Until recently, I never would have imagined Sisterhood and Business going hand in hand. My only awareness of entrepreneurship came from a western approach defined by boardroom blah-blah, (men in) suits, and dollar signs.

Over the last six months, however, I’ve gotten a wildly fantastic re-education thanks to some badass Indigenous women who are redefining what it means to be in business.

Indigenous women are known to be the backbone of our communities, and most of us will agree that they earn that title eight days a week. Despite living at constant a deficit, they stubbornly refuse to give up their inherent beauty and responsibilities. Many of our women have died from this deficit, and many others have somehow found the means to leave it in the dust. With the stakes being so high, women across our Nations know that any strength they can take hold of is begging to be shared with their sisters.

Right now, Indigenous women in business are firing that strength in all directions. Whether they're in consulting or cosmetics, we’re all benefiting from their bravery and success as leaders. Last summer, I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Powwow Pitch Competition, and this month I was blessed to be at the NWAC Female Entrepreneurship Conference (AWBEN) in Thunder Bay. Both these initiatives had me laughing and crying, and they introduced me to remarkable gals who are all following their dreams and giving that magic back to our communities.

Check out the gallery below, which features just some of the outstanding sisters I met at this year’s AWBEN Conference. Gatherings like this are such a gift. They bring together game changers from across the country, and build bridges (along with friendships) that help all our Nations to thrive.

Ladies, you totally rock my world!

All photos by Tenille Campbell (sweetmoon photography)

Also check out...
• The Native Women's Association of Canada
• sweetmoon photography
• SheEO

Xina Cowan is the Editor-in-Chief of WIOT Magazine, and a digital media Producer at Rezolution Pictures in Montreal. She has the privilege of working with remarkable community members every day, and uses the web as a platform to build strength, connections, and ideas. In her spare time, she loves bopping around with her two bunnies and dreaming about beadwork.