#1: Decolonizing your Brand: 

Facilitators: Robyn Ferguson and Melaina Goos, pipikwan pêhtâkwan

Robyn and Melaina will dive deep into values, ethics, symbolism and storytelling in this custom workshop. By embracing Indigenous storytelling, pipikwan pehtakwan will guide workshop participants through a short exercise to begin uncovering your brand. From there, we will discuss how colour, symbolism and storytelling is used in graphic design to provide Indigenous organizations and people with brands that are authentic, meaningful, and memorable.

#2: Ribbon Skirt Cultural Teaching

Facilitator: Alexa Lizotte; Desert Métis Creations

Join Métis artist and entrepreneur, Alexa Lizotte, as she dives into stories of the ribbon skirt and the importance it holds in Métis communities. Alexa will take you on her journey as an entrepreneur who has had ribbon skirts and beadwork as her anchor through the years. Alongside stories, participants will be engaging with the teachings to make a doll-sized ribbon skirt in this workshop.  

#3: Building an Innovative Business and a Healthy Mindset

Facilitator: Lindsay Beaulieu;  I Love Microgreens

Innovative and inspirational Métis businesswomen Lindsay Beaulieu will share her unique cultural journey and entrepreneurial lessons in this interactive workshop. Lindsay’s experience in building I love Microgreens will provide the foundation for this workshop with lessons on how to think and brainstorm innovatively, pivot when necessary and face competition confidently while maintaining an attitude of abundance. A healthy mindset is the foundation for genuine entrepreneurial innovation and this workshop will discuss how to build a resilient approach to business that includes tapping into Métis cultural strengths such as sharing, creativity, and tenacity.

#4: How to turn art into an Income Stream

Facilitator: Krista Leddy; beaded chickadee

Join an experienced Métis entrepreneur as she shares her journey as a successful multifaceted businesswoman. In this interactive and relaxed workshop, Krista Leddy of beaded chickadee will share her journey of turning art in to a successful income stream with practical and helpful lessons including discussions on what is art; marketing with social media; connecting with wholesalers; understanding quality; finding support (financial and other); work-life balance; finding your own voice; and mistakes made and lessons learned.