Local Indigenous Business Owner Semi-Finalist in Pow Wow Pitch
/Dominique O'Bonsawin, owner of cedarlilie a beadwork and craft supply shop, is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch. Pow Wow Pitch is a a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.
Dominique O’Bonsawin and her dog Cedar. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin
O'Bonsawin is of both French-Canadian and Abenaki heritage and started learning beadwork about five years ago while attending university in Ottawa.
“It was an important part of me reconnecting to my community and the larger Indigenous community in Canada,” she said.
As she gained interest in the craft she began to notice a lack of Indigenous owned bead stores in the country. She began to buy beads in bulk for her own use and selling any extras she had.
“I started running out of beads and realized this was a market I could tap into,” she said. “Before I knew it I had to make my own website.”
O'Bonsawin has now been selling beads and craft supplies for about a year and a half.
An example of Dominique O’Bonsawin’s beading. These pieces were completed along with her mother and sister. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin.
The Pow Wow Pitch competition is for Indigenous entrepreneurs across North America. It shines a light on vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level.
This year, more than 1,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses online for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000.
O'Bonsawin was one of those entrepreneurs and was surprised to find that she was chosen as a semi-finalist.
“I had a few people reach out to me and tell me to apply, but I didn’t think I was there yet. I’m still kind of figuring out this whole thing,” she said.
“All we had to do was submit a one minute video of what we would do with the money if we were to win,” she said. “It caught and I thought ‘okay this is for real now’.”
Of the over 1600 entries there are 156 semi-finalists who now must pitch their business plan live to a board of panelists.
O'Bonsawin is also eligible to win the peoples choice award, which would send her straight to the finals. The peoples choice award is based on the amount of votes a contestant receives, anyone is welcome to participate in voting.
More beadwork by Dominique O’Bonsawin.
