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.”
A Taste of Tradition with Jenna White
Jenna White, a successful Indigenous entrepreneur based in Fredericton, has brought a fresh wave of inspiration to the Canadian food industry. She has not only established thriving businesses but also contributed significantly to the Indigenous cuisine scene. Today, Jenna is the Founder of Jenna’s Nut Free Dessertery Inc, White Cedar Consulting, and A Taste of the Atlantic.
NACCA and Pow Wow Pitch Launch 3-Year Partnership to Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs
“Pow Wow Pitch has demonstrated the importance of celebration and providing a platform to encourage Entrepreneurship,” said Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of NACCA. “Partnering with Pow Wow Pitch, which is a powerful platform at the top of the funnel of Indigenous entrepreneurs into the business ecosystem, makes a lot of sense, so that NACCA and our Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) can provide follow-on support to support them along their journey. This multi-year agreement is a good step forward in creating an integrated ecosystem driving the future of Indigenous-led entrepreneurial growth.”
Kamloopa Powwow Welcomes Back Pow Wow Pitch to West Coast
“Pow Wow Pitch is a great extension to the work we do at the Kamloopa Powwow Society,” said Delyla Daniels, Director of Kamloopa Powwow Society. “Supporting First Nations culture and businesses, including our individual entrepreneurs, helps to grow our communities economically and improves our lives overall.”
MNP to Provide Strategic Advisory Support to Pow Wow Pitch Community
“We are proud to work alongside Pow Wow Pitch to celebrate the hard work and talent of the Indigenous entrepreneurship community,” says Clayton Norris, Vice-President of Indigenous Services at MNP. “Indigenous entrepreneurs have the power to transform industries — and we are inspired by their ability to weave an uncompromising focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and immersive brand storytelling into exceptional business plans.”
Jelly Academy Extends Partnership with Pow Wow Pitch To Empower Indigenous Entrepreneurs With Digital Marketing Skills
“It is an honour for Jelly Academy to be able to partner with Pow Wow Pitch. Since founding Jelly Academy, it has been our dream to help Indigenous communities obtain these increasingly sought-after, industry-recognized micro-credentials— partnering with Pow Wow Pitch makes this all the more possible,” said Darian Kovacs, Founder and CEO of Jelly Academy. “I feel fortunate having witnessed the digital marketing industry grow over the years, and I also feel confident that Jelly Academy has only strengthened this growth through our mission to empower Indigenous voices.”
Pow Wow Pitch Partners with Joint Economic Development Initiative in Collaboration with Women in Business New Brunswick to bring Pow Wow Pitch to 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!”
Export Development Canada Continues Commitment to Indigenous Entrepreneur Growth
Reflecting on the historical importance of trade in Indigenous prosperity, Todd Evans, National Lead for Indigenous Exporters at EDC, voiced his optimism: “Exporting can empower today’s Indigenous entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses. Our alliance with Pow Wow Pitch aids EDC’s mission to make trade more inclusive by offering access to our trade expertise, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections.”
Cultural Harmony at Algonquin Acres
Founded by Lisa Vicaire in Timiskaming First Nation, Algonquin Acres stands as a testament to Indigenous entrepreneurship and the power of innovative therapeutic approaches in supporting mental health among Indigenous youth. Lisa’s approach intertwines Indigenous teachings and traditions with animal therapy, primarily using horses as a medium to boost mental resilience and self-confidence.
MINI TIPI Gives Back: Three Extra Prizes for Indigenous Entrepreneurs at Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch
“MINI TIPI is super excited to be part of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Trisha Pitura, Co-founder of MINI TIPI. “We’ve actually pitched three times, participating as entrepreneurs. To see the progress we have made from the opportunities we’ve received from Pow Wow Pitch is unbelievable. We love and support everything that Pow Wow Pitch does for entrepreneurs to give them that space and stage to stand out, dream big, and tell their story. This year we really wanted to allow entrepreneurs to have more opportunities, so MINI TIPI has given three prizes of $1,000 each, from entrepreneur to entrepreneur, to lift each other up and to see us all succeed together.”
Lisa Vicaire, Algonquin Acres wins 2023 Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch
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.”
Pow Wow Pitch Partners with Natoaganeg Traditional Powwow on July 15th
“The Indigenous Business Pitch competition will not only give New Brunswick Indigenous entrepreneurs a chance to win cash prizes towards their start-up or existing business, but it gives them the chance to enter the Turtle Island Pow Wow Pitch Competition and get exposure on a national level. Effective partnerships like these with the focus on increasing Indigenous representation within the New Brunswick economy is paving the way to what true economic reconciliation is,” said Stanley Barnaby, CEO of JEDI.
Pow Wow Pitch Welcomes First Team Members
“Joining Pow Wow Pitch has allowed me to get involved with work that feels good,” said Brett Burrow, Programs Coordinator at Pow Wow Pitch. “Pow Wow Pitch has welcomed me into a community I am proud to support and I’m so excited to be a part of the journey to continue building Pow Wow Pitch from here on.”
Ottawa Summer Solstice Welcomes Back Pow Wow Pitch for the 8th Year
“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 Celebration 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.”
Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs Through E-Commerce
Kyle St-Amour Brennan’s work as the program lead of Build Native Indigenous Entrepreneurs at Shopify is making a real difference in the world of Indigenous entrepreneurship. His work with the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast is just one example of his commitment to promoting greater economic diversity and inclusivity, and is an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere. Said best by Kyle himself, “It’s all part of building a circular economy and building that impact.”