The second annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards announced winners last week, including Mohawk artist DJ Shub. The event, held by the non-profit organization Pow Wow Pitch, recognizes and encourages the entrepreneurial spirit of Indigenous peoples, as well as celebrates Indigenous excellence.
DJ Shub received the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) Creative Award, along with a $10,000 prize. This isn’t the only accolade he’s received this year either, as he’s still coming off winning a Juno Award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year.
Bobbie Racette, Founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, is another one of this year’s winners. Racette is a Cree-Métis woman who prides herself on inclusivity, whether it be of gender, sexuality, or race. Her company has over 40 employees and supports over 650 virtual assistants. On the subject of Indigenous representation in the workplace, Racette noted “I want a future with diversity and representation across all sectors. My challenge to everyone is to set and meet targets for hiring Indigenous people. Just imagine the impact if everyone did this,”.
You can find a full list of winners below:
Bobbie Racette, Founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus (Calgary, AB) – RBC Entrepreneurial Icon Award Winner
Justin Gladue, Founder and CEO of Atlantic Fence Alberta Inc. (Edmonton, AB) – RBC Rising Star Award Winner
Jeff Ward, Founder and CEO of Animikii (Victoria, BC) – Mastercard Game Changer Award Winner
Carol Anne Hilton, Founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute (Vancouver, BC) – Mastercard Game Changer Award Winner
Michaelee Lazore, Founder and CEO of Sequoia Soaps (QC) – Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner
Jacob Faithful, Founder and CEO of Young Spirit Supplies (Frog Lake, AB) – Shopify Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner
Clarissa Cruz, Founder and CEO of Bare Body Sugaring (Nelson House, MB) – Meta Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner
Trisha Pitura, Founder and CEO of MINI TIPI (Gatineau, QC) – EDC Entrepreneurial Leader Award Winner
Dan General, Founder and CEO of DJShub Inc. (Fort Erie, ON) – ITAC Creative Award Winner
Congratulations to all of the winners from all of us at ELMNT FM.
Image Credit: Pow Wow Pitch