[Press Release] An Indigenous entrepreneur from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB), selected from more than 2,000 applications for a chance to win $25,000
On July 31st, 2023, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced Levi Wild, Co-Founder and President of Children Of The North Project Corp. (“COTN Project”), from the Métis Nation of Alberta and a Passpasschase Cree, as a 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalist. Levi was selected from more than 2,000 applications and is advancing as a Semi-Finalist for a chance to win $25,000 to grow COTN Project.
Levi submitted a 1-minute video pitch online in June to raise funds to support business development and partnership building.
“I’ve wanted to apply to Pow Wow Pitch for a couple of years now as I love the mission of supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island,” said Levi Wild, Co-Founder and President of Children Of The North Project Corp. “The impact of Pow Wow Pitch will be priceless to my business as the support of world-class organizations and new connections with other business owners alone will catapult the company to another level.”
Levi’s business, COTN Project, is a project management, grant writing, and consulting services company focused on helping Indigenous communities in Treaty 6 & 8 install renewable technologies to gain energy independence. Founded in 2021, the organization will help at each step of the project, from system design, acquiring funding, hiring subcontractors, and training members in the community to maintain the infrastructure. COTN Project’s vision is to see Indigenous communities lead the clean energy transition so they can provide clean water, healthcare, education, food sovereignty, economic prosperity, and more for their nations.
“Congratulations to Levi on advancing to the Semi-Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We look forward to spotlighting and sharing Levi’s business with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing together.”
If awarded the Pow Wow Pitch prize money, COTN Project would be given the time to finalize partnerships and initial projects in planning. As a primarily relationship-building business, the reward would allow COTN Project to continue working personally with Indigenous communities to develop long-term solutions while finding partners who share a similar vision to help complete projects.
Levi will now benefit from expert pitch training and one-to-one mentorship with Industry leaders. Levi will pitch their business to a panel of Judges in the early Fall Semi-Finals and, if successful, will win $1,000 and advance to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000.
“I am proud to operate an Indigenous-owned business that moves our communities forward. As an Indigenous entrepreneur, I feel a deep-rooted desire to develop an impact-driven business that believes in a better planet for all,” said Levi. “Being a part of this program is another expression of a Cree Natural Law, Wahkohtowin, meaning ‘everything is related.’ An Indigenous economy understands we share this world with everything, and there is no such thing as infinite growth without infinite consequences. It’s an economy that sees organizations work together to create solutions that benefit everyone, eliminating the winner-takes-all mentality of colonial business.”
To Interview Levi Wild, email: president@cotnproject.com or call (780) 499-0819.