Neqotkuk business based in Calgary, Alberta wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 5th, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard Canada, announced Andrew Dutcher, the Neqotkuk Founder and Author of Big-Hearted Parenting, a business based in Calgary, Alberta, as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Knowledge Services Semi-Final Winner. Andrew has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow his business.
More than 300 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. From the 300 applicants, 100 were selected as Semi-Finalists and provided with training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges.
Last night, eleven Knowledge Services Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and advance as a finalist.
Judges included Katelyn Lawson, Commercial Relationship Manager of Indigenous Banking at RBC; Akshata Rajendra Raikar, Software Engineer II at Mastercard Canada; Relay Tangie, Director of Finance at NACCA; and Althea Wishloff, Partner at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners.
“I am so grateful that Pow Wow Pitch is going to be part of my journey of growing Big-Hearted Parenting, helping Indigenous families, and showing that every child mmatters,” said Dr. Andrew Dutcher, Founder of Big-Hearted Parenting. “I will use the winnings from Pow Wow Pitch to market Big-Hearted Parenting across Canada and help all the big-hearted parents learn how to yell less and connect more.”
Dr. Andrew Dutcher is a licensed child and adolescent psychiatrist working with Indigenous youth and children in the welfare system. He is a published author of his first selling book ‘Big-Hearted Parenting,’ a guide to yelling less and connecting more to foster and restore relationships between parents and children. Big-Hearted Parenting is also growing on social media to spread Andrew’s message to keep families together and children out of Canada’s welfare system by equipping parents with the tools to improve relationships, create loving homes, and end cycles of intergenerational trauma.
Andrew pitched to win funds to expand their social media efforts and marketing, record an audio book of ‘Big-Hearted Parenting’, and launch online courses for parents to learn how to yell less and connect more.
“I think Indigenous entrepreneurs need to dream big and realize they have a valuable solution that could change the world,” expressed Andrew, echoing empowerment for fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The judges congratulate Andrew for his great work in presenting his business, how he plans to expand Big-Hearted Parenting’s impact and for his incredible work in helping families connect and grow together.
“Congratulations Andrew on your Semi-Final win and for advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Big-Hearted Parenting is doing important work to end cycles of intergenerational trauma and healing bonds within Indigenous families. At a time when there are more Indigenous children in the child welfare system than there were at the height of Residential Schools, it’s critical to support initiatives like this. We look forward to spotlighting Andrew and sharing more about Big-Hearted Parenting with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing our impact together.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledge the Runner Up for the Knowledge Services industry category. Gretchen Sands Gamble, Founder of Woodland Craft Barn, was recognized for her initiative to create a space within her community of Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) to come together and share knowledge.
“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous trailblazers who are making a transformative impact on our communities with their resilience, ingenuity and unwavering commitment to success.” said Tracy Antoine, Senior Director of Indigenous Programs and Policies at RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists – their courage to participate leads to life achievements and their shared stories are truly inspirational. We are committed to supporting their growth and success in the future.”
“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honour, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”
“The innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch have been truly inspiring,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re committed to working with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to unlock access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs across the diverse communities we serve to power economies and empower people. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Andrew on advancing to the next round.”
To watch Andrew’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Knowledge Services Semi-Final episode, click here.
Andrew will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 23rd. Register to watch the 2024 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.