Beyond The Lair

EDGARD VILLANUEVA CRUZ CEO of Turtle Island Connection TOPIC: The value, influence and impact of today’s youth. Edgard Villanueva Cruz is a budding leader and entrepreneur engrained with a mission to support the needs of Indigenous youth, economies and communities. As a Tahltan Nation member and a confident, engaging facilitator, Edgard leverages his leadership skills, honed through mentorship and...

LEAH COSS Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids & Founder of BBK Network Leah’s journey, her why and the impact that instilling confidence in youth can make. Leah Coss is a visionary leader revolutionizing education by equipping youth with essential soft skills, hands-on experiences and a growth mindset so they can thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As the Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids and Founder...

Teara fraser • Founder of Iskwew Air Teara’s story about an unstoppable will to succeed at every level and push the limits of even her own expectations. Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this Métis woman wings. Teara is the Founder of Iskwew Air and elibird aero. She believes that together in this innovative space we will reimagine, rematriate, and rebuild our air transportation...

RYAN ST. GERMAINE • Founder & CEO of the Indigenous Tech Circle How Ryan created a circle to support, advance, educate and inspire Indigenous tech entrepreneurs and companies. Ryan St. Germaine is a seasoned entrepreneur, AI strategist, and advocate for Indigenous leadership in technology. As the Founder & CEO of the Indigenous Tech Circle, he established Canada’s largest Indigenous-led te...

Shain Jackson • President of Spirit Works Ltd. His journey making a difference as a lawyer, a social entrepreneur & leading change while improving Indigenous lives. Shain Niniwem Selapem Jackson is Coast Salish from the community of Sechelt. He is a lawyer who has represented the interests of Indigenous communities and organizations throughout British Columbia in relation to a broad array of i...

Steven Stark - President & CEO, Tsawwassen Shuttles Inc. Challenges from the past can lead to strength and perseverance for business in the future Steven Stark’s journey is a testament to resilience. Born in Chilliwack, BC, he faced challenges with family instability, abuse, and undiagnosed dyslexia and deafness. Expelled at 15, he experienced homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. At 24,...

Keerit Jutla - President & CEO, AME The importance of meaningful participation in the mining sector, highlighting reconciliation, education, & building mutual respect between Indigenous peoples and industry. Keerit is the President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (“AME”). He is a lawyer with a decade of experience in the natural resource sector, working with and actin...

Jeff Ward - Founder & CEO, Animikii - Building a career in technology, the power of AI, and why data sovereignty is crucial for Indigenous communities. Jeff founded Animikii in 2003 and has orchestrated and managed its growth ever since. Everything Jeff does in business is geared toward uplifting his family, communities and Indigenous Peoples. He is Ojibwe and Métis, originally from Manitoba,...

Zinat H. Damji - President & CEO, Alliance Trust Company: Core values from the first female in Canada to have founded a Corporate Trust company and how the social impact from supporting Indigenous communities feels. Zinat comes from a family of entrepreneurs and believes in paying it forward. She thrives on the excitement of starting and growing successful companies, with a strong reputation f...

Leadership, partnerships and the evolution of the Haisla Nation. Crystal Smith, elected Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation since 2017, has led groundbreaking initiatives like the Cedar LNG Project, the world’s first Indigenous majority-owned LNG facility, and established a fully electric-powered tugboat fleet in partnership with Seaspan. As Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, she champions...

The importance of relationship building, teamwork and promoting programs that support financial literacy, entrepreneurism and affordable housing. A spotlight on Vancity's new program - The Wealth Mindset Program. Michelle, Director of Indigenous Banking at Vancity, drives Reconciliation efforts and fosters partnerships with Indigenous members, organizations, and communities. With a background...

Evolution and the rise of the BC lions + their social impact and initiatives on and off the field. George Sr. VP Business at BC Lions Football Club, has been a pivotal figure with the BC Lions for over three decades, serving in roles such as Director of Marketing and Vice President of both Football and Business Operations, contributing extensively to the team’s on- and off-field success. Since 199...

Chelsee Pettit, Founder of Aaniin Retail joins Geena Jackson-Montgomery and Dean Montgomery as they chat about life after winning season 2 of Bears' Lair TV,  fulfilling a lifelong dream, a new pop-up shop launch, product diversification and enhancing customer engagement. Chelsee Pettit is an Anishinaabe member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation and creator of Aanin Retail Inc., a 100-percent Indige...

Corey Janvier - Owner of Cedar Brush Indigenous Site Services & Janitorial Season 2 Contestant of Bears' Lair TV Starting a company just 3 years ago with $400 and a staff of 2 to right now having 100 employees and 3 different divisions and how important relationship building really is. Corey Janvier is a member of the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation in Alberta and owner of Cedar Brush...

Harlan Kingfisher - Founder of Smudge the Blades Season 2 Contestant of Bears' Lair TV Overcoming racism in minor and junior hockey and his quest to break down barriers, elevate youth and celebrate achievements in sports, while paving a way for athletes, entrepreneurs and fans worldwide. Harlan Kingfisher of Sturgeon Lake First Nation is the founder of Smudge the Blades, a hockey apparel comp...

Dave Tuccaro - President & CEO of Tuccaro Group of Companies Growing up, being a natural born entrepreneur from humble beginnings, to creating companies with annual revenues of over 2 billion dollars but most importantly finding the balance between family and life. Dave is a proud member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta. Under his leadership, the Tuccaro Group has gr...

Prominent Chief, Astute Business Leader and Advocate for Youth. A true leader  speaking on what a better Canadian society can look like today. Willie Sellars was born and raised in Williams Lake, BC and is a member of the Williams Lake First Nation (“WLFN” or “T’exelc”) of the Secwepemc Nation. Elected to WLFN Council at the age of 23 in 2008, Willie was one of the youngest elected Councilors in W...

Josh nilson - founder of Maskwa Investments His Journey to Becoming CEO of one of the Largest Gaming Companies & How the Advancement of Tech can Make a Difference Josh Nilson, is Metis and from Willow River, BC. He is the founder of Maskwa Investments which focuses on early stage seed funding and advisement with a focus on Indigenous tech businesses. Prior to that he was a founder at East Side...

YOLONDA SKELTON - Gitxsan Textile Artist and Fashion Designer at Sugiit Lukxs Designs From the Runway, Film and Television - the Meaning of her Designs, Fabrics, Energy and Giving Back Yolonda Skelton Sugiit Lukxs (Sug-iit-looks) is a visionary fashion/costume designer from the Gitxsan First Nations, whose work beautifully intertwines her cultural heritage with contemporary aesthetics. Yolonda&apo...

Bobbie racette - FOUNDER & CEO OF VIRTUAL GURUS Growing up an Introvert & the Creation of one of the Largest Virtual Assistant Platforms on the Planet Bobbie Racette, a trailblazing Métis-Cree tech entrepreneur, epitomizes innovation and social change as the Founder & CEO of Virtual Gurus. Her visionary approach has redefined the remote work sector, advocating for inclusivity and equit...

Social impacts, politics and campaigning for the rights of others. 

The importance of where we are, where we come from and who we are as Indigenous people and what true reconciliation means to us from Indigenous communities and industry.

Authenticity, Relationship Building and Making a Difference with Profit for Purpose and the Prevention of Human Trafficking 

Growing up in the North, Graduating from Harvard and becoming the CEO of Cedar Leaf Capital Clint Davis is a Senior Advisor at Scotiabank and the incoming CEO of Cedar Leaf Capital, the first Indigenous majority-owned investment dealer in Canada. He founded North35, a firm helping Indigenous governments and businesses. As former CEO of Nunasi Corporation, he led significant divestments, property s...

Meet Chris and learn more about the Klahoose Wilderness Resort where one lucky family will win a 4 day discover Klahoose prize package this season on Bears Lair!