Shows
Venture OutLes Walker is building new spaces to lead and grow in the NorthMeet Les Walker: Owner and CEO of Walker Home Construction in Whitehorse, Yukon, and a proud member of Champaign Aishihik First Nation.Les’s journey is one of transformation; from early challenges to building a thriving construction company that creates more than homes and community spaces. At the heart of his business is a powerful philosophy: cultivating warriors within our community. This commitment shines through in his workforce, where the majority of staff are First Nation citizens, and in the leadership he demonstrates every day.With national recognition - including the NACA Indigenous Business Award of...
2025-09-2543 min
Venture OutSiku Rojas is creating value, beauty, and community in real-timeMeet Siku Rojas, the creative force behind Yurak - a painter, printmaker, illustrator, jewellery maker, and learning tattooist based in Iqaluit, NU. From a young age, Siku has used art to explore identity, culture, and belonging. Their work often weaves in tunniit (Inuit tattoos), depictions of Inuit culture, queer relationships, and the lived experiences of being a mixed-race Indigenous youth. Through their practice, Siku offers bold and beautiful visual representations of genderfluid and queer Inuit stories.But Siku’s path is not only about art; it’s about entrepreneurship. As a full-time artist and alum of the Digita...
2025-09-2448 min
Venture OutLeela Gilday is redefining the 'art of business' through musicMeet our friend and powerhouse artist, Leela Gilday: an award-winning singer-songwriter whose music carries the heart of the North. A proud member of the Dene Nation, Leela weaves stories of land, people, and journey into songs that feel like home to Northerners, and offer a doorway into the North for everyone else.But Leela’s story isn’t just about music; it’s about entrepreneurship. Over more than 20 years, she has built a sustainable career as an independent artist, touring internationally, winning JUNO Awards, and proving that artists can thrive on their own terms. From navigating the busine...
2025-09-2347 min
The Future Skills PodcastS5 Ep. 05 - Learning from One Another: Skills, Training, and Workforce Development in Northern CommunitiesIn this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores the complex and evolving landscape of skills development and workforce training in Northern and Indigenous communities. Amanda Thompson from The Conference Board of Canada shares insights from the Learning from One Another project, a multi-year initiative examining labour market trends and training strategies across Yukon, Nunavut, and Northern Ontario. We also hear from Kris Mullaly of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, who discusses the Q-STEP program and Tuttarvik—community-driven initiatives that are empowering Inuit youth through culturally grounded training and employment supports. Finally, Xina Cowan of EntrepreNorth highlights ho...
2025-09-1726 min
Venture OutAllison Kormendy is supporting her community’s health and wellbeing through her businessMeet Allison Kormendy: the owner of Wild Roots grew up in Dawson City, Yukon, a small Northern town of less than 1,500 people. She is Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in from her father’s side and Yupik from her mother’s.One of Wild Roots’ main purposes is to bring First Nations Traditions and values to the forefront of wellbeing. To intertwine modern day sciences with traditional knowledge to create stronger individuals and therefore stronger communities. Through her small batch food and plant medicines, Allison is connecting to her culture and helping her community heal physically and...
2024-06-2149 min
Venture OutAngela Code is empowering women to find their strength on the landMeet Angela Code: a Sayisi Dene | Dënesųłıné hunter, hide tanner, land-based educator, filmmaker, and facilitator from Tadoule Lake - a remote northern community in Manitoba. Angela has lived in the Yukon for many years and this is where she operates her business, Dene Cha'niyé - Indigenous Cultural Contracting. Dene Cha'niyé is Dënesųłıné for “our code of ethics” or “our set of morals” or “our culture, our way of being and knowing.” Angela loves her culture and being out on the land, and through her business she creates opportunities for others - especially women - to find that love too.
2024-02-0752 min
Venture OutGwich'in changemaker Jordan Peterson is sharing the art of negotiating with Northern communitiesMeet Jordan Peterson: A disruptor, systems thinker, and entrepreneur from Aklavik, Northwest Territories.Jordan is the CEO of Affinity North: an Indigenous-owned consultancy dedicated to empowering communities and fostering sustainable growth. With a deep understanding of Indigenous culture and values, Affinity North specializes in negotiations, policy, governance, and strategic planning. By prioritizing cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity, the consultancy develops tailor-made solutions that create lasting positive impacts.As a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities, Jordan has a strong background in leadership and negotiation. He has held significant roles, such as the elected Deputy Gr...
2023-11-1556 min
The Finance CafeThe Trauma of MoneyIn this episode Shannon sits down with Chantel Chapman, the CEO and co-founder of the Trauma of Money, to discuss how trauma affects the mind and in turn affects our relationship with money and financial wealth. The Trauma of Money is an accredited course certifying professionals in trauma-aware and trauma-informed approaches to finance. Drawing influence from 14 years of experience as a mortgage broker, 10 years as a financial literacy consultant, and extensive research in addiction, behavioral science, trauma, community economic development, and mindfulness, Chantel is renowned for her cutting-edge, relatable, and trauma-informed money guidance. Chantel has taught and written personal...
2023-10-0837 min
Venture OutJennifer Lindell's hair salon centres the beauty of Inuit valuesMeet Jennifer: An award-winning Inuk entrepreneur, hairstylist, and mother from Iqaluit, NU. Jenn is the Owner of Jenn 87 Hairstyling: Iqaluit's only Inuit-owned hair salon that offers clients a truly unique experience and sense of community. Jenn fell in love with hairstyling as a teenager and it's been her career passion ever since. Over the years, she's built a thriving business that models her cultural teachings and the values of respect and generosity that she was raised with.The salon is a space where clients come to feel beautiful and to feel at home. Inuit art a...
2023-10-0359 min
Venture OutMisty Ireland is carrying the spirit of plants forwardMeet Misty: An Intuitive Entrepreneur who is Dehcho Dene from Tthek'éhsehdélı̨ First Nation (Jean Marie River) in the Northwest Territories.Misty is the Owner of Dene Roots, which promotes the power of Dene Science and offers products for those seeking deeper spiritual connections, balance, and wellbeing. For over 15 years she's been creating smokeless smudge sprays that can be used anywhere and blend traditional medicines like spruce root, juniper berry, and sage.Misty is also a Reiki Master and Life Coach. Last year, she made the bold decision to combine her gifts and jump into...
2023-07-121h 03The Finance CafeWomen's Entrepreneurship in the NorthIn this episode Shannon sits down with Xina Cowan, Co-director, EntrepreNorth to discuss what it means to be culturally grounded as an organization, how we can close the wealth gap and empower Indigenous women entrepreneurs, challenges faced by Indigenous women entrepreneurs in the North, the need for relationship-based patient capital that aligns with Indigenous values, and how indigenous women are reclaiming their power and place.
Xina lives and works in Whitehorse on the traditional territories of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Her ancestry is Irish, Scottis...
2023-06-2538 min
Venture OutJoella Hogan is telling a different story through businessMeet Joella: A Northern Tutchone entrepreneur who connects people to culture and to land. She also happens to be an EntrepreNorth cohort alum and our first guest on S2 of Venture Out!In 2012, Joella stepped into entrepreneurship and purchased an existing soap business in the Yukon. She named it The Yukon Soaps Company and turned it into a community-building, language-learning, earth-connecting hub in her home town of Mayo.For Joella, entrepreneurship is a way to promote language ("if we don't use it, we're going to lose it") and uplift Indigenous young people in meaningful ways...
2023-06-211h 04
Weird FinanceThe Trauma of Money with Chantel ChapmanIn this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Chantel Chapman about how trauma manifests our behaviors with their money, how our society has become more open about talking about trauma, the pillars of the Trauma of Money program, and how to start on a journey of healing.
Chantel Chapman (@chantelchapman) is the CEO and co-founder of the Trauma of Money - an accredited course certifying professionals in trauma-aware and trauma-informed approaches to finance. Drawing influence from 14 years of experience as a mortgage broker, ten years as a financial literacy consultant, and extensive research in addiction, behavioral...
2023-04-0253 min
Venture OutBobbi Rose Koe is making big waves with her guiding businessMeet Bobbi Rose: a Gwich'in tourism entrepreneur and certified paddling guide who bravely launched her business Dinjii Zhuh Adventures in the Spring of 2021.Bobbi has a deep love for the land and people she comes from and is an active protector of the Peel Watershed. She's passionate about sharing this love with Indigenous communities, youth, and visitors whom she takes on customized paddling trips. Bobbi (an alum of our 2019-2020 Tourism Cohort) is also a natural leader who is supporting Indigenous youth to become certified guides and stewards of the land. This is her calling, and she's...
2022-02-1059 min
Venture OutJamie Wetrade-Stevenson turns up the heat with Northern BoudoirMeet Jamie: a 22 year-old Tłı̨chǫ Photographer who has brought the sensual art of boudoir to the Northwest Territories in a big way. She got her business license at 18 and has since built a highly successful company that helps clients to overcome their fears, step into their courage, and embrace their unique, sexy beauty. Jamie herself has overcome a lot and is proof that young people can do incredible things.In this episode, you'll also meet Sahtúgot'ı̨nę entrepreneur Jennie Vandermeer, who was Jamie's first boudoir client of 2021.Follow Jamie on Instagram | @jamiestevensonboudoir & @jamiestevensonphotograhyThi...
2021-12-0953 min
Venture OutRosalind Mercredi's gallery invites everyone to get creativeMeet Rosalind: a former government director who became a full-time artist and entrepreneur in her fifties. She is the Owner of the beloved Down to Earth Gallery, which carries pieces from over 140 artists located across the territories. It's situated in Yellowknife's iconic Old Town and it's a hub for events, annual shows and creative encounters. For Ros, the real magic of her business comes from the 'Down to Earth family' who makes it possible for Northern artists and locals to come together and build community.At the end of this episode, you'll also meet Tłı̨chǫ artist Viol...
2021-10-0451 min
Venture OutKatie Johnson honours the art of gatheringMeet Katie: a bridge builder and visionary who's in the business of creating transformative experiences for people all across the Yukon. She is the Owner of Bella Elite Events and Consulting and the Co-Founder of the Adäka Cultural Festival. Katie is Southern Tutchone from Kluane First Nation, and in her language 'Adäka' means "coming into the light." This message embodies the path that Katie is on as a business owner and mother. Whether she's hosting a community forum or producing a performing arts mentorship program, she operates from a place of service and integrity; recognizing that her wo...
2021-08-1253 min
DisruptorsLeaders of Tomorrow: How Indigenous Youth Can Seize the Digital DayTo learn more about the Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Technology, click here. And to find out more about EntrepreNorth, follow this link. (The work of EntrepreNorth is supported, in part, by the RBC Foundation.)In his segment, Jarret referenced a photo series he was a part of titled “Concrete Indians”; to see the photos, check out his website. Benjamin, in his segment, mentioned a new podcast that EntrepreNorth has launched called Venture Out. You can listen to it here or wherever you get your podcasts.The report referenced from the RBC Economics and Thought Lead...
2021-07-1328 min
Venture OutNooks Lindell owns his story and styleMeet Nooks: an Inuk artist, ulu-maker and entrepreneur who sees the world in full colour from his home in Arviat, NU. He is the Lead Designer and Co-Owner of Hinaani Design: an Inuit apparel brand founded by a collective of creatives from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Nooks wears his heart and culture on his sleeve and leans on his love of making to heal and resist. For many years, he struggled to find pride in his own skin. Today, he has a new appreciation for his journey and infuses meaning and purpose into everything he designs.
2021-06-2459 min
Venture OutLeena Evic answered the knock on the doorMeet Leena: a remarkable Inuk business woman who has dedicated her career to language, culture and wellbeing. She is the President and Founder of the Pirurvik Centre: a beautiful school nestled in the heart of Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit. Pirurvik is a social enterprise that serves Inuit students, and while it is now an internationally renowned place of learning, Leena will tell you that it started as a tiny seed in a galaxy far away. She has many gifts, and one of them is making the seemingly impossible possible.In this episode, you’ll also...
2021-05-2553 min
Venture OutTania Larsson defies 'business as usual'Meet Tania: a Gwich’in fine jeweller and hide tanner who designs exquisite adornments now worn by customers all over the world and featured in publications like Vogue. Tania is committed to operating her business differently, and she surrounds herself with innovative thinkers who encourage her to push the entrepreneurial envelope. One of her greatest sources of strength is her Mentor, Keri Ataumbi of Ataumbi Metals. Keri was Tania’s instructor at the prestigious IAIA (Institute of American Indian Arts) and after much vetting accepted Tania as her apprentice. Today, these two jewellers are like sisters and continue to elev...
2021-05-251h 06
Venture OutIntroducing: Venture OutListen to our season 1 trailer and discover some of the remarkable entrepreneurs we're profiling in this series! Venture Out’s guests are born storytellers and creators, and we know you’ll enjoy visiting with them. Featured guests in this trailer include Tania Larsson, Leena Evic, Nooks Lindell, and Kalina Newmark.To listen and learn more, visit www.entreprenorth.ca.
2021-05-2503 min
Lunchtime NewsOctober 10, 2019: A larger LargaEmelie Peacock reports on trouble finding beds for medical travellers at Yellowknife's Larga Kitikmeot as surrounding hotels book up, plus Entreprenorth launches a new program designed to help Indigenous tour operators thrive.
2019-10-1520 min