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Through this partnership, Indigenous entrepreneurs from across New Brunswick will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses in-person, connect with mentors, and compete for $9,500 in cash prizes.

Women in Business New Brunswick will support the event through mentorship, judging, and engagement with participants on-site. Through its programs and services, WBNB works with women entrepreneurs across the province, including Indigenous women at various stages of their business journey.

“Women in Business New Brunswick is proud to support Indigenous entrepreneurs through partnerships like this,” said Nacole Charlie, Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Development Officer at Women in Business New Brunswick. “Pow Wow Pitch creates a space for entrepreneurs to share their ideas, build confidence, and connect with others.”

“We’re excited to work with Women in Business New Brunswick as we bring Pow Wow Pitch to Sitansisk Powwow,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “This work opens more doors for entrepreneurs to access support and take the next step in their business journey. It’s especially important that they have local support to continue building momentum long after our programming wraps up in community.”

Indigenous entrepreneurs who participate in Sitansisk Pow Wow Pitch will also gain access to Pow Wow Pitch programming, including mentorship, resources, and opportunities to grow their businesses beyond the event.
Visit powwowpitch.org/sitansisk to learn more and pre-register to pitch.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of Mastercard and RBC. Our vision is to create a world where Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive, feeling supported, safe, and encouraged to develop their ideas and build businesses that create a positive cycle of growth. With a mission to provide resources and mentorship, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs while amplifying their stories to inspire future generations and foster a more inclusive world.

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

About Women in Business New Brunswick

Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) supports women entrepreneurs across the province with training, resources, and programming tailored to meet their unique needs. Through inclusive and community-driven initiatives, WBNB is committed to helping women — particularly those from underrepresented groups — start, grow, and lead successful businesses.

For more information, visit wbnb-fanb.ca/en. 

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Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, co-presented by Mastercard and RBC, proudly announces its partnership to host an Indigenous Business Pitch Competition at the Sitansisk Powwow, taking place in St. Mary’s First Nation, New Brunswick on June 19 & 20, 2026.

Sitansisk Powwow is a vibrant gathering that celebrates culture, community, and connection. This annual event brings together dancers, drummers, vendors, and visitors to honour traditions and showcase the strength and creativity of Indigenous communities in the region.

St. Mary’s First Nation will host Pow Wow Pitch as part of this year’s powwow, creating space to spotlight Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and innovators. New Brunswick-based Indigenous entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses for a chance to win $9,500 in cash prizes and gain valuable exposure.

The Sitansisk Pow Wow Pitch is presented locally by the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)  in partnership with Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB). Their collaboration supports on-site mentoring, judging, and ongoing support for participants.

How It Works

To enter, New Brunswick-based Indigenous entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited spots here: powwowpitch.org/sitansisk, with a limited number of spots reserved for those who arrive on-site and want to pitch. Entrepreneurs will have 1 minute to present their ideas or businesses for a chance to win.

The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors to refine their final pitch before presenting to the judges. Prizes at Sitansisk include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, $500 for the Youth prize, and $500 for the Fan Favourite. The 1st place winner will also receive a Golden Ticket to the 2026 Grand Finale for a chance to win the $25,000 Grand Prize.

“We’re proud to welcome Pow Wow Pitch to Sitansisk 26th Powwow and create space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to share their ideas and grow their businesses,” said Nicole Carty, Powwow Committee Coordinator for Sitansisk. “This opportunity brings together community, culture, and entrepreneurship in a meaningful way, and we’re excited to see participants share their stories.”

“We’re so honoured to be part of Sitansisk Powwow and celebrate the incredible Indigenous entrepreneurs in New Brunswick,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “These moments are about fun, connection, and possibility, they create space for entrepreneurs to be seen, supported, and celebrated. We’re excited to connect with participants and continue growing this vibrant entrepreneurial community together.”

Join us at Sitansisk Powwow and pitch your business for a chance to win cash prizes. This is your opportunity to share your story, connect with community, and take the next step in your business journey.

All Indigenous entrepreneurs who pitch will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community and gain access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, opportunities to be considered for the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box, and a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.

Visit powwowpitch.org/sitansisk to learn more and pre-register to pitch.

*This opportunity is open to Indigenous entrepreneurs in New Brunswick.

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Building on the success of their collaborations to build opportunities and support to Indigenous New Brunswick residents, Pow Wow Pitch, JEDI and WBNB are joining forces once again to spotlight a new First Nations community in New Brunswick. The impact of this partnership continues to celebrate and empower Indigenous entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed all throughout the province.

At this year’s Elsipogtog Powwow held in Elsipogtog First Nation, JEDI is proud to collaborate with Pow Wow Pitch by providing prizes and helping to connect Indigenous entrepreneurs with essential resources, including capital and mentorship. JEDI is a leading Indigenous organization dedicated to fostering Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick. Their team members will serve as judges and mentors at the Elsipogtog Pow Wow Pitch, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship.

“We are proud to be continuing our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch for a third year to uplift and celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship across New Brunswick,” expressed Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI. “At JEDI, we recognize the vital role Indigenous businesses play in driving economic growth while staying rooted in culture and community. It’s an honour to support and recognize these entrepreneurs as they lead the way forward.”

Echoing this impact, Women in Business New Brunswick will also be  joining forces to provide prizes, mentorship, and judges to local entrepreneurs. WBNB is a non-profit organization that empowers women entrepreneurs across the province by fostering confidence, leadership, and economic independence. Through culturally inclusive support and community-building, they help women overcome barriers, grow sustainable businesses, and become catalysts for change in their communities.

“Women in Business New Brunswick is proud to continue supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs through partnerships like this one,” said Nacole Charlie, Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Development Officer at Women in Business New Brunswick. Initiatives such as Pow Wow Pitch offer meaningful platforms to amplify Indigenous voices, celebrate innovation, and foster culturally grounded economic development.”

Echoing this sentiment, Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, shared, “We absolutely love when partners like the Joint Economic Development Initiative and Women in Business New Brunswick come together to amplify our collective impact. By working in partnership, we’re creating space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to be seen, supported, and celebrated. We’re excited to deepen these relationships and continue strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit across New Brunswick.”

By working alongside Pow Wow Pitch, JEDI and WBNB are contributing to a growing movement that empowers and supports Indigenous entrepreneurship.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of Mastercard and RBC. Our vision is to create a world where Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive, feeling supported, safe, and encouraged to develop their ideas and build businesses that create a positive cycle of growth. With a mission to provide resources and mentorship, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs while amplifying their stories to inspire future generations and foster a more inclusive world.

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

About Joint Economic Development Initiative

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is an Indigenous organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous participation in New Brunswick’s economy.  JEDI began in 1995 as a tripartite partnership between Indigenous communities in New Brunswick, the Government of Canada, and the Government of New Brunswick. In 2009, JEDI was incorporated as an independent, non-profit organization and over the years JEDI has grown into an Indigenous organization focused on working closely with its partners from Indigenous communities, organizations, government, and the private sector to foster Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick.

For more information, visit jedinb.ca

About Women in Business New Brunswick

Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) supports women entrepreneurs across the province with training, resources, and programming tailored to meet their unique needs. Through inclusive and community-driven initiatives, WBNB is committed to helping women — particularly those from underrepresented groups — start, grow, and lead successful businesses.

For more information, visit wbnb-fanb.ca/en. 

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Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs, co-presented by Mastercard and RBC, proudly announces its partnership with Elsipogtog Powwow, taking place in Mi'kmaq territory, Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick on August 30, 2025.

The 39th Annual Elsipogtog Powwow is taking place August 29-31, 2025 along the beautiful Richibucto River. The traditional powwow is a local highlight of Mi’kmaq culture and celebration.

Elsipogtog First Nation is hosting Pow Wow Pitch for the first time ever to celebrate and shine a spotlight on Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators. New Brunswick-based Indigenous entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch to win $10,000 in cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.

The Elsipogtog Pow Wow Pitch is co-presented locally with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and Women In Business New Brunswick (WBNB), their partnership enables $10,000 in cash prizes and on-site mentoring, judging, and ongoing support for participants.

How It Works

To enter, New Brunswick-based Indigenous entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited spots here: powwowpitch.org/elsipogtog, with a few spots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up and want to showcase their business. To pitch, entrepreneurs will have 1-minute to present their ideas or businesses for a chance to win! 

The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors to refine their final pitch before presenting to the judges and will also advance to the 2026 Turtle Island Semi-Finals. Prizes at Elsipogtog include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, $500 for the Youth prize, and $500 for the Fan Favourite. The 1st place winner will also receive a Golden Ticket to the 2025 Turtle Island Grand Finale for a chance to win the $25,000 Grand Prize.

“We’re proud to team up with Pow Wow Pitch to bring this opportunity to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Mi’kmaq territory,” said Ann Purcell of the Elsipogtog Powwow Committee. “This partnership celebrates the innovation and determination of our people, creating space to share our stories, grow our businesses, and uplift our communities across New Brunswick and beyond.”

“We’re honoured to return to New Brunswick and to be welcomed for the first time by Elsipogtog First Nation,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Our team is excited to celebrate the incredible entrepreneurial spirit in Mi’kmaq territory and to grow alongside communities like Elsipogtog. We’re grateful to the powwow committee and our local partners, JEDI and WBNB, for championing Indigenous innovation and vision.”

Join us at the Elsipogtog Powwow and pitch your business to win cash prizes of up to $5,000! This is your opportunity to showcase your talent, share your story, and inspire our community. Register now and be a part of the celebration!

All Indigenous entrepreneurs that pitch will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community and gain access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, have the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box, and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.

Visit powwowpitch.org/elsipogtog to learn more and pre-register to pitch.

*This opportunity is exclusive for residents of New Brunswick.

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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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Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced their partnership with Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and in collaboration with Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) to expand the reach of opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to New Brunswick. 

Hosted by the Natoaganeg Traditional Powwow in Eel Ground First Nation, Pow Wow Pitch is able to bring its live Indigenous Business Competitions to New Brunswick for the first time. Set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs, JEDI and WBNB will also be providing mentorship and judging both in person at the Natoaganeg Traditional Powwow in July and through virtual programming in the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Competition.

The Natoaganeg Traditional Pow Wow Pitch will be Pow Wow Pitch’s first time in New Brunswick and in Atlantic Canada. This milestone is made possible by the teams at JEDI and WBNB, through their collaboration and partnership, Pow Wow Pitch can now reach the Indigenous entrepreneurs of Eel Ground First Nation. Reaching this goal is a mark of accomplishment for Pow Wow Pitch to be able to extend its reach to more communities every year. 

JEDI and WBNB have gone above and beyond to bring Pow Wow Pitch to New Brunswick by taking part in the planning and organization of the Natoaganeg Traditional Powwow. They organized a working group that meets weekly in order to ensure that Pow Wow Pitch is working closely with the Eel Ground First Nation community to bring this opportunity to local Indigenous entrepreneurs. 

WBNB recommended two local judges to select the winners of the first Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch, Jolene Johnson, Founder of Wabanki Maple and Jenna White, Founder of Jenna’s Nut-Free Dessertery. Both of these entrepreneurs have growing businesses that attribute to their sense of community and support to being part of Women in Business New Brunswick, the JEDI community, and Pow Wow Pitch. They are shining examples of the ecosystem in action to support Indigenous entrepreneurs.

“The support of an ecosystem is so important for entrepreneurs looking to take action on their ideas,” said Jolene “Organizations like Women in Business New Brunswick, JEDI and Pow Wow Pitch have been so formative to my journey as an entrepreneur, and I am so happy to now be in a position to give back and support the next generation of East Coast entrepreneurs by being a judge at the Natoaganeg Pow Wow Pitch.” 

Natasha Martin-Mitchell, Development Officer for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs at WBNB, played a key role in organizing with Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager at JEDI, to unify the two organizations along with Cheryl Ward, Director of Natoaganeg Community Development Centre to be able to bring Pow Wow Pitch East.

“We are so excited to reach this milestone,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Thanks to JEDI and WBNB we are able to expand our reach to more Indigenous entrepreneurs, especially to a community that has shown us so much support and love. We can’t wait to meet all of the Indigenous entrepreneurs and support them in reaching their goals!” 

The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) has been actively working closely with Pow Wow Pitch, WBNB, and the Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) Pow Wow Committee to be able to fully support Pow Wow Pitch’s first event in New Brunswick.

 "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 ecstatic to see our collaborative efforts become a reality through strengthening our partnerships. We cannot wait to see our New Brunswick Indigenous entrepreneurs shine at the upcoming Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) Pow Wow and where they will grow and the succeed from there!"

Women in Business NB collaborate with JEDI to bring Pow Wow Pitch to New Brunswick Indigenous Entrepreneurs. Women in Business NB is proud to collaborate with JEDI to bring Pow Wow Pitch to the 2023 Natoaganeg Powwow. 

“There are so many talented entrepreneurs here in NB and we wanted to invite Powwow Pitch to come and celebrate each one of them at this year's gathering. I want to take this moment to acknowledge all those who are coming forward to share their ideas and hopefully take their venture to the next level with Powwow Pitch’s support,” said Natasha Martin-Mitchell, Development Officer for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs.

To pre-register your business to pitch at the Natoaganeg Powwow, visit powwowpitch.org/natoaganeg/.

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