On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, training and support, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Chandra LeBlanc, Founder of Forage & Feast, from Natoaganeg First Nation as the first-ever NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch Winner, in collaboration with Joint Economic Development Initiative  (JEDI) and Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick (ITANB). The First Nation-owned business has won $1,000 for their business and will advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals.

On Thursday, 21 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for their chance to win cash prizes to advance their businesses. 

The NB Indigenous Tourism Summit is a two-day conference co-hosted by JEDI and ITANB, with headline speakers, including a keynote from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada CEO, Keith Henry, presentations from New Brunswick tourism leaders, and informative workshops and tourism experiences.   

Pow Wow Pitch welcomed judges Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI, Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI, and Karen Narvey, CEO of ITANB, to adjudicate and listen to the pitches of vendors and attendees.

Chandra LeBlanc is the Founder of Forest & Forage, an Indigenous tourism startup offering guided walking tours and culinary experiences centered around mushroom foraging and land knowledge. Chandra is a self-taught mushroom enthusiast and shared in her pitch that she plans to launch a diverse mushroom product line and secure partnerships to establish her tours.

“I think this is going to open a lot of doors for me,” shared Chandra. “I am very grateful for Pow Wow Pitch and the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit, it has taught me a lot and I’m very excited to see what the future brings!”

The Second-Place $800 Prize Winner was Stone Bear, Founder of Wolastoq Adventures, an illuminated kayaking experience offering new and innovative avenues to enjoy nature. Stone shared in his pitch that he wishes to expand Wolastoq Adventure’s marketing reach, purchase more kayaks, and acquire more staff members to their team. 

“It’s a privilege and an honour to place second with Pow Wow Pitch,” shared Stone. “We are really excited to help add to our business and grow our team. Thank you very much to Pow Wow Pitch, it was a lot of fun!” 

The Third-Place $600 winner was Ashley Sanipass, Founder of Mi’kmaq Art Experience, a hands-on art experience created to teach the traditional art styles and language of the Mi’kmaq people through workshops and art kits. Ashley pitched to win funds to develop her youth programming and to provide more materials and variety to her art kits.

“I am so excited to have won third place with Pow Wow Pitch,” shared Ashley. “It makes me feel really proud that people believe in me and my business.”

“Chandra, Stone, and Ashley, congratulations on your remarkable achievement as the winners of the first-ever NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Your dedication to creating authentic and enriching experiences within your communities is truly commendable. We look forward to continuing collaborating with our partners in New Brunswick to support Indigenous entrepreneurship and achieving even greater milestones together into the future.”

“Congratulations to Chandra, Stone, and Ashley, on winning the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch,” said Karen Narvey, Executive Director of Indigenous Tourism New Brunswick. “Your unwavering dedication and innovative spirit shine brightly. Pow Wow Pitch stands as an incredible platform to highlight and provide indispensable resources and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive in our dynamic tourism sector.”

“We are always so happy to collaborate with Pow Wow Pitch to create opportunities that support and highlight the immense talent we have here in New Brunswick,” said Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI. “Congratulations to the incredible winners of the NB Indigenous Tourism Summit Pow Wow Pitch, your initiative brightens our community and we are so excited to follow your journeys.”

All those who pitched are automatically entered into the Turtle Island (North American) Pow Wow Pitch competition and will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support. All pitchers have gained access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box and on Pow Wow Market for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous,’ and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA, and a 60-day free Shopify Trial.

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On November 9, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization supporting and celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced eight Award Winners from across Turtle Island at the 3rd Annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, co-presented by RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard in partnership with Export Development Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. 

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards recognize and celebrate excellence and outstanding impact in Indigenous entrepreneurship by recognizing eight entrepreneurial leaders for their perseverance, growth, impact and example.

Sunshine Tenasco, Co-Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, hosted the event, which featured a special hoop dance performance by Theland Kicknosway from Walpole Island Bkejwanong Territory, Ontario and eight Award presentations.

MEET THE 2023 INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEUR AWARD WINNERS 

Terry Brown, Founder & CEO Okimaw Community and HR Solutions (Winnipeg, MB)

RBC Rising Star Award Winner, presented by Carrie Batt, Vice President of Business Markets at RBC. Watch here.

“I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Pow Wow Pitch organizers, sponsors, and my family for believing in me,” said Co-Founder and CEO, Terry Brown. “Eight years ago I embraced entrepreneurship, seeking autonomy and ownership after a decade of building entities for others. The arrival of my daughter became my greatest inspiration to create a greater future for her and other generations to come. None of this would be possible without my incredible team at Okimaw Community and HR Solutions, their dedication and hard work have been the driving force behind our success.”

Terry Brown, the Founder of Okimaw Community and HR Solutions from Peguis First Nation, has emerged as a transformative force to the standard of Human Resource practices. By combining deep-rooted Indigenous tradition with a drive to grow, Okimaw champions growth and unity. Serving more than 60 Indigenous communities across Canada, Okimaw Community and HR Solutions is investing in giving back in education and employment avenues, attesting to its commitment to community and economic prosperity.

Michelle Bernier, Founder and CEO of Northern Nursing Solutions (Calgary, AB)

RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award Winner, presented by Carrie Batt, Vice President of Business Markets at RBC. Watch here.

“I stand before you today deeply humbled and grateful to receive this award,” said Founder and CEO, Michelle Bernier. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at Northern Nursing Solutions, their dedication is the driving force behind our mission success. I am also indebted to my family and community, whose unwavering support and encouragement have been my pillars of strength throughout this journey.”

As a Penticton-based Northern Tutchone woman from Selkirk First Nation who is committed to providing culturally safe and aware services to the healthcare industry, Michelle Bernier is bridging gaps as the Founder and CEO of Northern Nursing Solutions. Northern Nursing Solutions is a woman-led and Indigenous-owned travel nursing agency that provides understaffing and relief solutions to healthcare facilities. Founded in 2017, and incorporated in 2021, Northern Nursing Solutions, supports clients to access more than 300 dedicated and qualified healthcare professionals and has grown to more than $2.4 million in annual revenue. Dedication to serving Indigenous communities and transforming the quality of healthcare, makes Michelle Bernier a most deserving recipient of the RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award.

Sarain Fox, Activist, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster (Barrie, ON)

Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner, presented by Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Manager at Shopify. Watch here.

“This means so much to me because it took me decades to be able to claim storytelling as a career path,” said Artist and Entrepreneur, Sarain Fox. “To me the art of storytelling and entrepreneurship started in the world of theater and seeing what could happen when you have the power to tell your own stories. Through my platform at Sarain Fox and my production studio, our goal is to create meaningful representation through all sectors. This award means so much because it not only recognizes recent work over the last few years, but decades worth of work that myself and so many Indigenous people have been doing to create space, meaningful dialogue, and to create activists.”

Sarain Fox, founder of Land Back Studios, is a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from Batchawana First Nation, she is a filmmaker, broadcaster, entrepreneur, storyteller and fierce activist. Her documentary “Inendi” speaks volumes to her storytelling talent and activist flame to ensure Indigenous voices are heard and protected. Sarain’s screen highlights include the award-winning series, RISE (Viceland), Cut-off (Viceland) and APTN’s Future History. Her ability to dive into challenging social and cultural topics has gained Sarain an audience that is as diverse as it is engaged. In every role, Sarain is a staunch advocate, pushing for Indigenous rights and representation.

James Jones, Activist, Dancer, Entrepreneur (Edmonton, AB)

Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner, presented by Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Manager at Shopify. Watch here.

“I would like to thank my family, sisters, and friends who have been my biggest supporters throughout this process,” said James. “As an Indigenous artist and entrepreneur, I have learned that we belong in these spaces, whether it’s on billboards or in the media, we 100% deserve to be here. Thank you to all of the organizers of this event for this award! My number one call to action to any looking to start their social media journey is to ‘Just giv’er!’”

James Jones, “Notorious Cree” from Tall Cree First Nation, Alberta, is a talented Nêhiyaw (Cree) hoop dancer and fierce activist. Garnering more than four million followers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, he’s been a force on global stages: the Winter Olympics, Coachella, and the Sydney Opera House. Among the Top 5 hoop dancers globally, he’s collaborated with luminaries like K-OS and Snoop Dogg, and shone on “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.” James is an emblem of Indigenous pride, fiercely challenging misconceptions while celebrating and elevating Indigenous heritage. 

Vanessa Gernier, Founder and CEO of Quilts for Survivors (Timmins, ON)

Mastercard Game Changer Award Winner, presented by Jennifer Sloan, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard. Watch here.

“I am honoured to accept this award in recognition for the work being done for Indigenous survivors by survivors,” said Founder and CEO, Vanessa Genier. “I am here today because of my great grandparents and survivors, Emily and David. What started out as a grassroots project quickly became an international way to bring honour, respect, and love to survivors. Thank you to Pow Wow Pitch and Mastercard for honouring Indigenous entrepreneurs. I would also like to thank our many volunteers, our supporters, my first nation, our board, friends, and family.”

Vanessa Genier, Founder of Quilts for Survivors, represents the essence of Missanabie Cree First Nation’s strength and tenacity. Through Vanessa’s visionary leadership, the non-profit has compassionately draped over 3,000 survivors of Residential School and 60’s Scoop Survivors in the warmth of meticulously crafted quilts, symbolizing both solace and recognition. Each quilt, thoughtfully woven with indigenous values, becomes a resilient testament to past adversities and a beacon for collective healing. Vanessa’s initiative is creating a platform for Indigenous cultural education and a call to Truth and Reconciliation. 

Lori Anne Stanger, Co-founder and CEO of FIRE 1 (North Bay, ON)

Mastercard Game Changer Award Winner, presented by Jennifer Sloan, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard. Watch here.

“I am really grateful to be here and I would like to thank all the sponsors and the hardworking team of the Pow Wow Pitch organizers for sharing the message across Turtle Island that entrepreneurship is a possibility for Indigenous peoples,” said Lori. ”It has been a historic fire season and I would like to honour and thank the brave people that are out on the fireline keeping communities safe. I would also like to thank my incredible team at FIRE 1 for their support. Thank you to everyone, migwetch.”

Lori Anne Stanger, from Timiskaming First Nation, has expertly positioned her enterprise in response to the escalating challenges of global wildfires through her organization, FIRE 1. To tackle the devastation caused by rising climates and wildfires, Lori created FIRE 1 to educate and train skilled teams to bring aid to communities. Established in 2013, FIRE 1 boasts a prestigious accreditation from Ontario’s Ministry of NDMNRF, reflecting its commitment to top-tier training in wildfire suppression, mitigation, and prevention. Leading a team of eight specialists, Lori uniquely stands as an Indigenous woman directing essential wildfire training. 

Vanessa Marshall, Founder and CEO of Jack59 Inc. (Edmonton, AB)

EDC Export Award Winner, presented by Todd Evans, National Lead for Indigenous Exporters at Export Development Canada. Watch here.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to accept the EDC export award for domestic success and global potential,” said Founder and CEO, Vanessa Marshall. “This award holds profound significance for not just myself, but for the broader Indigenous communities and our collective journey towards redefining entrepreneurship and paving the way for future generations.”

Vanessa Marshall, a visionary Métis entrepreneur, brought to life Jack59 Inc. from the heart of Edmonton, Alberta. Inspired by her Indigenous roots and a commitment to sustainable change, Jack59 stands as a testament to Vanessa’s dedication to championing both environmental responsibility and diversity, especially within the LGBTQ2S+ community. Today, with 16 dedicated employees and boasting an annual revenue of over $1.4 million, Jack59 has achieved a BCorp certification and continues to pave a path towards sustainability and recognition for Indigenous brands across Canada. Vanessa’s leadership not only ensures a nurturing environment where women can thrive, but she also passionately bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, proving that businesses can indeed be both impactful and ethical.

Trina Mather-Simard, Founder of Indigenous Experiences & Mādahòkì Farms (Stitsville, ON)

ITAC Tourism Award Winner, presented by Keith Henry, CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. Watch here.

“I have lived and operated our organization, Indigenous Experiences, on the traditional unceded algonquin territory for over 25 years,” said Trina. “I am grateful to the organizers of pow wow pitch for this recognition and to all of their sponsors for making it possible. I am incredibly grateful for the strong team and community I have behind me at Indigenous Experiences and Mādahòkì Farm who share this honour, chi miigwetch.”

For over two decades, Trina Mather-Simard has been a formidable force in the Indigenous tourism sector, reshaping Ottawa’s urban landscape with enriched Indigenous culture. Founder of Indigenous Experiences, she innovatively transitioned the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival to a virtual platform during the pandemic, engaging over half a million participants. Her venture, Mādahòkì Farm, is an agritourism hot spot and economic powerhouse on the traditional unceded Algonquin Nation territory that houses multiple forms of traditional programming and protection of endangered Ojibwe spirit horses. Through initiatives like the farm’s Indigenous marketplace, she bolsters local economies, and provides significant employment opportunities. Trina is a cultural ambassador, ensuring authentic Indigenous stories and traditions thrive.

“It is an honour to be celebrating the paths and triumphs of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Congratulations to this year’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Recipients. Your entrepreneurial spirit is a testament to resilience and strength to reach new heights. You are lighting the path for future generations to tread with confidence and purpose.”

“The Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous trailblazers who are playing a critical role in driving economic growth and social impact with their innovative solutions, resilience and unwavering commitment to success,” said Michael Ferencich, Senior Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We are proud to put a spotlight on this year’s winners and celebrate their outstanding contributions to Canada’s business and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our collaboration with the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, we will continue to uncover more of these inspiring stories and support the growth and success of Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

“A resounding applause for the exceptional and motivating recipients, visionary leaders, and their outstanding teams! Indigenous entrepreneurship is a dynamic force, and these remarkable award winners are trailblazers in the ever-evolving age of Indigenous excellence in commerce,” celebrated Kyle St-Amour-Brennan, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “We are honored and grateful to contribute to and witness this transformative wave that rightfully acknowledges Indigenous entrepreneurs and their communities nationwide, fostering collective empowerment that centers social, environmental, and cultural well-being at its core.”

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! All of this year’s competitors demonstrated what it means to lead with creativity, resiliency and innovation,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard in Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re proud to support opportunities for economic growth, contribute to community building and engage in collaborative partnerships. We know the future is brighter when Indigenous entrepreneurship is recognized, supported and celebrated.”

“Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees of the 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards,” said Todd Evans, National Lead for Indigenous Exporters at Export Development Canada. “Indigenous entrepreneurs serve as inspirations and role models in their communities, showcasing the potential for prosperity and paving the way for aspiring entrepreneurs. We take immense pride in standing alongside these trailblazers, recognizing their invaluable contributions and ensuring their visions come to fruition.”

“Congratulations to all of the recipients of the 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards and businesses being recognized tonight,” said Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC). “ITAC believes strongly in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and tourism businesses, and we are proud to recognize their outstanding work in taking strides in the tourism industry.”

Each of tonight’s winners receives an Official Pin for Award recipients designed and hand created by Niiostoseraah Thompson, Founder and CEO of Small Feather Empire; and a signed limited edition print of the artwork ‘Ring’ by Chippewa and Potawatomi Artist, Chief Lady Bird from Rama First Nation, which features a plaque with their name and recognition.

To watch the 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, click here.

For interviews with the winners or founder of Pow Wow Pitch, please email hello@powwowpitch.org.

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On Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Puna Tripp, the Kanaka Maoli Founder of Hā Tonics, from Hilo on Hawai’i Island, as the first-ever 2023 Mana Up Pow Wow Pitch Winner. The Native Hawaiian-owned business has won 5,000 USD and is advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Finals for a chance to win $25,000.

On Wednesday, 35 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Mana Up Showcase in Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program alongside Mana Up co-founder, Meli James, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

Following a first-round open pitch, judges Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify; Bernice Parsons, Co-Founder of Vertaccount; Cole Slater, CEO of Maui Divers Jewelry; Kainoa Penaroza Co-Owner of Tag Aloha Co.; and Nohili Thompson, Strategy Consultant from Kamehameha Schools shortlisted the ‘Top 6’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The Top 6 entrepreneurs were paired with mentors from Maui Divers Jewelry, Tag Aloha Co, and Kamehameha Schools to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify; Bernice Parsons, Co-Founder of Vertaccount; Kimié Miner, President and CEO of Haku Collective; Jalene Kanani, Founder of NOHO Home; and Stacy Ferreira, CEO of OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs).

“I’m so honoured and grateful to have won the Mana Up Pow Wow Pitch, said First-place winner and Founder of Hā Tonics, Puna Tripp. “One thing that has been the foundation of starting our business is ‘those who know why will always rise above those who know how.’ Your purpose behind doing what you’re doing matters more than anything. As long as you have a strong ‘why’ you can keep going.”

Hā Tonics is a Hawaiian superfood brand that is providing the strength and vitality of Hawaiian foods in new ways through their superfood products. Hā Tonics currently has three locations on the Island of Hawai’i.

Puna also received the Fan Favourite 500 USD Prize and shared in her pitch that she is going to use her winnings to invest in the local crop farmers where Hā Tonics sources their product from and grow their production together. 

The Second-Place 2,500 USD and Youth Prize 500 Prize USD Winner was fifteen year-old Coen Cadinha, Founder of Keiki Rise. Keiki Rise is an entrepreneurship program created by and for Hawaiian youth. Coen is empowering Hawaiian youth and how they can scale up through mentorship with his program. “Pow Wow Pitch dedicated a whole prize for Youth entrepreneurs and that shows their dedication to Youth entrepreneurship. I am so honoured to be here today, it was such a fun experience.”

The Third-Place 1,000 USD Winner was Tristan Manuel, Co-Founder of Maoli Farms, a Native-urban farm located in Kailua, O’ahu specializing in plants and trees. Maoli Farms also provides backyard Native Growers a platform to reach a wider audience and promote sustainable agriculture. “This was an awesome experience, I was super nervous but being amongst my peers and knowing that we’re all here to support each other was inspiring. I would encourage anyone else to just do it and give it a try!”

“Congratulations to Puna on her Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are in awe of the immense talent of Hawai’i and are so honoured to spotlight their work at the Mana Up Showcase. Puna, your drive to support Hawaiian farmers and promote healing through food is admirable and we are so excited to have you join us in next year’s Grand Finale.

“Hosting the inaugural Mana Up x Pow Wow Pitch in Hawai‘i was inspiring because it brought together our local community with other indigenous communities from across the world. By being together, it illuminated a unique bond over how to blend business with honoring heritage, promoting shared values, and showing how indigenous rooted business methods can make an impact on capitalism as a whole,”  said Meli James, Co-founder of Mana Up. 

“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 honour, 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 Puna on advancing to the next round.”

All those who pitched at the Mana Up Pow Wow Pitch will receive a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support.

Puna will now advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

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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/.

The post Ashley Michel, 4 Generations Creations, Wins 2023 Pow Wow Pitch appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On September 7, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced three winners of the Consumer Semi-Final category:

• Consumer Bath, Body and Beauty Winner: Shay Dekock-Kruger, the Penticton Indian Band Founder of HOLO EYES from Penticton, British Columbia. 
• Consumer Retail Winner: Chelsee Pettit, the Aamjiwnaang Founder of aaniin retail inc. from Tkaronto, Ontario.
• Consumer Products Winner: Tanis Simpson, the Inuvialuit Founder of Qiviut Inc. from Nisku, Alberta.

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.

Last night, Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where the fifteen Consumer Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win. 

Judges included Eric Turner, Vice President, Business Markets, Greater Toronto Region at RBC; Sean Myomi Hougan, Head of Revenue & Operations at Aurora Heat; Amisha Parikh, VP Product Management and Loyalty at Mastercard; Pam Devonshire, Business Development Manager ecommerce and Parcels at Canada Post; and Meagan Francis, Senior Advisor of Working Capital Solutions at EDC.

Consumer Bath, Body and Beauty Semi-Final Spotlight

“I decided to pitch again this year because my business [HOLO EYES] is now in a better position to scale and launch into other global markets,” said the 2023 Consumer Bath, Body and Beauty Pow Wow Pitch Winner Shay Dekock-Kruger, Founder of HOLO EYES. “It’s proven to be a successful business model through organic sales on Amazon. My business has also been a super fun way for me to express my creativity while also creating fun experiences for others.”

HOLO EYES is an eye makeup and stickers brand that specializes in boosting eye looks at festivals and powwows. HOLO EYES is making waves on social media through their popularity with festival goers.“I hope that my business can be an example to other Indigenous people to show that you can turn a creative idea into a business,” said Shay.

Click here to watch Shay Dekock-Kruger’s winning pitch.

The tied Runners Up for the Consumer Bath, Body and Beauty Semi-Final were Marissa Dube, Founder of Eiralize Lashes and Tanya Gluvakov, Founder of Roots + Raven. 

Consumer Retail Semi-Final Spotlight

“I was inspired [to apply for Pow Wow Pitch] having seen the number of businesses that have been elevated by the program firsthand,” said the 2023 Consumer Retail Winner Chelsee Pettit, Founder of aaniin retail inc. “Now that aaniin has made so many strides over the past year, I couldn’t wait to share them with the Pow Wow Pitch audience and community!”

aaniin retail inc is a street wear brand and main-street retail space with a vision and concept to become a high-street retail chain in major shopping centres across Canada. aaniin retail inc has a vision to create more opportunities for Indigenous business and youth to grow and scale impact together. Chelsee projects her values into her company with her values of community, collaboration, and connection. “Our mission is to reclaim the Indigenous economy through fashion and commerce,” said Chelsee.

“This year, our biggest focus is on growing our e-commerce platform and building capacity as we ready for a very busy Black Friday and holiday season,” said the 2023 Consumer Retail Winner Chelsee Pettit, Founder of aaniin retail inc. “We have big things planned for our customers and these stages are crucial for our planned national retail growth.”

Click here to watch Chelsee Pettit’s winning pitch.

The tied Runners Up for the Consumer Retail Semi-Finals were Jenna Valiquette, Founder of Eagle Woman Prints and Frances Edwards, Founder of La Petite Serre. 

Consumer Products Semi-Final Spotlight

“I decided to pitch again because I had an amazing experience last year and the Pow Wow Pitch team is so great to work with,” said the 2023 Consumer Products Winner Tanis Simpson, Founder of Qiviut Inc. “They are empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams and are providing valuable information and mentorship to help us grow not only our business but ourselves. Also I couldn’t pass up the chance of possibly winning $25,000 for the Qiviut Inc team!” 

Qiviut Inc. is an Inuvialuit-owned business based in Nisku, Alberta, rooted in the traditional knowledge of qiviut fibre harvesting and muskox hunting that is now manufacturing high-quality qiviut yarns and knitwear. Founder, Tanis Simpson, is proud to carry on the traditions that have kept her family warm for future generations. Tanis prides her company on being Inuit-owned and gives back by creating opportunities for muskox hunters that provide for their families. “With support from Pow Wow Pitch, we can create more jobs for our communities and purchase more equipment to fulfill our orders,” Tanis shared in her pitch.

Click here to watch Tanis Simpson’s winning pitch.

The Runner Up for the Consumer Products Semi-Final was Lawrence Crowfoot, Founder of Crowfoot Collective.

“Congratulations to Shay, Chelsea, and Tanis on Winning the 2023 Consumer Semi-Finals and for advancing to the  Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We love seeing Indigenous brands and products on store shelves and taking up retail space across Turtle Island– it is ‘Land Back’ through entrepreneurship and you are leading the growth of the Indigenous economy! We are so proud of you. Congratulations also to all of the Consumer Semi-Finalists, you were all so great – keep going! The world needs your businesses to keep thriving!”

“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.”

To watch the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Consumer Brand and Retail Semi-Final, click here. 

Shay, Chelsee, and Tanis will now all 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.

The post Shay Dekock Kruger, Chelsee Pettit, and Tanis Simpson win Consumer Semi-Finals appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On Saturday, August 26th, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify,and Mastercard in collaboration with Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and The Ginger Agency, announced Lisa Perley Dutcher, Founder of Kehkimin Wolastoqey language immersion school, from the Wolastoqey Nation as the first-ever A Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch Winner. The Indigenous-owned business has won $1,000 and a $5,000 valued digital marketing package courtesy of The Ginger Agency.

On Saturday, 16 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the A Taste of the Atlantic Powwow in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for their chance to win cash and in-kind prizes to advance their businesses.

A Taste of the Atlantic Festival is a two-weekend event to celebrate Indigenous culture through food, art, music, and language. This year the festival featured a powwow at the York Arena in Fredericton. Festival Founder and Pow Wow Pitch Alumni, Jenna White, was passionate about bringing Pow Wow Pitch to the event to support local vendors, “My experience with Pow Wow Pitch has helped me to grow and gain confidence as an entrepreneur, so being able to come full circle to now help provide those opportunities to my own community, means so much to me.” 

Pow Wow Pitch welcomed judges Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI, Jenna White, Founder and CEO of A Taste of the Atlantic, and Sarah Martell, President of The Ginger Agency, to adjudicate and listen to the pitches of vendors and attendees.

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. Through her school programming, she is able to strengthen and sustain a whole new generation of fluent speakers. Lisa shared in her pitch that Kehkimin is growing and she is now able to support an additional eight students starting in the fall. 

“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.” 

The Second-Place $750 Prize Winner was Abby Brooks, Founder and Head Organizer of the NYE Powwow, an event created specifically for the sober community to gather during the holidays to find a safe space to bring in the new year. Abby shared in her pitch what the NYE Powwow means to her and her community and pitched to win funds to support elders, powwow drummers, singers, and dancers. “Pow Wow Pitch has been an amazing experience,” said Abby. “I was glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the leap. This is going to get us started for the holiday season and we are so grateful for this opportunity!”

The Third-Place $500 winner was Ashley Sanipass, Founder of Mi’kmaq Art Experience, a hands-on art experience created to teach the traditional art styles and language of the Mi’kmaq people through workshops and art kits. Ashley pitched to win funds to develop her youth programming and to provide more materials and variety to her art kits. “My Pow Wow Pitch experience was unexpected today but so fun!” said Ashley. “It means so much to me that people are recognizing the work that I do.” 

“Congratulations to Kekimin for winning the first-ever Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Revitalizing Indigenous language is such important work and we are so happy to be able to support the future generation of students. Thank you, also, to A Taste of the Atlantic, Ginger Agency and JEDI for supporting Pow Wow Pitch to join this great event to put the spotlight on and support local Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

“It was such a great experience to join the Pow Wow Pitch team to recognize Indigenous entrepreneurship at the Taste of the Atlantic Festival,” said Sarah Martell, President of The Ginger Agency. “The participants in the competition displayed incredible heart, passion, and dedication for their work – it was inspiring. The winners are truly deserving of their prize and will undoubtedly continue delivering their impact in their communities. Ginger feels honoured to have had the opportunity to support the day’s events.”

“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, 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!”

“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 Tara on advancing to the next round.”

All those who pitched at the Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support.

The post Lisa Perley Dutcher, Kehkimin, wins A Taste of the Atlantic Pow Wow Pitch appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard in collaboration with CFDC of CIFN, announced Charles Kruger, from Okanagan First Nation, founder of Kruger Mountain Gear, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Kamloopa Winner. Charles has won $5,000 and is advancing to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow his business.

Twenty-four Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Kamloopa Powwow in Kamloops, British Columbia, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Co-host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, co-hosted the action-packed program alongside Suzette Amaya, media and entertainment entrepreneur, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

Following a first-round open pitch in the evening of Friday, August 4th, judges Anjula Benjamin, Senior Relationship Manager Indigenous Markets at RBC, Tracy Antoine, Senior Director of Indigenous Programs and Policies at RBC, Yvette Rasmussen, Program Manager Toronto Metropolitan University at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, and Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead Indigenous Entrepreneurship of Shopify, shortlisted the ‘Top 10’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The following morning, on Saturday, August 5th, the Top 10 entrepreneurs were paired with mentors from RBC, CDFC of CIFN, Futurpreneur, Elevate Consulting, Tapestry Collective Co-op, and Amplify Consulting Inc., to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead of Indigenous Entrepreneurship of Shopify, Holly Atjecoutay, Director of Indigenous Entrepreneur Starup Program at Futurpreneur, George Casmir, General Manager at CFDC of CIFN, and Mansur Mirani, Vice President Vancouver Tech Hub at Mastercard. 

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.”

Since his first attempt in 2022, Charles impressed the Judges with his progress, namely purchasing a patent on his elk call Battle Tubes. Charles pitched to raise funds to better market, grow his team, and begin pitching to retail shops like Cabella’s. 

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Janelle Alladina, Founder of Indiginize Creation, a fashion and retail business that specializes in custom, one-of-a-kind hats that tell stories with themes from traditional art. “My Pow Wow Pitch experience has been amazing,” said Janelle. “To help inspire our Indigenous people to realize their worth, reach for their dreams, and to work hard for their business has been amazing. We are worthy and we are still here.” Janelle plans to use her second-place winnings to start a website and to buy new materials to add more mediums to her medicine hats. 

The Third-Place $1,000 winner was Vincent Starr, Founder of VStarr Boxing, who runs boxing and martial arts strength building programs to help foster character and spirit through focused fitness. “Pow Wow Pitch has been so much fun,” said Vincent. “Everyone has been so welcoming and the mentors have helped so much with their experience. It has been so great to see so many entrepreneurs working for our future generations.” Vincent was announced as a Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalist at the end of July in the Health & Wellness category.

The Youth Prize of $500 went to 19-year-old, activist and entrepreneur, Cambria Wichmann for her idea to create a space to foster healing and growth for at-risk youth in urban communities. Her pitch focused on the need for an early-intervention space to help Indigenous communities facing drug or gang violence to reconnect with culture. “My Pow Wow Pitch experience was really amazing,” said Cambria. “I think this is really important, especially for the youth to see that we can succeed too.”

The Fan Favourite Prize of $500 went to Ed Jensen, Founder of Tk’emlúps Traditions and weapons specialist, who is sharing his art and craft with his community. Ed shared pitched to raise funds to take on an apprentice to transfer his knowledge. “My pitch experience was a whirlwind,” said Ed. “I registered moments before pitching! Putting my dreams and visions together was overwhelming but the mentorship was great. My mentor really helped me put my thoughts and ideas together and I really appreciated that. This was a really great incentive to work harder for next year!”

“Congratulations to Charles Kruger on his Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Charles won Fan Favourite last year and it was so amazing to see how much his business has grown and pitch has improved in just one year! We are so proud of the work he is doing and can’t wait to see him shine in the Finals.”

I’m so honoured to be a co-host of Pow Wow Pitch this year,” said Suzette Amaya, media and entertainment entrepreneur. “It’s so exciting here at Kamloops to see all the Indigenous entrepreneurs who not only have heart, determination, and amazing creativity, but are giving back to the community. I think that is what makes this year so special.”

All those who pitched at the Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support.

“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, 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!”

“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 Tara on advancing to the next round.”

Charles will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19, 2023. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

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On Saturday, July 15th, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify,and Mastercard with local presenting partner Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) in collaboration with Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB), announced Curtis Bartibogue, Owner of Turtle Island Aqua Inc., from Esgenoopetitj First Nation as the 2023 Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch Winner. The Indigenous-owned business has won $5,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000.

On Saturday, twenty-one Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Natoaganeg Traditional Powwow in Eel Ground First Nation, New Brunswick, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

Following a first-round open pitch, judges Jeff MacTavish, Director of Economic Development for the City of Miramichi, Sequin Bear, Owner of Party Bear Rentals, Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI, Natasha Martin-Michell, Development Officer for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs at WBNB, and Tiffany Gallivan, Managing Director of Valiant. Modern Media., shortlisted the ‘Top 10’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The Top 10 entrepreneurs were paired with mentors from Party Bear Rentals, JEDI, WBNB, and Valiant. Modern Media. to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Jenna White, Founder and Owner of Jenna’s Nut-Free Dessertery Inc, Jolene Johnson, Founder and CEO of Wabanaki Maple, Sydney Paul, Economic Development Officer of Natoaganeg First Nation, and Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI. 

First-Place Winner, Curtis Bartibogue, Owner of 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, “Our long-term goal is to help Indigenous communities that have no access to pure and healthy drinking water.”

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Jessica Johnson, Founder of True Grit Carpentry, a residential carpentry service that pitched to raise funds to purchase necessary tools to provide new services. “It has been great to be part of Pow Wow Pitch to network and learn from everyone,” said Jessica. “Winning today was a bonus and I’m definitely taking home more than the prize!”

The Third-Place $1,000 winner was Shayna Boudreau, Owner of Skoden Hair Ties, a hair tie brand famous on the powwow trail. Shayna pitched to raise funds to invest in growing her digital marketing and sales. Shayna shares her advice for other Indigenous entrepreneurs to inspire them and their journeys, “Never give up because you really never know how far you’re going to get if you don’t try.”

The Youth Prize $500 winner was Moise Russo, the vision behind RC Racing Customization, a hobby-turned-idea to create customized hydro-dipping for RC race cars. Moise shared that he wanted to start a club for him and his friends to spend their time getting creative, having fun and learning together.

The Fan Favourite Prize $500 winners were Shaunessey McKay and Mariah Sark, Co-Founders of Sweet Sage Yoga Studio, a yoga studio that promotes accessibility and wellness. “I think this was a beautiful opportunity,” said Shaunessey. “It got us in front of people, and gave us experience with networking.” Mariah also shared her experience, “We wanted to get out of our comfort zones and pitch our business idea. Pow Wow Pitch gave new skills to move forward and we are excited to use our prize to get stuff done.”

“Congratulations to Curtis Bartibogue on its Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “They came here today with a solid vision and a great product that has an amazing message and potential to grow. We look forward to showcasing them at the Grand Finale in October.”

“I think it’s a great initiative to bring to New Brunswick,” said Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI. “It really allows us to come into the community to promote entrepreneurship and Indigenous businesses.”

“Working with the Pow Wow Pitch team has been such an exciting and rewarding experience,” said Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager at JEDI. “We have been wanting to bring Pow Wow Pitch to New Brunswick for some time and are so thrilled to see that it was a hit within the community! Thank you to Pow Wow Pitch for working with us to bring this opportunity to our entrepreneurs and  making this initiative a reality!”

“I am so proud of our community,” said Natasha Martin-Mitchell, Development Officer for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs of WBNB. “It was an amazing experience getting to judge and we are so thankful to Pow Wow Pitch for bringing this amazing opportunity to New Brunswick.”

“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, 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!”

“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 Tara on advancing to the next round.”

All those who pitched at the Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support.

Curtis will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19, 2023. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

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On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Mastercard and with the local support of Invest Ottawa and ADAAWE, announced Lisa Vicaire, from Timiskaming First Nation, founder of Algonquin Acres, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Ottawa Summer Solstice Festival Winner. Lisa has won $5,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

Twenty-two Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Summer Solstice Festival at Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa, Ontario, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

Following a first-round open pitch on the morning of Saturday, June 24th, judges Jason McDonald, Business Developnent Manager at Futurprenuer Canada, Relay Tangie, Director of Finance at NACCA, Lindley Graham, Director of Small Business Marketing at Canada Post, Paula Hopkins, Director of Entrepreneurship at Invest Ottawa, Karla Briones, Founder of Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, and Shehnila Sayeed, Communications Specialist at CIRA, shortlisted the ‘Top 10’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The Round 1 judges also awarded two special additional prizes courtesy of MINI TIPI that were announced alongside the Top 10. The Community Impact Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Alexandra Whiteduck, Co-Progrect Manager of Project Nibi, for her passion to gain access to clean water to Indigenous communities. The Start Up Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Shannon David, Owner of Shannon David Leather Creations, for her talented work and drive to succeed. An honourable mention went to Kona Decoursey, Owner of Love, Koko, for her artistic drive and amazing courage. Kona took home a bundle of gifts including a MINI TIPI bag, and Pow Wow Pitch swag.

The Top 10 entrepreneurs were then paired with mentors from Miss Bao Restaurant + Cocktail Bar, Futurpreneur Canada, CIRA, NACCA, Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, RBC, and BDC to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Nishant Raina, Director of Small Businesses at Mastercard, Tamer Gabbour, Senior Commercial Account Manager at RBC, Trisha Pitura, Co-Founder of MINI TIPI, Angel Aubichon, Co-Founder of INDI CITY, and Jennifer Lafitte-Coute, Senior Procurement Advisor at EDC.

First-Place Winner Lisa Vicaire, Founder of Algonquin Acres said, “From the Pow Wow Pitch experience, I have come to realize that for every Indigenous entrepreneur there is a whole team of people out there to cheer you on that you haven’t met yet.”

Lisa started Algonquin Acres 11 months ago and has already been able to help hundreds of Indigenous youth at her farm through animal therapy and animal-assisted learning activities. Algonquin Acres is an equestrian centre that hosts riding programs and clinics. Lisa pitched to raise funds to build an enclosed riding centre so that she can also host programming in the winter. This was Lisa’s third year pitching for Pow Wow Pitch. She also has a featured episode on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast set to air July 3rd.

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Alexandra Whiteduck, Co-Project Manager of Project Nibi, a student-led social enterprise based at the University of Ottawa that focuses on investigating and creating a sustainable way to tackle the water crisis affecting Indigenous communities across Canada. “Pow Wow Pitch is such an amazing experience,” said Alexandra. “You meet amazing mentors, you meet amazing people and your network constantly grows just from the competition itself. So if you’re thinking of doing it, absolutely come out and pitch.”

The Third-Place $1,000 Winner was Gavin Decontie, Founder of Decontie Clean, a fully Indigenous owned and operated professional  commercial property cleaning service. “This was my third time pitching at Pow Wow Pitch,” said Gavin. “Pow Wow Pitch means a lot to me because it’s able to help out my business and I’m really grateful to win third place. A word of advice I would give to people wanting to join Pow Wow Pitch is to never give up, you never know what could happen.” 

Another prize courtesy of MINI TIPI of $1,000 went to Marissa Dube, Founder of Eiralize Lashes, a woman- and Indigenous-owned beauty brand that is dedicated to giving back and making beauty affordable. “I’m really happy that I did the Pow Wow Pitch,” said Marissa. “The main push for me was to practice public speaking and winning the money was just a bonus. I’m glad I got to take home $1,000 from MINI TIPI. I will definitely do it again next year and I’m excited for the virtual competition!”

The Youth Prize of $500 went to Cadence Cotter, Founder of Manes & Reins Equestrian Co., who is inspiring the younger generation to take initiative on their passions. Cadence started a business to be able to support herself through her equestrian journey. Cadence shared about her Pow Wow Pitch experience, “Sometimes it’s very nerve-wracking but if you work hard, you can get it done!” 

The Fan Favourite Prize of $500 went to Dr. Sadie Laronde, Founder of The Butterfly Effect, a nervous system and generational healing practice, that wowed the crowd! “This has been such a great learning opportunity,”  said Dr. Laronde. “Connecting with the community feels really empowering as a starting Indigenous entrepreneur. This was a surprise win and I’m going to put this to good use for healing our people.” The Fan Favourite Prize was announced and presented by Janelle Niles, Producer and Comedia of Got Land? Indigenous Comedy Show and last year’s Summer Solstice Fan Favourite winner. 

In addition to all of the prizes won this weekend, MINI TIPI stepped up again to give back to the Pow Wow Pitch community by awarding Desiree Streit, Founder of Friday Night Beading Club with a MINI TIPI mentorship opportunity. “I’m really thankful for the opportunity that Pow Wow Pitch is here and makes it accessible for Indigenous entrepreneurs like myself, who are just starting out to network and get their products out there and be a part of a community which is really important to me,” said Desiree. “And that businesses like MINI TIPI have come up through the channels and are now mentoring young business owners like myself.”

“Congratulations to Lisa Vicaire on her Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are so proud to be a part of Lisa’s journey and so excited to see how much she has grown in this past year. She is truly an inspiration and we love supporting her efforts to build an amazing program for Indigenous youth! Another huge congratulations to all of our winners! This year’s Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch was definitely special, we can’t wait to see all the amazing things everyone will do!”

“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, 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!”

All those who participated at the Summer Solstice Festival Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support!

“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 Tara on advancing to the next round.”

“The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is thrilled to be hosting Pow Wow Pitch once again,” said Trina Mather-Simard, Executive Director & Producer of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. “This incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs started right here on our Storytellers and Elders Stage. Each year we are blown away by the brilliance of our Indigenous community and love to watch them confidently pitch and ultimately grow their idea into a successful business.”

Lisa will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19, 2023. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

The post Lisa Vicaire, Algonquin Acres wins 2023 Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On Saturday, May 20th, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify,and Mastercard, announced Tara Hall, from Pinaymootang First Nation, founder of The Indigenous Kitchen, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Manito Ahbee Festival Winner. Tara has won $5,000, a $20,000 value package in digital marketing from IndigPro, and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

Thirty Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Host Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, emceed the action-packed program, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality. 

This past weekend’s events were also covered by last year’s Manito Ahbee Festival winner, Erica Daniels, Founder of Kejic Productions. Erica’s team followed Sunshine Tenasco and the Pow Wow Pitch team for a mini-documentary.

Following a first-round open pitch on the morning of Saturday, May 20th, judges Noah Wilson, Senior Business Development Manager at Futurpreneur Canada, Yvette Shang, Senior Advisor in Business Development of Mitacs, Melanie Gamache, Founder of Borealis Beading, Nermin Sa’d, Global Entrepreneurship Specialist of North Forge Technology Exchange, and Sage Lacerte, Founder and CEO of Sage Initiatives, shortlisted the ‘Top 11’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two. 

The Top 11 entrepreneurs were paired with mentors from Futurepreneur Canada, Mitacs, North Forge Technology Exchange, Sage Initiatives, and IndigPro to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges Erica Daniels, CEO of Kejic Productions, Sean Rayland Bourbar, CEO of Red Rebel Armour, Dwayne Bird, CEO of IndigPro, and Clarissa Cruz, CEO of Bare Body Sugaring.

“Doing this Pow Wow Pitch was amazing,” said First-Place Winner Tara Hall, Founder of The Indigenous Kitchen. “It was my first try, so I want to say ‘Give it a try and it was worth a shot.’” Tara shares her advice to other entrepreneurs, “Somebody said that the worst case scenario was that someone was going to say ‘No’ to me but to just keep on trying, so that’s what I did.”

Tara’s business, The Indigenous Kitchen, is a local food truck in Winnipeg that specializes in traditional Indigenous food. The Indigenous Kitchen was a vendor at the Manito Ahbee Festival and celebrated a sold-out weekend on top of bringing home the Pow Wow Pitch First-Place Prize. Tara shared in her pitch that she has goals to turn her food truck into a fine dining experience inspired by her traditional meals. “I want to showcase the foods that I grew up eating and to elevate them into a fine dining setting with new techniques that everyone can love and enjoy.”

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Jordan Smith, Founder of Renterii, a rental share app that allows users to rent out items, spaces, and experiences. “I’m beyond appreciative for this opportunity to put a spotlight on what I’m doing,” said Jordan. “This is going to help me with the start-up side of my business and to keep marketing and development going forward.”

The Third-Place $1,000 winners were Dana Conolly, Shauna Fontaine, and Brittany Grisdale, co-Founders of Pitâw Mīno Muskiki, a fully women and Indigenous owned marketplace, specializing in uplifting handmade products. Shauna Fontaine commented. “We are excited to use this money to continue to help build relationships with youth, and to be able to help pay them honorarium for helping out as volunteers at our markets.” Dana Conolly continues, “And we are really excited about this opportunity to continue to be able to host our Indigenous handmade markets and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship.”

In addition to Second and Third Place Prize money, both Renterii and Pitâw Mīno Muskiki will each receive a $5,000 value brand development package courtesy of IndigPro.

The Youth Prize of $500 and Fan Favourite Prize of $500 both went to Simon Monteith, a.k.a Simon the Scientist, who is inspiring the younger generation through science experiments on his YouTube channel. Simon shared his wisdom beyond his years to any entrepreneurs who may be thinking about pitching in the future, “Nervousness is just excitement for something that hasn’t happened yet.”

“Congratulations to Tara Hall on her Golden Ticket win to advance to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Lines for her food truck could be seen all weekend long and we applaud her success and passion!  We can’t wait to see where she grows from here and what delicious meal she creates next!”

“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.”

All those who pitched at the Manito Ahbee Festival Pow Wow Pitch will receive a free .CA domain name courtesy of CIRA, a 60-day free Shopify trial, and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community for ongoing support.

“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, 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!”

“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 Tara on advancing to the next round.”

“This year the Manito Ahbee Festival was a success with record breaking attendance. With our new programming Red Road Runway, jig n jam, partnerships with Treaty 2, MICEC ( big bingo) and Anishiinaabek Odaminoang – Manito Ahbee Cup Hockey tournament people from all over turtle island came out and supported,” said Candice Hart, Program & Pow Wow Manager, Manito Ahbee Festival. “Also returning this year was our Indian Horse Relay was a big success with Elite Indian Horse Relay Association. Without all our managers and volunteers we would not be able to run this festival without them.” 

“Congratulations to winners Tara Hall at the Indigenous Kitchen, Jordan Smith at Renterii.com , and the ladies of Pitâ Mīno Muskiki for winning top three spots, and for everyone who entered,” said Lisa Meeches, Executive Director, Manito Ahbee Festival. “The Manito Ahbee Festival is so proud to support young Indigenous entrepreneurs and future leaders. Chii miigwetch to Sunshine Tenasco and her team for their work to support growing Indigenous businesses and I can’t wait to see these innovative people flourish and inspire more Indigenous creators.”

Tara will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19, 2023. Visit www.powwowpitch.org for more information.

The post Tara Hall, The Indigenous Kitchen, wins 2023 Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.