Providing $50,000 in collaborative grants and prizes to boost Indigenous arts and tourism
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced a new partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) as a Silver Partner for its 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Program.
Set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2022 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support, ITAC’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to scale its virtual programs for creative and tourism entrepreneurs, re-enter communities with on-the-ground support across Canada.
ITAC will support a Virtual Creative Pitch, providing $2,500 grants, mentorship and training to ten creative Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada to commission mini-projects showcasing Indigenous-owned tourism businesses. The ten creative entrepreneurs will pitch to win the Creative Prize, a $15,000 grant for a larger commissioned Tourism project with ITAC, and to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finale for a chance to win the $25,000 Grand Prize. In addition, ITAC will present the Creative Award at the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, providing the winner with a $10,000 Prize.
“We are thrilled to welcome ITAC into the Pow Wow Pitch family and join together to help shine the spotlight and provide innovative support to Indigenous creative and tourism entrepreneurs and businesses across Canada,” said Sunshine Tenasco, the Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “The partnership is an example of what can happen when Indigenous-led organizations collaborate, co-create and build capacity in the Indigenous-led economy in our own way.”
“We are so pleased to work with the Indigenous-led team at Pow Wow Pitch to provide important support to creative and tourism entrepreneurs,” said Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC. “As we begin our recovery for the Indigenous tourism industry, it is critical we include Indigenous creators to bring our vibrant Indigenous cultures to life from coast to coast to coast.”