. His ability to captivate the hearts and minds of our community with his passion for science and his unwavering commitment to inspiring Indigenous youth speaks volumes about his drive to create real, lasting change. Simon is a shining example of youth leadership, and we are all looking forward to seeing him shine in the Grand Finale. His impact on Turtle Island and beyond is only just the beginning, and we know he will continue to inspire for years to come.” 

“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 Simon on advancing to the next round.”

To watch Simon’s winning pitch, click here. 

Simon 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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Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Ashley Michel, Founder and Owner of 4 Generations Creations, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Winner and the recipient of the Grand Prize of $25,000. 

Hosted by Sunshine Tenasco, the creator of Pow Wow Pitch, the showdown featured entrepreneurs from nations across Turtle Island like the Mi’kmaq, Secwempc, Algonquin, Cree, Inuvialuit, Métis and Diné. 

Following a qualifying Semi-Final Round, the top 30 Indigenous entrepreneurs, from more than 2,000 applications from across Turtle Island, went head-to-head pitching their businesses to an esteemed panel of Judges who scored and selected the winners.

The 2023 Judges included the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Winner Harlan Kingfisher, Founder and CEO of Smudge the Blades; the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Winner Erica Daniels, Founder and CEO of Kejic Productions; Tamer Gabbour, Senior Account Manager at RBC; Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Lead at Shopify; and Christy Buchanan, Director of Account Management at Mastercard.

MEET THE WINNERS

The First Place Prize of $25,000 presented by RBC went to Ashley Michel, Founder & Owner of 4 Generations Creations, from Secwempc Nation in British Columbia. Ashley’s business, 4 Generations Creations, is a marketplace based in Kamloops, British Columbia for authentic Indigenous fabrics, materials, art and aims to create designs that educate others about Indigenous issues & resiliency. Watch Ashley’s pitch. 

“I chose to pitch again this year because I want a better future for my daughter and the generations to come,” said the 2023 First-Place Winner, Ashley Michel. “No obstacle is too big to overcome if you believe in yourself. I want the youth to see all of us succeed and realize that they could do that one day too.”

Ashley plans to use the $25,000 to purchase her own direct to garner machine to bring her production in-house and in turn, open opportunities to hire a team from her community.

“I am honoured to have been selected as the Pow Wow Pitch First Place Winner – this is absolutely life changing!” said Ashley. “I am excited to see the impact my business will have on our community to creating jobs for youth and providing authentic and accessible apparel for everyone. I want to thank everyone who has taken time to listen to my story and follow my journey so far. I also want to thank my mentors, community, & fellow artists/entrepreneurs for their mutual ongoing support. I also want to thank Pow Wow Pitch for providing this amazing opportunity for all of us!”

The Second Place Prize of $10,000 presented by Mastercard went to Alana Cook, Co-founder and MMA Coach of Walking Like Warriors from the Métis Nation of Alberta. Walking Like Warriors is a self-defence course based in St. Catharines, Ontario that teaches women and youth how to stay safe and boost confidence through inclusive, and culturally safe workshops. Alana’s motivation to help others embody the passion of a true warrior is nourishing the next generation of empowered youth. Watch Alana’s pitch.

“Winning second place in Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible gift,” said the 2023 Second-Place Winner, Alana Cook. “I hope to inspire other Métis women and girls to dream big, fight hard, and believe in themselves.”

The Third Place Prize of $5,000 presented by Shopify went to Jodie Moonie, the Founder and Owner of Muusa, from Timiskaming First Nation. Muusa is an Indigenous- and women-owned scrub apparel brand based in Notre Dame Du Nord, Quebec that combines the beauty of traditional design with the functionality of healthcare wear. Watch Jodie’s pitch.

“Winning Third Place has allowed me to gain so much confidence in myself as an entrepreneur,” said the 2023 Third-Place Winner, Jodie Moonie. “Public speaking has never been one of my strengths. I pushed through my fear when I pitched to the judges and I’m so happy that I did. We are capable of far more than we think and can do anything we put our minds to!”

ALUMNI PRIZE RECIPIENTS

In addition to announcing the top three winners, five Finalists were also awarded Alumni Prizes of $5,000, prize funds provided  by Alumni who have benefited from the program and matched with the support of Mastercard. The Alumni Prize was presented by Pow Wow Pitch Alumni; Harlan Kingfisher, Bernice Clarke, Matthew Nadee, Amy Jackson and Sean Rayland-Boubar.

Ten-year old Simon Monteith, also known as Simon the Scientist, is Opaskwayak Cree and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Simon creates educational Youtube videos teaching kids about the different landscapes of STEM combined with cultural significance. “I am super excited to win this prize! It feels awesome to be recognized knowing that people like to watch my videos and support Simon the Scientist,” said Simon. “I have met so many great Indigenous role models.” Watch Simon’s pitch.

Shay Dekock-Kruger the Founder and CEO of HOLO EYES, is from the Penticton Indian Band in British Columbia. HOLO EYES is an eye makeup and stickers brand that specializes in elevating eye looks at festivals and powwows. “My business has been a super fun way for me to express my creativity while also creating fun experiences for others,” said Shay. “I think my biggest lesson that I’ve learned since being an entrepreneur is to not overthink things, keep pushing forward and you will eventually find success.” Watch Shay’s pitch.

Desiree Streit, the Founder of Friday.Night.Beading.Club, is Cree, Ojibwey, and Métis and lives in Gatineau, Quebec. Desiree is the inventor of her brand’s original ‘BOO-zhee Boards’, an innovative storage accessory and system for beading that allows its users to take beading everywhere, with ease. “Winning this prize means everything to me,” shares Desiree. “It’s hard to explain where I was even a year ago to where I am now, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I cannot thank Pow Wow Pitch and my mentors enough!” Watch Desiree’s Pitch.

Tanis Simpson, Founder and CEO of Qiviut Inc, is Inuvialuit and lives in Nisku, Alberta. Qiviut Inc. manufactures qiviut yarns and knit wear from the traditional knowledge of qiviut fibre harvesting and muskox hunting. “It means so much to receive this recognition–not only for myself, but on behalf of my whole team, because this wouldn’t have been possible without them,” said Tanis. “We have all worked so hard, and we’ve faced no shortage of challenges, but winning the Alumni Prize tells us that we’re on the right path and that we should keep it up!” Watch Tanis’s pitch.

Jordan Smith, Founder and CEO of Renterii, is from the Red River Métis Nation and lives in Toronto, Ontario. Renterii is a rental share app that allows its users to rent everyday items with convenience. “It makes me beyond proud to have won the Alumni Prize!” said Jordan. “The Pow Wow Pitch community has been one of the first to believe in me as an entrepreneur, and I can’t wait to join the other Alumni in continuing to inspire folks to build the next million-dollar Indigenous idea.” Watch Jordan’s pitch.

“This year, Pow Wow Pitch grew its impact on the powwow trail by reaching more communities and  Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Every step taken by our semi-finalists, finalists, and winners shines with determination. The future is bright for Indigenous entrepreneurs and the Indigenous economy! Congratulations to Ashley, Alana, Jodie, Simon, Shay, Desiree, Jordan, and Tanis! You all embody the spirit and promise of Indigenous entrepreneurship. I look forward to following your journeys ahead, well done!”

“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 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 Ashley, Alana, and Jodie on winning the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch.”

To watch the Grand Finale, click here.

To book an interview with Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenaco, Ashley Michel, Alana Cook, Jodie Moonie, Simon Monteith, Shay Dekock- Kruger, Desiree Streit, Jordan Smith, or Tanis Simpson, please contact hello@powwowpitch.org.

About Pow Wow Pitch 
Pow Wow Pitch is an entrepreneurship program for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, which provides a safe, supportive, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. Community leadership through volunteerism is promoted with respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/.

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On September 8, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced two winners of the Health & Wellness Semi-Final:

• Health & Wellness Movement Winner: Alana Cook, the Métis, Founder of Walking Like Warriors from Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
• Health & Wellness Services Winner: Dr. Sadie LaRonde, the Temagami First Nation Founder of The Butterfly Effect Chiropractic & Healing from Ottawa, Ontario.

Each winner has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their businesses.

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.

Tonight, Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where the twelve Health & Wellness Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win. 

Judges included Renee Racine, Head of Digital Design, Journeys and Design Operations at RBC; Kristina Vilf, Senior Managing Consultant at Mastercard; Anthony Wigham, Entrepreneur & Business Owner of Nuez Acres; and Althea Wishloff, Partner at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. 

Health & Wellness – Movement Semi-Final Spotlight

“Growth starts outside the comfort zone, and I knew it was time to turn Walking Like Warriors from a passion project into a full-fledged business, ” said the 2023 Health and Wellness – Movement Semi-Final Winner Alana Cook, Founder of Walking Like Warriors. “I applied for Pow Wow Pitch to gain business experience, increase media exposure, and meet amazing fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island. I have really been loving the mentorship, the constant challenges, and the incredible opportunities to level up. Bring on the finals!”

Walking Like Warriors is a self-defence training course coached by professional MMA fighter and founder, Alana Cook. Walking Like Warriors teaches women and youth how to stay safe and boost confidence though inclusive, and culturally safe workshops. Alana’s motivation to help others embody the passion of a true warrior is nourishing the next generation of empowered youth.

Alana has dreams to grow Walking Like Warriors by growing a team of coaches and facilitators. She shared in her pitch, “I would use the prize money to grow my team, develop a web series, create a website, and engage with remote communities.” 

Vincent Starr, Founder of VStarr Boxing was also honoured as the Runner Up of the Health & Wellness Movement Semi-Final. 

Health & Wellness – Services Semi-Final Spotlight

“Pow Wow Pitch is an amazing experience to gain clarity of my vision and inspire me to take the big leaps I know I want to do,” said the Winner of the Health & Wellness – Services Semi-Final Dr. Sadie Laronde, Founder of The Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect is a subscription-based healing practice that allows users to get in touch with the power of the nervous system to heal traumas. Founded and lead by Dr. Sadie Laronde, a professional chiropractor, The Butterfly Effect is an initiative to bring awareness to body-led practices to healing trauma.

In her pitch, Dr. Sadie shared that her main goal to take The Butterfly Effect to the next level is to amplify her message to reach more communities and give Indigenous peoples the tools to tend to their traumas. “My mission is to heal Indigenous trauma across Turtle Island,” shared Dr. Sadie Laronde.

Michael Wesley, RD., Founder of Indigenous Health and Nutrition Consulting, was also honoured as the Runner Up of the Health & Wellness Services Category

“Congratulations to Alana and Dr. Sadie on winning the Health & Wellness Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “The future is brighter with leaders like you taking initiative to break cycles and heal Indigenous communities through movement and wellbeing. Congratulations also to all of the Health & Wellness Semi-Finalists who are putting in the work to make positive impacts on your community, keep up the great work!”

“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 Rachael Hunt on advancing to the next round.”

Alana and Dr. Sadie 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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When Alana Cook, a Métis living in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, taught a self-defence workshop to a group of young Indigenous girls in 2017, she ignited a journey that culminated in the establishment of Walking Like Warriors. What began as a spark evolved into a mission to bridge the gap in the self-defence industry.

“Walking Like Warriors is an inclusive, empowering, and culturally safe self-defence workshop specifically intended for youth, women, and 2Spirit people from Indigenous communities,” Cook explains. The initiative’s broad spectrum of training ranges from martial arts demonstrations to practical self-defence tools, catering to people of all ages and abilities.

At the heart of Alana’s efforts is an intimate connection with her community and a desire to reciprocate the support she’s received. “Being a part of an Indigenous community is an incredible gift,” she muses, emphasizing the importance of being “respectful, reciprocal, and part of something bigger than yourself.” Through her workshops, Cook wishes to inspire the next generation to “uphold our beautiful, strong, resilient Indigenous communities.”

The alarming statistics surrounding violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada serve as a persistent reminder of the urgency of Cook’s mission. “Indigenous women and girls are three times more likely to experience violence, and six times more likely to be murdered,” she notes. The challenge of limited resources sometimes weighs on her, but she remains resolute, believing that “small actions still create large ripples.”

Alana’s ambition for Walking Like Warriors to outgrow its status as a ‘passion project’ led her to the Pow Wow Pitch. The competition offered her not just business experience but also invaluable mentorship. Her mentors, Jayden Halls and Selina, Pirmohamed from RBC were crucial in honing her narrative and infusing her pitch with authenticity. “They guided me every step of the way, and were incredibly supportive of my story,” she gratefully remarks.

Central to Alana’s teaching approach is the integration of traditional practices. “An individual’s health and wellness must maintain the balance between the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual realms,” she says, drawing parallels between the philosophies of Indigenous communities and martial artists.

Beyond the workshops, Alana’s aspirations extend into her personal journey as a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. “I want to be the first Métis woman to fight for a major worldwide organization,” she declares. For Alana, each fight symbolizes a battle not just for herself but for every woman in her community.

Cook’s parting wisdom for budding entrepreneurs resonates with the fierce spirit she embodies: “A closed mouth don’t get fed. You have to speak up for yourself, and never be afraid to advocate for what you need!” It’s a testament to her resilience, urging others to recognize their inner strength. “However strong you think you are, you are stronger.”

Alana Cook’s journey with Walking Like Warriors showcases a powerful fusion of community, purpose, and resilience. As she continues to empower Indigenous communities, her story serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

Register to watch Alana pitch at the Health and Wellness Semi-Final Online Watch Party on September 8, 2023, at 6 PM ET and vote for Walking Like Warriors to win the 2023 People’s Choice Prize (#115) before September 17, 2023.

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