Episode 1
Conversation with Entrepreneur Lisa Walker | Lisa Beading
Instagram: @lisa.beading
lisa.beading is handmade one of a kind beadwork made in small batches by mixed Indigenous Haisla/british artist Lisa Walker. Lisa works from her home on unceded Kwikwetlem territories, and was born in Kitimat BC. Beading is her main source of income, and is a real attempt at decolonizing her life. Beading is medicine for her, as well as a way to learn her language by naming each piece with a Haislakala word. She hopes by wearing her artwork you feel the energy and intention that goes into each piece that is slowly created over many hours.
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/RnmNAY50Sxo
Episode 2
Conversation with Entrepreneur Jeff Ward | Founder & CEO, Animikii
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jeffkward
Jeff founded Animikii in 2003 and has orchestrated and managed its growth ever since. Everything Jeff does in business is geared towards uplifting his family, communities and Indigenous Peoples. He is Ojibwe and Métis, originally from Manitoba, and now lives and works in Victoria, BC on Lekwungen territory. Jeff is a web designer, software developer, author, and speaker. He also serves as board member for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).
“It’s an exciting time for the Indigenous movement. We’ve begun a new era of indigenous-settler relations and the long journey towards Reconciliation has just begun. Each and every one of us, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, has been called upon to honour the past, to do better, and to rise up. Warriors everywhere are rising up in the fight for equitable outcomes for Indgiensou people. We at Animikii believe that our call-to-action is to support all of these warriors in their journey by using the tools available to us. Our answer to that call, our weapon and tool of choice, is technology.”
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/vkCzu-pxSRI
Episode 3
Conversation with Entrepreneur Gail Murray | Vero Management
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-murray-34b7305a/
Gail is registered Metis and a lifelong advocate for all Indigenous people. In 2008, Gail was honoured by being adopted into the Haida Nation, specifically the Gidens of Skidegate (Eagle Clan). She was given the name Kuuya Jaad, meaning Precious Woman.
Gail Murray is the President and Founder of Vero Management Inc. Gail has dedicated her career to making a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people and communities by following her passion for Economic and Community Development, Education, Training and Financial Management. Gail has over 22 years of experience working directly with a variety of clients including, First Nations, Government and private Corporations.
She has held many positions of significant responsibility working as a senior leader in the private, non-profit, public sectors and Indigenous communities. She has created successful charities, not for profit societies and for profit ventures that have made a remarkable impact on local communities, the economy and society. She has led many organizations including multi-stakeholder committees, boards and other multi-organizational governance structures. Gail’s many years of experience has allowed her to strengthen her ability to achieve and deliver outstanding success for her clients within complex and diverse environments.
Gail maintains steady professional development by undertaking continuing studies in programs such as respectful workplace training, managing conflict, media relations and facilitator training. Her volunteer work includes sitting as the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for the Bill Reid Foundation.
Gail resides with her family on Vancouver Island.
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/BcMwFEZKRGg
Episode 4
Conversation with Entrepreneur Meeka Morgan| Meeka Noelle Consulting
Meeka Noelle Morgan was born and raised within Secwepemc and Nuu-Chah-Nulth lands, traditions and culture, but is also part St’atimc, and N’lakapamux. Surrounded by great orators and storytellers from both sides of her desert/rainforest family, as well as into a kaleidoscope of land defenders, activists, artists and musicians, she has been writing from as early as she could remember, and spent much time throughout her young life listening to stories and music shared with her family. This invoked an immensely curious nature about the significance of stories, music and creativity, and how they can transform and rebuild relationships. She wrote her Master’s thesis (SFU) on the impacts her father’s people and generation experienced: “Making Connections with Secwepemc Family Through Storytelling: A Journey in Transformative Rebuilding”, which further developed her work, focused on retelling history, and processing this experience through creativity. She founded an Indigenous music and arts collective, The Melawmen Collective, which is now a performing musical act, and is also Artistic Director of 2 Rivers Remix Festival, an All Indigenous Music and Arts Festival. She currently lives in sunny Ashcroft, with her husband, daughter and dog, and close to her adult son.
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/yXwclpi8A0k
Episode 5
Conversation with Entrepreneur Destinee Peter | Tangles Hair and Beauty
https://tangleshairandbeauty.com/
Instagram: @beauty.destinee
Destinee Peter has been the sole owner and operator of Tangles Hair & Beauty Salon since 2013 at the young age of 22. She has expanded her salon and team exponentially and rebranded in the 8 years of owning Tangles Salon. She now has a team of 6 employees offering a variety of different services such as haircuts and colours, eyelash extensions, laser services, microneedling and skin care. Tangles Salon was remodeled to be more modern and to bring in aspects of Indigenous culture. Destinee works hard and knows how important it is for her to be a positive role model for Indigenous youth and women.
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/9_zzy7yhA-8
Episode 6
Conversation with Entrepreneur Cody Isaac | North Okanagan Apparel
https://northokanaganapparel.com/
Facebook: @northokanaganapparel
We started North Okanagan Apparel in June of 2020... yes we started a business in a global pandemic. In the past few months we turned our basement operation into a full scale business. We wanted to deliver comfortable, high quality apparel to represent the okanagan. When we think of the Okanagan there is a feeling of happiness, comfort, and pride. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and we simply wanted to be able to share our passion of the Okanagan with everyone through different kinds of apparel. We both enjoy the outdoors, camping and traveling along with a variety of sports. We have a dog named Jake who comes with us everywhere we go. If you find dog hair he is the reason why, lol we apologize for that! Thank you for supporting our small business, we have so many more ideas and can't wait to share them with you!
Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/aATKZYSeYMY
Episode 7
Conversation with Entrepreneur Paul Natrall | Mr. Bannock
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/paul-natrall-78b3a55a
Paul Natrall is a second-generation chef and the founder of Mr. Bannock Indigenous Cuisine. A member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, his great-grandfather Andrew Natrall was a Red Seal chef trained in the army. Paul’s unique combinations of flavours and textures showcase ancient cooking methods such as stone baking, smoking, and curing of traditional ingredients, mixed with influences from other cuisines.
Paul has specialized in Indigenous fusion for over a decade, since attending a culinary program at Vancouver Community College in 2010. It was during the course’s two-month focus on classic French techniques that Paul experimented with traditional ingredients and familiarized himself with farms and smokehouses. He developed these skills further as a member of Aboriginal Team. Canada at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. Paul started his business in 2017, and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the BC Indigenous Business Awards in 2019. He is a board member of the Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations.
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Check out the Video here: https://youtu.be/HCnIKjwvvp8