Bridges to Better Business: Indigenous Entrepreneurship

Event Decription

Join us at the Broom Factory in Kingston on March 26th (5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) for a transformative event dedicated to fostering Indigenous business and economic development. At the heart of our gathering is the remarkable journey of Drs. Shyra and Ryan ‘Rye’ Barberstock, co-founders of Okwaho Equal Source Inc. and Kebaonish Inc.

Through their pioneering work at Okwaho Equal Source, they have championed impactful collaborations across diverse sectors, significantly enhancing Indigenous relations and community social impact. Their leadership and expertise have been instrumental in advancing Indigenous economics, with notable contributions to Indigenous business and economic development research, modernizing Indigenous procurement, developing engagement strategies, and launching initiatives like the Kwe-Biz program for Indigenous women entrepreneurs in partnership with Queen’s University’s WE-CAN Program (2020 – 2023), and the Indigenous Climate Hub, a national platform aiding Indigenous communities in adapting to climate change.

With a unique blend of academic rigour and entrepreneurial prowess, the Barberstocks completed their PhDs while scaling their companies, embodying a profound commitment to fostering positive change. Their latest venture, Kebaonish Inc., an innovative Indigenous tea and coffee company, exemplifies this commitment by integrating Indigenous culture, storytelling, and the arts, thereby advancing economic reconciliation.

This engaging presentation will share the Barberstocks’ wealth of experiences and strategies for cultivating meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous sectors. It is designed to promote Indigenous business inclusion and support, providing attendees with deep insights into successful collaboration for a more inclusive and equitable economy.

Keynote Speakers:

Shyra Barberstock, PhD

Dr. Shyra Barberstock is a co-founder of Okwaho Equal Source Inc. and Kebaonish Inc. Her academic career and entrepreneurial expertise in Indigenous social innovation and social impact are highly sought-after by Canadian public and private institutions. Shyra brings over a decade of experience as a professional Indigenous researcher and has extensive knowledge in Indigenous entrepreneurship, Indigenous economic development, and Indigenous business relations. She received formal training from the Rotman School of Management in Design Thinking and the Playing to Win framework used by Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Of notable interest, Shyra was the first Indigenous Innovator-in-Residence at the former Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Lab in Ottawa and is a recognized practitioner of Indigenous social innovation and Indigenous business development by the Government of Canada. As a business leader, Shyra has championed several key initiatives, including the Indigenous Climate Hub, and the highly successful WES Ecosystem-funded Queen’s University Kwe-Biz program for Indigenous women entrepreneurs and SMEs. Shyra completed her Ph.D. in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University, with a research focus on Indigenous supply chain and procurement. Shyra is Anishinaabe and a member of Kebaowek First Nation in Kipawa, Quebec.

Ryan ‘Rye’ Barberstock, PhD

Dr. Rye Barberstock is a co-founder of Okwaho Equal Source Inc. and Kebaonish Inc. Rye has an extensive background in Indigenous relations and community business development. He has held senior communications and leadership positions at the National Indigenous Organization level and senior leadership and capacity-building roles in First Nations communities in southwestern Ontario. Rye is the former co-chair of the Indigenous Knowledge and Learning Working Group at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Like his counterpart, he received formal Design Thinking and Advanced Business Design training from the Rotman School of Management. Rye was also an Indigenous Innovator-in-Residence at the former Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Lab in Ottawa and is a recognized Indigenous relations, social innovation, and Indigenous business development advisor. He was also a co-facilitator for the Kwe-Biz Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship program. Rye completed his Ph.D. at Queen’s University in Geography and Planning, with a research focus on Indigenous economy and cultural resurgence in the Dish with One Spoon treaty territory. Rye is Haudenosaunee and a member of Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, located in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario.

About Okwaho Equal Source Inc. (https://okwaho.com)

Okwaho Equal Source Inc. was established in 2015 and is a highly sought-after leader and change agent in Indigenous-inspired social enterprise, social innovation, social finance, and social procurement models in Canada. Okwaho Equal Source is a trusted Indigenous consultancy, design-thinking firm, program developer and research think tank. Okwaho Equal Source is proudly woman-led and 100% Indigenous-owned and is headquartered in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario.

About Kebaonish Inc. (https://www.proudlyindigenous.com).

Kebaonish Inc. is an Indigenous and woman-led coffee and tea company headquartered in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario. Launched in 2023, Kebaonish uniquely blends Indigenous (71%) and non-Indigenous (29%) ownership to innovate within the North American beverage market. Inspired by Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee principles that enhance well-being and cultural connections, the company prioritizes cultural preservation through brand storytelling, sustainable partnerships, and practices. With its experienced team, Kebaonish is committed to introducing Turtle Island’s rich Indigenous traditions to a worldwide audience, demonstrating unparalleled dedication to cultural integrity and industry excellence.

Who Should Attend?

This event is highly recommended for individuals and organizations keen on supporting or being part of the vibrant ecosystem of Indigenous entrepreneurship. Whether you are part of a business support organization, a leader in an Indigenous or non-Indigenous business, involved in academia, government, not-for-profit sectors, or simply interested in fostering economic reconciliation and sustainable development, this event promises valuable insights and networking opportunities to enhance your understanding and engagement with Indigenous business initiatives.

Join us to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous business communities and be part of the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape.

Agenda:

• 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Doors open and networking
• 5:15 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. – Introduction (Kingston Economic Development).

• 5:20 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks (Dr. Rye Barberstock)

• 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – Presentation (Drs. Shyra and Rye Barberstock)

• 6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Q & A session

• 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Networking