Two NWT artists have come via a discipline of greater than 2,400 candidates to achieve the semi-finals of Pow Wow Pitch, a nationwide contest for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The semi-finals, which start in September, nonetheless function greater than 120 artists in 12 classes starting from client and inventive industries to companies and non-profits.
Those that advance to the finals can be competing for a grand prize of $25,000 meant to assist develop their enterprise.
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Tuktoyaktuk’s Christina King, identified by her Inuit identify Taalrumiq, is a semi-finalist within the trend design class. Her enterprise, additionally below the identify Taalrumiq, options an Inuvialuit couture trend label, Inuit wonderful artwork and consultancy .
Creating digital content material on the likes of TikTok and offering cultural training within the type of workshops, cultural displays and public talking, Taalrumiq says she has been stitching her entire life.
“My earliest reminiscences are of my mum making my very own stitching package for me. I simply knew that I at all times needed to be an artist and dressmaker, and I’m lastly at that stage in my life the place issues are occurring and I’m capable of do the work that I really like,” she mentioned.
Taalrumiq was “fairly nervous” about responding to Pow Wow Pitch’s name for Indigenous entrepreneurs to ship movies explaining their enterprise and what they’d do with the grand prize.
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If she had been to win the $25,000, she says she would use the cash to develop a brand and luxurious model packaging, construct an internet site and buy any mandatory gear she must proceed creating.
“I’m working to only get my identify on the market, get extra initiatives, present providers, and this looks as if a great way to do it. And to win the grand prize could be wonderful to assist me proceed doing what I like to do,” she informed Cabin Radio.
Tanis Simpson, initially from Sachs Harbour, now runs Qiviut Inc from Edmonton. The second semi-finalist with an NWT background, Simpson has been processing qiviut yarn, created from the undercoat of muskox, since she was a younger baby.
In 2019, she opened a fibre mill the place she processes the yarn and makes the likes of scarves, neck heaters, toques and fingerless gloves.
Being one in every of few qiviut fibre mills in Canada, Simpson determined to use to Pow Wow Pitch figuring out she produces a novel product.
For 1000’s of years, she says, Inuit folks have lined their mitts and footwear with the fibre to outlive one of many world’s coldest climates.
Simpson says if she wins the $25,000, she’ll use it to supply environmentally pleasant packaging for the handwarmers she makes, that are presently offered in plastic baggage. She’ll additionally make investments some cash in Qivuit Inc’s advertising and its manufacturing methods.
Pow Wow Pitch says its semi-finals can be broadcast on-line from September 6-16 at 4pm each day, with viewers capable of register to look at enterprise house owners’ pitches.
Simpson’s pitch can be broadcast on September 7 and Taalrumiq’s on September 9.
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