CIRA continues to be a proud partner of Pow Wow Pitch, an inspiring competition that shines a spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurship across Turtle Island. At Pow Wow Pitch, Indigenous entrepreneurs gather to pitch their business ideas, competing for cash prizes to help turn their dreams into reality and support their communities. One of these local pitch competitions—held at Mādahòkì Farm during Ottawa’s Summer Solstice Festival—showcased the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs in addition to providing crucial support and resources to help their businesses thrive.
Empowering entrepreneurs with .CA domains
As a sponsor, CIRA provided participants with free .CA domains, enabling Indigenous entrepreneurs to establish an online presence and reach broader audiences. But CIRA’s commitment goes beyond just .CA support. CIRA team members Monika Sofrenovic and Ana Itoafa—both passionate about fostering entrepreneurship and diverse representation in business—also contributed as judges and mentors for Pow Wow Pitch, providing valuable feedback and guidance to participants throughout the competition.
Ana’s mentorship journey with Bella McBain
Ana approached her role as a mentor with open ears and an open heart, committed to learning more about Indigenous culture and helping amplify Indigenous voices. Ana connected with Bella McBain, an 18-year-old social work student and member of the Mi’kmaq community. Bella helps run her mother’s business, Cariemcbaincreations.ca, creating her own beaded jewelry and selling them at various markets and pow wows across Canada. Bella shared her family’s story of overcoming challenges—including her mother’s battle with ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory disease—which weighed heavily on their family and the business. Despite these hardships, Bella and her family found solace and strength in Indigenous beading, turning their home into a haven for creativity.
Ana helped Bella refine her competition pitch, emphasizing the cultural importance of Carie McBain Creations & Supplies—a business rooted in preserving traditional Indigenous art. Their mentorship ended with Bella confidently presenting her vision for a physical store that would not only sell beaded jewelry but also serve as a cultural centre for the Indigenous community.
Monika’s mentorship journey with Rebecca Maracle
Monika mentored Rebecca Maracle, a talented artisan known for her exceptional craftsmanship. Rebecca’s journey is rooted in her ancestral land of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, where she owns and operates a cherished family legacy—a unique art gallery and gift shop, rebeccamaracle.ca. This space not only showcases Rebecca’s exquisite traditional artwork but also serves as a cultural hub, offering workshops and spiritual readings for cleansing and rejuvenation.
Rebecca’s artistic process is imbued with profound meaning and intentionality. Each creation is a meditation, infused with energies that resonate with those who encounter them, offering healing on multiple levels—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Her art is not merely decorative but serves as a conduit for awareness and connection to the natural world and one’s inner self.
With her commitment to the holistic healing of her community, Rebecca envisions expanding her gallery’s physical space to include hygienic facilities for visitors seeking inner healing through spiritual practices. This expansion aims to create a more welcoming and supportive environment, enhancing the transformative experiences that her gallery offers.
As Monika mentored Rebecca for the pitch competition, they collaborated to amplify Rebecca’s narrative. Together, they crafted a compelling story that not only showcased Rebecca’s artistic talents but also emphasized the cultural significance and healing power embedded in her creations.
Exploring the rest of the solstice
After the competition, Ana and Monika took some time to explore and appreciate the rest of the Summer Solstice Festival. The festival grounds at Mādahòki Farm
were filled with activity, showcasing Indigenous artisans and their crafts, from traditional moccasins to contemporary beaded jewelry and artwork. The festival’s atmosphere resonated with stories, songs, dances and other celebrations of Indigenous culture. Take a look below!
