A Look Back at the 2026 Indigenous Entrepreneur Conference
Inspiring stories, meaningful connections, and opportunities for Indigenous businesses took centre stage in Slave Lake.
On October 22, 2026, nearly 80 attendees gathered at Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Conference – Mâmawi-Wîcihitowin., bringing together Indigenous entrepreneurs, tourism operators, community leaders, and business support organizations for a day of learning, inspiration, and collaboration.
The conference was a collaborative initiative between Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Lakes of the North Tourism, Sucker Creek First Nation, and Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region. Through this partnership, the organizations worked together to celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship, strengthen regional connections, and promote opportunities for Indigenous tourism and business development.
The conference began with an opening prayer from an Elder, setting a meaningful tone for a day dedicated to celebrating Indigenous culture, entrepreneurship, and the power of working together.
Inspiring Stories from Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Keynote speaker Greg Hopf, founder of Moccasin Trails, opened the conference with his powerful presentation, The Power of Indigenous Tourism. He shared how Indigenous tourism strengthens four interconnected areas: culture, economy, relationships, and territories.
Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey, Greg emphasized the importance of sharing authentic cultural experiences, reconnecting with ancestral knowledge, and creating economic opportunities while preserving Indigenous heritage. His story also highlighted how business planning and support from Community Futures helped turn his vision into a successful tourism business.
Attendees also heard inspiring stories from Douglas Hawke of Hawke Prohibition Distilleries, who shared his journey of building an Indigenous-owned craft distillery with his partner, Alana. His presentation highlighted innovation, determination, and the importance of storytelling in creating memorable tourism experiences.
Another inspiring entrepreneur shared the heartfelt journey behind Nipiy Beverages – Dragon Water Spirit CreeAtions. What started as a simple idea grew into something bigger than she ever imagined. She shared how her business expanded from creating unique flavours like rose, blueberry, and raspberry water to having her products stocked by retailers. Beyond her business success, she remains passionate about giving back, using proceeds to help communities in need of clean drinking water. She even brought samples for attendees to enjoy, giving everyone a taste of her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Real Experiences, Valuable Lessons
A highlight of the conference was the engaging entrepreneur panel featuring Clayton Didier of Pine Creek Retreat, Wendy Poseluzny of The Woods Experience, and Douglas Hawke of Hawke Prohibition Distilleries.
Through their personal journeys, the panelists shared the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, emphasizing cultural authenticity, perseverance, and the importance of creating unique visitor experiences. Their stories inspired aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in their ideas, build supportive connections, and take the first step toward achieving their business goals.
The afternoon continued with informative breakout sessions led by Business Link, Futurpreneur, Apeetogosan (AMDI), Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC), and Truly Creative Marketing. Participants gained practical knowledge about business planning, financing opportunities, Google Business Profile optimization, and resources to support business growth.
To close the day's presentations, Blaine Mirasty, Destination and Commercial Development Manager with Travel Alberta and founder of Cree North Adventures, shared valuable insights into Indigenous tourism, cultural preservation, and economic development.
Drawing from his Cree heritage and entrepreneurial journey, Blaine emphasized the power of meaningful partnerships and authentic cultural experiences, highlighting how Indigenous tourism can preserve traditions, strengthen communities, and create lasting opportunities for future generations.
Beyond the presentations, the conference created valuable opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and building relationships among entrepreneurs and community partners.
Positive Feedback and Lasting Impact
The conference received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants particularly appreciated the inspiring speakers, authentic storytelling, networking opportunities, and practical business resources.
Several attendees shared encouraging takeaways:
"Just go for it—surround yourself with good support."
"It's time to put the rubber to the road."
"We are the most valuable tool to tourism."
"Hearing and meeting likeminded people, revitalizing Indigenous culture
These reflections captured the heart of the conference: Indigenous entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business. It is about strengthening communities, preserving culture, building relationships, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Thank You to Our Sponsors, Partners, and Community Supporters!
The success of the 2026 Indigenous Entrepreneur Conference would not have been possible without the generous contributions and collaboration of our sponsors, partners, and community supporters.
We sincerely appreciate the generous support of our sponsors and community partners who helped make the 2026 Indigenous Entrepreneur Conference a success!
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Special Thanks to Our Community Supporters
Northern Lakes College – For generously donating the venue and providing a welcoming space for our conference.
McDonald's Slave Lake – For generously donating coffee to keep our attendees energized throughout the day.
Sobeys Slave Lake – For providing water for our attendees.
Sandee's Catering – For preparing and providing a delicious lunch for everyone to enjoy.
Second Helping- For preparing the afternoon snacks.
Tammy Prah Photography – For beautifully capturing the special moments and highlights of the day.
A special thank you to our wonderful emcees, Shauna Fiddler of Lakes of the North Tourism and Renee Fehr of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, for keeping the program running smoothly and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere throughout the conference.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our organizing partners, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees for making the conference a meaningful and successful gathering.
Together, we continue to strengthen partnerships, celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship, and create opportunities for businesses and communities across our region.
Mâmawi-Wîcihitowin — All Helping Together.
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