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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tara Hall, The Indigenous Kitchen, wins 2023 Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch

Tara Hall, The Indigenous Kitchen, wins 2023 Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch

“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.”