Join us for conversations with Indigenous creatives and entrepreneurs about finding success in the digital space. Talks will take place live on Zoom where you will have the opportunity to listen and ask questions about the experiences and expertise of the panelists.

This 3-part series is tailored towards Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs. It is free to attend.

Indigenous Entrepreneurship Online

Indigenous Entrepreneurship for Artists Series 1/3
Monday May 10 at 7pm ET

Discussing why you take your work online and where to put it. Looking at how Indigenous creatives are selling their work online from individual artists and small businesses.

This week we are joined by:

Sunshine (Quem) Tenasco - Her Braids and Powwow Pitch
Stephanie Peltier – Deliaestelle Designs
Jennifer Harper - Cheekbone Beauty

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Panelist bios:

Sunshine Tenasco

Sunshine Tenasco is a First Nations mommy of four funny kids from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.

She is a social entrepreneur and author who believes that business is an exciting place where people can create positive change.

Sunshine launched Her Braids in 2015,  which is a business that aims to create awareness about the issues of clean drinking water in First Nations communities through beaded pendants, workshops and her children's book, “Nibi’s Water Song”.  Her Braids has committed to donating 10% of their profits to the David Suzuki Foundations, The Blue Dot movement.

She is also the CEO of Pow Wow Pitch, which aims to give Indigenous entrepreneurs the platform to showcase their entrepreneurial endeavors and a chance to win start-up cash and mentorship.  Sunshine hopes to help cultivate the culture of entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities.

Jenn Harper

An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC.  Cheekbone Beauty is a digitally native direct to consumer brand that is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of a circular economy in the brands ethos and in developing their latest line of products.  Creating a new segment in the beauty industry - Sustainable Socially Conscious Beauty. 

Jennifer Harper has been making a name for herself in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/m_pitches/cheekbone-beauty . Cheekbone Beauty is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand.

During the development of Cheekbone Beauty, Jenn researched the current makeup landscape as well as charities that are helping close the educational funding gap that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. After in depth research, the Cheekbone team found the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (FNCFCS) and the connection between their mission and Jenn’s family experience was serendipitous.

Cheekbone Beauty continues to support the FNCFCS today by donating 10% of the profits to Shannen’s Dream. During Cheekbone’s infancy, Jenn endured a heavy personal loss with the suicide of her brother B.J. This loss, though difficult, has remained a driving force behind the desire to see Cheekbone Beauty succeed with its mission, to empower Indigenous youth.

In addition to Cheekbone’s mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on my family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. She has also been invited to speak to various entrepreneur groups, women in business associations, Apple Canada and First Nations organizations.

In 2019, Jenn was named ‘Women of the Year’ by Chatelaine Magazine.  https://www.chatelaine.com/living/jennifer-harper-woman-of-the-year-2019/

Stephanie Peltier

Stephanie Peltier is a Francophone First Nations (Ojibway/Odawa/Potawatomi) Artist from Wikwemikong. Stephanie has created beadwork since 2014 and her jewelry has been worn by several well-known individuals across the world and has facilitated workshops with the help of her unique Beginner Beading Kit.

A note from the artist: I believe my passion comes from my “late” grandmother (Delia) who is known for quilting and making beautiful pieces out of sweet grass. Delia was a sewing goddess followed by my other grandmother (Estelle) who's owned a seamstress shop for over 40 years. I believe I have received a beautiful gift from both. I have been a vendor at various craft shows and I enjoy the reactions of the community when seeing my beadwork. It’s an opportunity for them to feel and see the detail of each piece.