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.”
Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Ashley Michel, Founder and Owner of 4 Generations Creations, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Winner and the recipient of the Grand Prize of $25,000.
Levi Wild, a passionate advocate for Indigenous empowerment from the Michif & Passpasschase Cree communities, shares how his initiative, the Children Of The North Project Corp., is uplifting Indigenous people to lead the clean energy transition. Based in a remote corner of the Northwest Territories, Levi’s entrepreneurial journey was born out of necessity and a profound commitment to his community.
Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced a new partnership with the Mana Up to put the spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i, USA.
From the rich heritage of the Williams Lake Indian Band Shuswap, Indiginize Creation embodies tradition through custom, free-hand design hats inspired by Mother Earth. Owner and 2023 Aritzia Fashion Grant Recipient, Janelle Alladina, shares her journey with Indiginize Creation and how she is empowered by tradition and carving out her niche in the fashion industry.
In Santa Fe’s bustling art and fashion district, Founder and 2023 Aritzia Fashion Grant Recipient, Dante Biss-Grayson stands as an inspiration for many. His fashion brand, Sky-Eagle Collection, elegantly redesigns traditional styles of Osage heritage into modern silhouettes.
Hailing from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh heritage, Raphaëlle Langevin is the passionate force behind Matsheshu Créations, a brand that offers a unique blend of clothing and accessories infused with Indigenous designs. As a 2023 Aritzia Fashion Grant Recipient, Raphaëlle’s commitment to blending tradition with fashion is gaining widespread recognition.
From Timiskaming, Ontario to the dynamic landscape of the fashion industry, Jodie Moonie, the visionary founder behind Muusa, and a proud recipient of a 2023 Aritzia Fashion Grant, shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she is leaving an impact in Indigenous fashion and innovation.
From the community of the Métis Nation of Alberta to the broader fashion world, Jaret Smith, Founder of Unparalleled Clothing Company, and a 2023 Aritzia Fashion Grant Recipient, shares his journey into entrepreneurship and the milestones of his Pow Wow Pitch experience.
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard, announced the contents of the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Box, featuring fourteen selected products from Indigenous businesses. Each box is priced at $150 plus tax and shipping, with a market value of more than $250 with all funds used to procure products from the Indigenous businesses featured in the box.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch, whose team have been true ecosystem builders in elevating the voices and brands of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Althea Wishloff, Partner at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. “With this partnership, our goal is to learn from founders and share knowledge and capital succession for companies as they grow.”
On September 19th, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard, announced Jasmine LaBillois, the Eel River Bar First Nation Founder of Msit No’kmaq Forest & Nature School from Eel River Bar, New Brunswick, as the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch People’s Choice Winner.
On September 19th, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard, announced three Alumni Choice Prize Winners:
Ramona Emerson, the Diné Co-Founder of Reel Indian Pictures from Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA).
Sharon Marshall, the Cree and Métis Founder of Digital DEVA from Lantzville, British Columbia.
Ashley Michel, the Secwepemc Founder of 4 Generations Creations from Kamloops, British Columbia.
On September 15, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced three winners of the Fashion Semi-Final category, presented in partnership with Aritzia:
Fashion Apparel Winner: Jodie Moonie, the Timiskaming First Nation Founder of Muusa from Notre Dame Du Nord, Quebec.
Fashion Design Winner: Dante Biss-Grayson, the Osage Founder of Sky-Eagle Collection from Taos, New Mexico (USA).
Fashion Shoes & Accessories Winner: Jason Picard-Binet, the Huron Wendat President of Bastien Industries from Wendake, Quebec.
Each entrepreneur has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their businesses.
Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced a partnership with Aritzia, the vertically-integrated design house with an innovative global platform, to launch and award Aritzia Indigenous Fashion Grants to six emerging Indigenous fashion entrepreneurs.