As part of Aritzia’s commitment to participating in acts of reconciliation, both within its organization and with Indigenous communities across Canada, the Everyday Luxury retailer has partnered with Pow Wow Pitch for its fourth year to support Indigenous entrepreneurs for the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Competition.

Aritzia’s impact extends beyond funding, recognizing and fostering the immense talent of Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs. By investing in their diverse ventures, Pow Wow Pitch and Aritzia advance reconciliation through creative, cultural, and economic empowerment, enriching communities and the broader economy.

On September 17th, Pow Wow Pitch completed their announcement of all eighteen Finalists that will be advancing to the 2025 Grand Finale. Among these exceptional individuals, thirteen women and two-spirit Finalists were recognized and awarded with an Aritzia Grant, providing vital support for their deeply rooted, culturally grounded, and diverse initiatives across multiple industries.

Meet the 2025 Aritzia Grant Recipients:

Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy, is an Indigenous woman from Sagkeeng First Nation and operates her not-for-profit organization in Vancouver, British Columbia. IndigE-girl Comedy is an organization dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, queer, and non-binary voices in the stand-up comedy industry. Watch Debbie’s pitch.

Christen Meeko Falcon, Co-Founder of Backpacker’s Ferry, is an Indigenous woman from the Blackfeet Nation, near Montana, USA where she owns and operates her Indigenous tourism company alongside her partner. Backpacker’s Ferry is a tourism and transportation company on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation that connects travelers to the culture, history, and landscapes of the Blackfeet people. Watch Christen’s pitch.

Ariana Fotinakis and Vanessa Lesperance, Co-Founders of Decolonize and Rize, are Indigenous women from Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Manitoba Métis Federation who operate their organization from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Decolonize and Rize, a heartfelt organization dedicated to guiding mid- to large-sized organizations on a journey toward holistic reconciliation, decolonial transformation, and employee well-being. Watch Ariana’s pitch.

Wendy Landry, Owner of Bebia Cho Foods Co., is an Indigenous woman from Deh Gáh Got’îê Dene First Nation who operates her business in Kelowna, British Columbia. Bebia Cho Foods, is a snack company bringing delicious and nutritious fruit snacks from the Okanagan to families in Northern and isolated Indigenous communities. Read about Wendy’s win.

Sunday Queskekapow and Victoria Perrie, Co-Founders of Kíwétinohk Consulting, are a two-spirit and Indigenous woman entrepreneur from Norway House Cree Nation and the Manitoba Métis Federation who operate their organization from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Kíwétinohk Consulting is a consulting firm serving northern Manitoba and the Nunavut Arctic, advancing justice, equity, and healing through culturally grounded consulting, programming, and restorative justice initiatives. Watch Sunday’s pitch.

Annie Pillaktuaq, Founder of Art Den by Annie, is an Indigenous woman from Iqaluit, Nunavut and is a talented artist based in Ottawa, Ontario. Art Den by Annie is an art and design studio by Annie Pillaktuaq that blends traditional knowledge with contemporary expression through visual art, sealskin accessories, and a vision to create a collaborative hub for Indigenous and Inuit artists in Ottawa. Watch Annie’s pitch.

Jackie DeCouteau-Gill, Founder of Kokums Helper Society, is an Indigenous woman from Liidlii Kue First Nation and is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Jackie is a passionate advocate for culturally grounded end-of-life care within Indigenous communities. Kokums Helper Society is an Indigenous-led organization providing trauma-informed, culturally grounded end-of-life care that honours ceremony, community, and connection. Watch Jackie’s pitch.

Shauna White Bear, Founder of White Bear Moccasins LLC, is an Indigenous woman from the MHA Nation, near Bozeman, MT, and a self-taught moccasin maker and leatherworker. White Bear Moccasins is an Indigenous-owned business specializing in handcrafted moccasins and offering unique moccasin repair services at powwows, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Watch Shauna’s pitch. 

Shyanne Yellowbird, Founder of mîmîNîsak, is an Indigenous woman from the Samson Cree Nation whose Seattle-based business brings Indigenous storytelling to life through art and design. mîmîNîsak is a new brand that features a unique line of dolls inspired by the Cree Little People, spiritual beings that embody guidance, protection, and cultural memory. Watch Shyanne’s Pitch.

Tessa Belanger, Founder of Pass the Sage, is an Indigenous woman from Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg who is writing her Indigenous perspective book from Ottawa, Ontario. Pass the Sage is an initiative that creates safe spaces for Indigenous storytelling, reflection, and healing, blending traditional knowledge with creative expression to support community wellness. Watch Tessa’s pitch. 

Destiny Moser, Founder of FoodZen, is an Indigenous woman and chef from Rainy River First Nation and operates her food-based business in Cambridge, Ontario. FoodZen revitalizes Indigenous food systems through a modern culinary lens, emphasizing hyper-local, seasonal ingredients and sustainable partnerships with local farmers. Through personal chef services, meal deliveries, and educational workshops, Destiny promotes food sovereignty and celebrates Indigenous culinary traditions. Watch Destiny’s pitch. 

Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder of SproutSync Ltd., is an Indigenous Mohawk woman from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario where she and her partner operate their agri-tech company. SproutSync is a new greenhouse automation company with a vision to empower Indigenous growers through culturally aligned automation tools and solutions. Watch Kendal’s pitch.

Tannis and Rayel Smoke, Co-Founders of Niña Waṡte Events, are Indigenous women from the Dakota Plains Wahpeton Oyate and who operate their company from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Niña Waṡte Events, a vibrant Indigenous-owned game rental company reimagining the world of board games through an Indigenous lens by redesigning popular games to center Indigenous people, culture, and language. Read about Tannis and Rayel’s win.

“I feel blessed and honoured to be selected for this grant. Any funding we receive goes back into feeding our community through mentorship, fair and equitable pay, and visibility for women, gender-diverse and queer creatives who are making moves,” shared Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy. “Your support helps us clear the path for others, removing barriers, and raising up the voices of women and two-spirit creatives. This funding allows us to continue creating spaces that uplift underrepresented voices, amplify joy and resilience in our communities, and support Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and queer creators in sharing their stories.”

“Thank you to Aritzia for your continued support and for amplifying the voices of Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs through Pow Wow Pitch. Your partnership reflects a meaningful commitment to reconciliation and the growth of Indigenous-led businesses,”  said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “This year’s Aritzia Grant recipients shine with talent, creativity, and unwavering commitment to their communities. We’re inspired by all that you do and can’t wait to see your businesses thrive. Congratulations to each of you, and we are so excited to cheer you on in the Grand Finale.”

“Our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch continues to inspire and grow in meaningful ways,” said Corinne Kepper, Vice President of Corporate Giving at Aritzia. “We congratulate this year’s Aritzia Grant recipients who are all exceptional Indigenous women and two-spirit entrepreneurs, who bring creativity, vision, and dedication to their business ventures. Through this grant, we are proud to provide funding to help them scale their businesses and make a lasting impact in their communities. We’re cheering them on in the Grand Finale and can’t wait to see all they will achieve.”

All of the Aritzia Grant Recipients will be pitching in the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale on October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET for their chance to win this year’s Grand Prize of $25,000. Register to watch the Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

The post Aritzia and Pow Wow Pitch award thirteen Grants to Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit Entrepreneurs appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On September 11th, 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 Shauna White Bear, MHA First Nation Founder of White Bear Moccasins LLC, a business based in Bozeman, MT, USA, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Fashion Semi-Final Winner. Shauna 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 Fashion 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 Trisha Hayter, Director of Portfolio Management & Data, RBC Origins, at RBC; Duong Vu, Senior Data Scientist at Mastercard; Corinne Kepper, Vice President of Corporate Giving at Aritzia; and Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder & Co-Owner, at MINI TIPI.

“I’d like to thank my family, my friends, and most importantly the White Bear Moccasins Pack — Mae, Summer, Valor, and Angelina. We did it. We won!” said Shauna White Bear, founder of White Bear Moccasins LLC.

Shauna White Bear, founder of White Bear Moccasins LLC, is a self-taught moccasin maker, leatherworker, and creative force with a passion for craftsmanship, culture, and healing. Based on years of hands-on learning in a traditional cobbler shop, Shauna’s journey began from a place of heartbreak and transformation, leading her to embrace moccasin making as both an art form and a path to personal growth. Her work blends traditional techniques with unique and modern design elements, incorporating materials like wool, brass, and copper to create one-of-a-kind, durable moccasins that reflect her story and her customers’ individuality. Through her brand, Shauna shares her love for leatherwork and storytelling, hoping to inspire younger generations to take pride in their roots and use their creativity to build a life of authenticity and purpose.

In her pitch, Shauna shared plans to use the funding to expand the production and reach of White Bear Moccasins without compromising the handcrafted quality that defines her brand. A portion of the funds will go toward investing in a leather clicker press and custom moccasin pattern dyes to increase efficiency and consistency. She also plans to purchase a portable hand crank sewing machine and a small travel trailer to launch a mobile repair shop, bringing her services directly into Indigenous communities.

To support other makers, Shauna intends to buy bulk tray cloth wool to expand her retail offerings and source materials from fellow Indigenous artisans whenever possible. Her broader mission is to motivate youth to engage their hands and minds, stay rooted in authenticity, and take pride in their culture and creativity. Through White Bear Moccasins, Shauna is not only building a business, she is cultivating a movement of healing, empowerment, and Indigenous excellence.

“The lessons I’ve learned are to never second-guess yourself, to trust your intuition, and to always take a chance on every opportunity that comes your way,” shared Shauna. “If something feels outside of your comfort zone and makes you nervous, that is usually a sign it is worth doing.”

The judges appreciated her clear and compelling presentation and were impressed by the beautiful handmade quality of her work, which resonates deeply with her growing client base. They also commended her remarkable progress and leadership as she continues to expand her business and team.

“Congratulations to Shauna on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Her journey and work with White Bear Moccasins embody the spirit of creativity and cultural pride. Shauna’s craftsmanship and vision not only uplift her community, but also inspire the next generation of Indigenous peoples to stay rooted in their culture and authenticity as they follow their own paths.”

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Fashion industry category. Shayna Boudreau, Founder of Amakehs Designs, was praised by the judges for her passion, energy, and ambition to grow a business that uplifts her community while showcasing her unique products. They were impressed by her strong start and creative offerings and encouraged her to continue highlighting what makes her brand special as she scales.

“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 Shauna White Bear for advancing to the next round.”

To watch Shauna’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Fashion Semi-Final episode, click here.

Shauna 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 Shauna White Bear, White Bear Moccasins LLC, wins Fashion Semi-Final appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.