Indigenous entrepreneur from Winnipeg, Manitoba, selected from more than 2,400 applications for a chance to win $25,000
On June 20, 2022, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced Kelly Kristin, Founder and Executive Director of the Indigenous Parents Community from the Shamattawa First Nation as a 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalist. Kelly was selected from more than 2,400 applications and is advancing to the Non-Profit Semi-Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her Non-Profit Organization.
Kelly submitted a 1-minute video pitch via TikTok and Instagram on June 14th, 2022 to raise funds to train the new Board of Directors, fund paid lawyer time, insurance and open an endowment fund with the Winnipeg Foundation for a scholarship
“I love to pitch, it’s a great skill set to have, but I also had this amazing helpful idea for Indigenous parents in my community,” said Kelly Kristin, Founder and Executive Director of the Indigenous Parents Community. “Being a part of the Pow Wow Pitch community has been a major boost in getting our name out there, people reaching out wanting to help and support our mission. It’s also been a pleasure to meet the other semi-finalists, making connections and overall building one another up. I love the digital atmosphere here, it’s so positive.”
Kelly’s non-profit, the Indigenous Parents Community, aims to aid Indigenous parents in overcoming their unique barriers they face in achieving a higher education of their own definition. IPC also offers personal and professional skill development, as well as leadership, mentorship and networking opportunities.
“Congratulations to Kelly on advancing to the Semi-Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We look forward to spotlighting and sharing Kelly’s business with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing together.”
Kelly will now benefit from expert pitch training and one-to-one mentorship with Industry leaders. Kelly will pitch their business to a panel of Judges in early Fall as part of the Non-Profit Semi-Finals and, if successful, will win $1,000 and advance to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000.
“I believe that having a space for other Indigenous parents who dream of a higher education is needed. We can be one anothes support network through shared experiences. The Indigenous community would benefit from seeing each other succeed and build one another up, I believe the future of the professional workforce is going to be Indigenous parents,” said Kelly. “Participating in Pow Wow Pitch and making it this far in the competition has been of massive value to getting our name out there and people asking who we are and what we do. I’ve met some amazing entrepreneurs and inspiration from their ideas, drive and determination. I love knowing that my daughter is watching closely, and I hope to inspire someone else who’s watching with an idea in their mind, and it gives the final push to take it from idea to reality. Pow Wow Pitch is an amazing opportunity for exactly that.”
To Interview Kelly Kristin, email:contact@kellykristin.ca or call 431-557-2329
