Indigenous Entrepreneur Conference

DOUG HAWKE: Visionary Distiller and Technical Mind behind Hawke Prohibition Distilleries

Douglas Hawke is the visionary distiller and technical mind behind Hawke Prohibition Distilleries, and he and his partner, Alana, make this a proudly Indigenous and female-owned Canadian distillery known for its unapologetically bold spirits and cutting-edge innovation. As co-founder and owner, Hawke is the head of production, bringing precision, creativity, and deep respect for tradition to every drop crafted in-house.

A skilled fabricator and lifelong builder, Hawke didn’t just dream up the distillery — he literally built it. He designed and constructed a one-of-a-kind continuous distillation system, engineered entirely in-house, that allows Hawke Prohibition to produce exceptionally smooth spirits with high efficiency and minimal waste — a rare feat in the small-batch world.

Hawke is a proud member of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation and deeply committed to honouring his heritage through the work he does — from sourcing local ingredients to mentoring the next generation of distillers and makers. His work blends old-world technique with modern ingenuity, making Hawke Prohibition Distilleries not just a brand, but a bold statement in Canadian craft spirits.

When he’s not in the distillery, you’ll find Hawke in the workshop, tinkering, tuning, or teaching — always hands-on, always forward-thinking. 

Website: https://www.hawkeprohibition.com/

Presentation Summary:

Doug Hawke will share his experience in the Indigenous Tourism industry and his journey as an Indigenous Tourism Alberta member and the Owner of Hawke Prohibition Distilleries. This session will highlight the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned in building a tourism-related business, while showcasing how local stories, culture, and unique experiences can help create meaningful connections with visitors.

WENDY POSELUZNY: Indigenous Business Owner and Métis Knowledge Keeper

Wendy Poseluzny, a Metis woman born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, moved to Alberta, birthing 2 boys, and married a Metis man. She has a passion and dedication to the beauty of Indigenous Culture and Art. Wendy shares her stories with people during gatherings, and although her story is much different from those of other brothers and sisters, she has stayed true to her roots.

Her store, Native Wild Trading Post, serves the Fort Saskatchewan and Spruce Grove, AB communities, and is heading for huge changes over the next couple of years. Purchasing Land near Wild Wood, AB, in 2020 to begin a cultural center with her family. Native Wild Trading Post is an Indigenous Trading Post that she shares with other artists to showcase their work. Truly a little gem that is one of a kind, unique, and authentic.  Her self-taught, dedicated quest is to ensure every fur product used for her work is hand-selected and certified humane. Advice from her elders, along with her heightened abilities to create magnificent pieces in her collections.

Wendy is committed to keeping the culture alive by teaching her knowledge to various schools and offering public workshops on the teachings of her work. Including tipi retreats for healing and cultural history.

Historical teachings, traditional tipi, glamping tipi retreats, cabin stays, trading post, and wilderness spa you don’t want to miss are held throughout the year at The Woods Experience, one hour west of Edmonton. Wendy also travels around Canada to share her teachings.

Wendy’s products have been featured in the historical gift shop in Fort Sask, AB, at the museum. She is also a designer for a fur company that private labels her pieces.

Wendy was featured in the Metis Magazine as an entrepreneur for her culture. Products are displayed in band offices and she has made products for a T.V. show. Her goal is to strengthen and enhance business relationships, give new opportunities to understand Aboriginal development, and provide continued support. The connections being built within the community will bring awareness and give opportunities to foster new relationships and progress for the future. With the love that the creator has given us, we are unstoppable!

Website: https://nativewild.ca/

CLAYTON DIDIER: Director of The Group, An Indigenous Creative Agency

Clayton Didier is Director at The Group, an Indigenous-owned brand strategy, identity, and creative agency working across the tourism and hospitality, real estate, economic development, non-profit, municipal, and wellness sectors. He has held this role for over 20 years, leading tourism consulting, brand development, creative management, and digital solutions for destinations and operators.

Grounded in a long-standing commitment to the tourism industry, The Group expanded into its own tourism operations in 2021–22 with the development of Pine Creek Retreat in Alberta’s Lakelands region. This move was driven by both a passion for the sector and a need to gain real-world operational experience to strengthen the agency’s advisory work. Pine Creek Retreat is a restored provincial historic property that now includes a retreat centre, lodge suites, a great room, and eight glass-front cabins designed for year-round stays. Building on this foundation, Clayton has led the development of new on-site experiences, including the Bear’s Ears all-terrain electric scooter experience, launched in 2024, with the Stopping House Restaurant and Café set to open in 2027.

Alongside operations, Clayton has overseen the development of The Core, an AI-enabled lead management and booking platform designed for small to mid-sized tourism businesses. The system has been tested and developed over the past three years at Pine Creek Retreat and across client projects, with a broader launch planned for fall 2026.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-didier-266a9616/

BLAINE MIRASTY: Destination and Commercial Development Manager for Travel Alberta

Blaine Mirasty is a Cree tourism entrepreneur and Indigenous economic development professional from the Flying Dust First Nation in northern Saskatchewan. He currently serves as Destination and Commercial Development Manager for Travel Alberta, where he leads partnerships with Indigenous communities, tourism operators, and economic development groups across the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region.

Blaine is the founder of Cree North Adventures, a family-run land-based tourism business that offers tipi glamping, cultural interpretation, and Cree storytelling experiences on his home reserve. Guided by the Cree worldview of miyo-pimatisiwin -living a good life—he integrates traditional knowledge, language, and values into visitor experiences and leadership approaches. Blaine is committed to advancing Indigenous-led tourism, cultural revitalization, and community prosperity through authentic partnerships and shared learning.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blainemirasty?originalSubdomain=ca

BREAKOUT SESSION SUMMARY:

Join the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC) for an informative session highlighting programs and services available to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners. This session will provide an overview of AIIC funding opportunities, including supports for Indigenous youth and women entrepreneurs, business planning assistance, and resources available to help start or grow a business. Participants will also learn about the application process, eligibility requirements, and how AIIC supports long-term business success through training, mentorship, and financial literacy initiatives.

Website: https://aiicbusiness.org/

BREAKOUT SESSION SUMMARY:

Ohpikiwin means “Growth” in Cree. The Ohpikiwin Workshop Series is designed to provide tools, knowledge, and resources, with a focus on financial empowerment for individuals on the path to building their dream business. This workshop is rooted in Indigenous values, providing education around credit and financial knowledge systems through Indigenous worldviews, including the medicine wheel and the seven sacred teachings.

MEET THE SESSION FACILITATOR:

Devaiya Corbett: Entrepreneurship Coach for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program

Devaiya is an Entrepreneurship Coach for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP), supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs nationwide. Based in Lekwungen Territory (Victoria, BC), Devaiya is a catalyst and change-maker at heart.

As a Queer, Two-Spirit Métis, and Neurodiverse individual, he is a change practitioner, project manager, systems thought leader, and professional coach with over 10 years of experience in his personal business and professional career.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devaiya/