Wyatt Miller is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch competition. He currently lives in Saskatoon, but is from La Ronge. (Submitted photo/Wyatt Miller)

By Derek Cornet

advanced

Miller selected as semi-finalist in Pow Wow Pitch competition

Aug 8, 2023 | 2:34 PM

For the second consecutive year, Sparked Apparel owner Wyatt Miller is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurial competition.

Pow Wow Pitch is a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs who provide a safe, collaborative, supportive and empowering platform for inspiration, education, mentorship, celebration, and reconciliation through entrepreneurship. Its mission is to provide platforms, programs and resources to support Indigenous entrepreneurs to start and grow thriving and sustainable businesses that make a difference.

This year, more than 2,400 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses online and in-person for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000. In 2022, Miller made it to the final round but ultimately didn’t win any prizes.

“I am back in the same position I was in pretty much last year. The semi-final pitches are next Friday, and both my mentors are really excited about my pitch and I feel really confident I will be able to move on again,” he said.

“It was super exciting and rewarding. In the back of my mind, I was thinking maybe I didn’t do a good enough job last year, but now that I have managed to get into the same position, it feels great knowing I know exactly what I am doing to get myself to here, at least.”

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Out of the more than 2,400 entries, 120 moved on to become semi-finalists. Between Sept. 7 and 15, that number will further decrease into a small group of finalists. The final pitches will be delivered on Oct. 19.

Wyatt, who is from La Ronge and a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, moved to Saskatoon in December 2021 with dreams of expanding his business. In the last year, he has been taking online classes through the Toronto Film School and has been working to obtain a diploma in design.

“I have been putting my full focus into that and, of course, still doing the Sparked Apparel stuff,” Miller said.

“In the last year, I have been able to net about $6,000 in profit and I was able to reinvest 60 per cent of that into everything to get my equipment cleaned up and then get some inventory. With my clothes as well, I was able to upgrade my website a tad.”

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

View Comments

Miller selected as semi-finalist in Pow Wow Pitch competition

What's Trending