Watch the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards
Watch the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards to meet and hear the journey and lessons of eight outstanding Indigenous entrepreneurs and watch a special performance by hoop dancer, Theland Kicknosway.
Eight Indigenous entrepreneurial leaders recognized for outstanding achievements and impact
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 3nd Annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, co-presented by RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard in partnership with Export Development Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.
Michelle Bernier wins RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award
“I stand before you today deeply humbled and grateful to receive this award,” said Michelle. “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.”
Terry Brown wins RBC Rising Star Award
“I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Pow Wow Pitch organizers, sponsors, and my family for believing in me,” said Terry. “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.”
Sarain Fox wins the Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
“This means so much to me because it took me decades to be able to claim storytelling as a career path,” said Sarain. “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.”
James Jones wins the Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
“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!’”
Vanessa Genier wins the Mastercard Game Changer Award
“I am honoured to accept this award in recognition for the work being done for Indigenous survivors by survivors,” said Vanessa. “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.”
Lori Anne Stanger wins the Mastercard Game Changer Award
“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.”
Vanessa Marshall wins the EDC Export Award
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to accept the EDC export award for domestic success and global potential,” said Vanessa. “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.”
Trina Mather-Simard wins the ITAC Tourism Award
“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.”
Niiostoseraah Thompson, Small Feather Empire Creates 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards Official Pin
Niiostoseraah shares the following description of the design, materials and vision, “My intention for this pin was for everyone to feel proud of their accomplishments. From Chief Lady Bird’s ‘Ring’ art piece, I interpreted the flower and vines of the medallion to represent that anyone can blossom into whoever they want to be and take different paths to success.”
‘Ring’ Selected as Official Art for the 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards
On this collaboration, Chief Lady Bird said, “I am happy to be partnering with Pow Wow Pitch because I believe in uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurs and love that Pow Wow Pitch is creating opportunities for Indigenous people to maintain ownership of their craft, business and intellectual property. It is important to me, as an entrepreneur, to be able to determine my own version of ‘success’ and be free to make choices that best represent my ethics, and I want this to be true for other entrepreneurs as well, and am always excited to watch other Indigenous people thrive!”
Hosted by
Sunshine Tenasco
Founder, Pow Wow Pitch
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, QC
Special Performance by
Theland Kicknosway
Singer & Dancer
Walpole Island Bkejwanong Territory, ON
'Ring' Art by
Chief Lady Bird
Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moosedeer Point First Nation, ON
CO-PRESENTED BY
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
