Pow Wow Pitch

Want to know how to level up your website? Shyra Barberstock, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Kebaonish Inc., shares her top tip ✨ Think of your website as a vehicle for storytelling Every image, word, and design choice tells a story, so make sure it reflects who you are and the impression you want to leave with others. What story does your website tell? 👇 Learn more at powwowpitch.org/mastercard #TuesdayTip #IndigenousEntrepeneurship #Storytelling Mastercard Kebaonish Inc.

We were thrilled to come together with Invest Ottawa to host the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards Mentorship & Watch Party event! 🫎🧡 More than 25 incredible Indigenous entrepreneurs joined us for an inspiring evening of mentorship, connection, and celebration. From learning with esteemed mentors to cheering on Indigenous business leaders at the awards, the event was a true celebration of community. A huge thank you to Invest Ottawa for hosting and collaborating with us to create a space where Indigenous entrepreneurs could share, learn, and be celebrated. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read more about this meaningful collaboration and the highlights from the evening: https://lnkd.in/e2bBisKJ Sonya Shorey Cynthia Desjardins Erin McLean, PFP®, QAFP™ Meagan Thompson (she/her) Katya Valiquette Sunshine Tenasco Naomi Sarazin #IndigenousEntrepreneurAwards #PowWowPitch #InvestOttawa #Community #Mentorship #Entrepreneurship #IndigenousExcellence #Ottawa

Curious how community can accelerate your business growth? Dr. Andrew Dutcher, Author of Big-Hearted Parenting, shares one powerful insight: community is one of your greatest assets. When you stay connected, uplift others, and give back, you’re not just building a business—you’re creating impact. Andrew’s journey proves that strong relationships, shared knowledge, and meaningful support can shape your path forward in incredible ways. Take a moment to reflect on the people who have helped you along the way. Who has been part of your community support system? Learn more at powwowpitch.org/rbc #TuesdayTip #CommunityMatters #GiveBack #IndigenousBusiness RBC

Dallas Arcand is recognized as the Pow Wow Pitch Grassroots Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “I work for the people. I’m really thankful to the people of the powwow for their generosity and for lifting me up along the way. Over the years, I’ve accumulated skills, embraced learning, and grown through my experiences in business. There is so much more we can do for ourselves and our communities, and that is why I love being an entrepreneur. Thank you Pow Wow Pitch for recognizing me with this award, I am so grateful.” - Dallas Arcand❤️ Dallas leads an Indigenous-based enterprise that brings culture to life through live events, music, dance, and education. His work spans cultural programming, hoop dance performances, audio production, merchandising, licensing, media, and content creation, celebrating Indigenous artistry and storytelling. Congratulations Dallas! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Dallas’ award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/eiYgBM3M Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Nova Courchene is recognized as the RBC Rising Star Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “Chi miigwetch to Pow Wow Pitch, the presenter, and to everyone who has made this moment possible. This award is not only a recognition of my work but of the youth, families, elders, and collaborators who walk beside me. I want to thank the many teachers, mentors, language speakers, and community members who continue to guide me and the young people who remind me why this work matters.” - Nova Courchene ❤️ Oshkagoojin is an Indigenous-run drama company dedicated to education, performance, and outreach. Through theatre and Indigenous languages, they connect youth to their stories, communities, and futures. Congratulations Nova! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Nova’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/e9XbyMTk Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Tanya Tourangeau is recognized as the RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “Mahsi cho to Pow Wow Pitch and to RBC for this incredible honour. To be recognized in this way means so much to me. My path to entrepreneurship has been rooted in reconciliation and I love being a bridge builder to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Heartfelt mahsi cho to my family and friends for lifting me up through every challenge and triumph. I also would like to share a deep appreciation and gratitude to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples for trusting me to walk alongside them.” - Tanya Tourangeau❤️ Tanya T Consulting is an Indigenous-led consultancy advancing meaningful and measurable Truth and Reconciliation through economic development partnerships, cultural capacity-building, and authentic collaboration across business, government and community. Congratulations Tanya! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Tanya’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/eKWC8uCT Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Christopher Dedam BCS BSBA MSSE is recognized as the Mastercard Game Changer Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “I am honoured to receive the Mastercard Game Changer Award, woliwon, I thank you. Part of our mission at Sesweg Solutions is to show that there is a place for First Nations people in information technology. One of my goals is to inspire Indigenous youth, to show them that they can have a role in tech, business, IT, and leadership. To me, this award signifies recognition, and I am very proud of the hard work we have accomplished.” - Christopher Dedam❤️ Sesgweg Software Solutions is a 100% First Nation–owned tech company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Specializing in web, mobile, and app development, Sesgweg partners with federal and provincial governments while creating IT career opportunities for First Nations youth, blending innovation with Indigenous values. Congratulations Christopher! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Christopher’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/e5jg8PCX Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Kiera Brant-Birioukov, PhD is recognized as the Mastercard Game Changer Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “I’d like to thank Jennifer Sloan and Mastercard for this incredible honour of receiving the Mastercard Game Changer Award. This journey has taught me that Indigenous entrepreneurship is nourishing, collaborative, and it thrives on mentorship and integrity. It is rooted in lifting others up. This recognition reminds me that pride and humility are not mutually exclusive. I am bound every day by deep threads of accountability to do right by and for my community and I share this honour with all of you. I look forward to what we can build together in the years ahead, niá:wenkowa.” - Kiera Brant‑Birioukov ❤️ Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of Ridge Road Training & Consulting, an Indigenous-owned company specialising in education, research and community engagement. Led by Haudenosaunee women, the firm centres Indigenous knowledge, language and land in its work; prioritizing ethical practices, meaningful partnerships and community revitalization initiatives. Congratulations Kiera! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Kiera’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/eAHZfYMz Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Bee Bird is recognized as the Sklar Wilton & Associates Legacy Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “Thank you to Pow Wow Pitch for this incredible honour. I am deeply humbled to receive the Sklar Wilton & Associates Legacy Award. My journey into entrepreneurship has been more than just starting a business. It has been about storytelling, creating opportunities, and carrying forward the voices of my people. Thank you to all of my leaders who have guided me and to my community members, my family, and friends who continue to believe in me and lift me up even when the road gets tough.” - Bee Bird ❤️ Bee Productions Inc., an Indigenous-owned media company based in Saskatchewan that creates culturally grounded stories uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering community connection. Focused on collaboration, representation, and empowering the next generation of Indigenous creatives, Bee Productions is shaping the future of Indigenous film and media. Congratulations Bee! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Bee’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/ei6ybURJ Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence

Natasha Lariviere is recognized as the Altis Community Builder Award recipient at the 2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards! “I’m honoured to accept this award. And I want to say chi-megwetch to the Pow Wow Pitch team, and to Kathryn for the Altis Community Builder Award. My journey into entrepreneurship was never just about starting a business, it was about healing, re-claiming and building spaces where youth can feel safe, proud, and connected. This work matters to build futures where our young people can live, heal, and thrive.” - Natasha Lariviere❤️ Endaayaan Awejaa Founder & CEO of Endaayaan Awejaa, a 2-Spirit, Indigenous-led organization creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth and families through land-based programming, mentorship, cultural support, and healing grounded in traditional knowledge and community care. Congratulations Natasha! Read the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/e-dFMgUR Watch Natasha’s award presentation at: https://lnkd.in/eMu65vJT Co-presented by RBC & Mastercard and in partnership with Sklar Wilton & Associates, Altis Recruitment & Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada #Awards #IndigenousBusiness #IndigenousStories #IndigenousIcons #Excellence