New actuality present goals to ‘feed the spirit’ of Indigenous enterprise
Although she did not win, Edmonton-based entrepreneur Mallory Yawnghwe stated her time on the APTN actuality present Bears’ Lair was a life-changing expertise.
“It is fairly unbelievable to see area was made for us as Indigenous entrepreneurs to actually showcase what we’re doing for our neighborhood,” Yawnghwe stated in an interview with CBC’s Radio Energetic.
The present started airing final Sunday. Every episode options three totally different companies pitching their services or products to the “bears” or 5 totally different established Indigenous professionals for an opportunity to win funding from a pool of $180,000 and mentorship alternatives from the bears.
“I believe one thing like this was lengthy overdue,” Yawnghwe stated.
The present was the brainchild of advocate and entrepreneur Geena Jackson from the Frog Clan of the shíshálh Nation in B.C.
The present’s web site describes desirous to be a platform “to feed the spirit of Indigenous enterprise throughout the nation.”
LISTEN | Indigenous entrepreneurs Mallory Yawnghwe and Matt Lapointe discuss to CBC’s Radio Energetic about their expertise being on an Indigenous-led enterprise actuality TV present.
Radio Energetic9:20New enterprise competitors present places the highlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs
We meet two contestants from the very first episode of Bears Lair.
Yawnghwe, a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, runs a subscription field service Indigenous Field Inc. It goals to assist individuals uncover different Indigenous companies by providing a pattern of assorted merchandise for subscribers.
Yawnghwe and two different companies had been on the present’s first episode.
The winner was Métis-business proprietor Matt Lapointe, who runs Alberta K9 out of Gull Lake, Alta. 40 kilometres north of Crimson Deer. Lapointe used his expertise as a retired officer with the RCMP and Blood Tribe Police Service to begin a program to breed, elevate and prepare canines for detection providers.
The group was in a position to take dwelling $10,000 and say for the reason that episode aired, they’ve already obtained extra calls from individuals trying to make use of their providers.
“I noticed the necessity for our detection canines in communities to assist them cease our individuals from dying,” Lapointe stated about making an attempt to empower Indigenous communities to forestall drug poisoning deaths by way of drug detection.
Lapointe additionally stated he would not consider it if somebody informed a youthful model of himself that he can be working everywhere in the world to coach sniffer canines.
However now he hopes the present turns into a catalyst for others to aspire to their goals.
“If the present can simply encourage one new Indigenous entrepreneur then it was completely value it for all of us,” Lapointe stated.
Métis entrepreneur Jason Lizotte got here onto the present to develop consciousness of his product.
Lizotte is a welder by commerce and determined to create a transportable, automated, solar-powered hand-wash station after noticing it was powerful to discover a place to scrub his arms after fuelling up his truck throughout work.
The Grande Prairie entrepreneur noticed that want prolonged past his state of affairs. He created the hand-wash station to assist individuals keep hygienic in the course of the pandemic.
“It’s totally kids pleasant, incapacity pleasant, with the pandemic … no one needs to the touch something anymore,” Lizotte stated throughout an interview with CBC’s Edmonton AM.
LISTEN | Métis entrepreneur talks to CBC’s Edmonton AM about why it was essential to be on Bears’ Lair
5:33Grande Prairie tales
We’re exploring tales from the Peace Area. One entrepreneur is making waves after making a solar-powered handwashing station. Jason Lizotte is Métis from Grande Prairie, and the CEO and founding father of Nipiy Industries. His invention has caught the attention of an Indigenous actuality TV present.
The product has been in growth since 2019 when Lizotte began tinkering with creating the hand-wash station in his storage.
The stations have been offered to a wide range of communities, tourism websites, and commerce reveals. It is also been used throughout festivals.
Lizotte stated among the finest components of being on the present was the neighborhood assist.
“It’s totally uplifting for the Indigenous entrepreneurs on the market to be showcased on a TV present like this.”
Lizotte stated he’s excited for individuals throughout Canada to find Indigenous expertise. He’s set to look on an episode to air on October 2nd.
Bears’ Lair has been greenlit for a second season.