The Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs (IYE) Program at Two Rivers Community Development Centre proudly celebrated the success of 13 Indigenous youth-owned businesses at the 2026 Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow.

Throughout the weekend, youth entrepreneurs welcomed hundreds of visitors to the IYE vendor tent, showcasing a diverse range of products including beadwork, jewellery, stained glass, custom apparel, ribbon skirts, handmade gifts, artwork, crocheted items, and other Indigenous creations.

For several participants, this was their first experience selling at a major Pow Wow. Before the event, each business took part in an IYE Vendor Success Workshop to prepare for the weekend and received guidance on vendor setup, customer service, product displays, and marketing. During the event, the IYE team remained on-site to provide support, answer questions, and encourage participants as they gained valuable real-world business experience.

The shared vendor space fostered a strong sense of community among the entrepreneurs. Participants supported one another throughout the weekend by sharing ideas, helping with booth setups, watching each other’s tables during breaks, and celebrating each other’s successes.

Beyond generating sales and building customer connections, the event also served as an opportunity to inspire future entrepreneurs. Hundreds of Pow Wow visitors stopped by the IYE tent to learn more about the businesses and discover the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs Program. Several youth expressed interest in entrepreneurship, and new contacts were added to the IYE mailing list.

Participant feedback highlighted increased confidence, new business opportunities, stronger customer connections, and valuable networking with fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs. Many shared that the experience motivated them to continue growing their businesses and participate in future markets.

The Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs Program continues to create opportunities for Indigenous youth to learn, connect, and grow their businesses through training, mentorship, and real-world business experiences.

If you are an Indigenous youth between the ages of 18 and 39 who is interested in starting or growing a business, we encourage you to connect with the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs Program at Two Rivers Community Development Centre to learn more about available training, mentorship, and financing opportunities.