Pow Wow Pitch Podcast

Hear from Shadi Hafez, Algonquin Anishinaabe and Syrian PhD student in sociology, and program manager for the National Association of Friendship Centres as he discusses his work supporting Indigenous communities through the Friendship Centre movement in health, social well-being, and economic autonomy.

This week, we welcomed back Kyle St-Amour Brennan onto the podcast to discuss his position as the program lead for Build Native Indigenous Entrepreneur at Shopify. Kyle advises Indigenous entrepreneurs to transition from selling their products on social media to creating their online store using Shopify.

This week of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, we welcomed back Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, a cosmetics company that combines beauty with environmental responsibility to be a force for Indigenous representation in the beauty community. Listen for her journey as an entrepreneur, her experiences with Indigenous identity, and her inspiring vulnerability.

“There's no secret recipe, you know, it's courage, hard work, attitude and effort. I say that all the time with my kids too. And I realized your attitude and the amount of effort you put in is what's going to help you succeed and not to be scared of failing.” This week of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast,we welcomed Trisha Pitura and Melanie Bernard, co-founders of MINI TIPI, a manufacturing brand that produces quality textiles and supports Indigenous artists. The pair shares their journey of navigating partnership and how they forge a bridge to reach both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

"Start where you're comfortable; start where it comes easy for you because then you're going to build up that confidence.” On this Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, Kahentawaks Tiewishaw, a bear clan Mohawk from Kanehsatake and co-founder of Revital Software, discusses her early years, her entrepreneurial journey, and language revitalization.

“You're never too old to learn or start something new as long as you're willing to keep an open mind and always be willing to learn.” On this episode of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, guest Jolene Johnson, Founder of Wabanaki Maple, talks about rediscovering her roots, building a business aligned with her values and starting up later in life.

“Entrepreneurialism has given me the space to be an Anishnabe man, heal through generations, and serve my community.” On this episode of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, guest Matthew Nahdee, Pow Wow Pitch Alumni, talks about finding your passion, growing with the Indigenous entrepreneurship community and funding Indigenous businesses.

"Seek out your gift and use that to uplift your community through entrepreneurship." On this episode of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, guest Erica Daniels, Founder & CEO of Kejic Productions, talks about Indigenous storytelling and cultural revitalization through entrepreneurship. what it takes to move from starting up to building a sustainable and growing business, and investing in Indigenous youth.

“Being a warrior entrepreneur is about revitalizing the Indigenous economy, knowing Indigenous people had a thriving economy way before contact, and honouring our ancestors. We had such strong ties to each other, with nations all across Turtle Island - such extensive trade networks, infrastructure, mediums of exchange, and ways of resolution. All they did was build on top of it.” On this episode of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, guest Dakota Bear, Founder & CEO of Decolonial Clothing, talks about warrior entrepreneurship, using music and clothing to inspire social justice and lifting Indigenous communities.

"Sacred Creativity is the process of holding space and ceremony to connect with ancestors, to show up, to listen, and to do the work that they are asking me to do. This is a space of flow where 'the itty bitty shitty committee' that says, 'you can't do this, you're going to fail' is quiet, and I can trust myself. And I have to tell you that when I have entered into a space of sacred creativity, it feels like magic." In this episode of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast, guest Ecko Aleck, Founder and CEO of Sacred Matriarch Collective, discusses decolonizing business, sacred creativity and land-based healing and learning with Host Sunshine Tenasco.