Entrepreneur and advocate Trisha Pitura, co-owner and creative director of Canadian lifestyle brand Mini Tipi, will be honoured at Brock University’s annual Indigenous Leader Speaker Series next week. The free online event will take place Tuesday, June 23 from noon to 1 p.m.

As Mini Tipi’s creative director, she’s passionate about building meaningful connections, driving positive change and celebrating Indigenous artistry. Through her work, Pitura reconnects with her Ojibwe identity using textiles and creativity.

“Indigenous leadership is about creating space for our stories, our values and our communities to be seen and celebrated,” she says.

The event is a collaboration between Brock’s Indigenous Engagement Office and the Goodman School of Business, and Pitura will be joined in conversation by Interim Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Shelia Cote-Meek.

“Trisha’s leadership speaks to the possibilities of Indigenous entrepreneurship when culture, creativity and business excellence come together,” says Cote-Meek, who selected Pitura as this year’s honouree. “Her work is an important example for students, faculty, staff and community members of how Indigenous values can shape innovative and ethical approaches to business.”

Pitura says she’s looking forward to the conversation with Cote-Meek, during which she will reflect on leadership and share how she’s building a business that honours where she comes from while also opening doors for future generations.

“Through Mini Tipi, [co-founder] Melanie [Bernard] and I are building a business that reflects reconciliation in action, grounded in respect, relationships and shared responsibility,” Pitura says. “Our approach is rooted in authenticity, strong values and a commitment to proper representation of Indigenous stories, voices and artistry. We believe business can be a powerful space to create understanding, celebrate culture and show what meaningful collaboration can look like when it is led with care and purpose.”

For Goodman Dean Barry Wright, the speaker series is not only an important way to amplify the voices of Indigenous leaders but also offers students and the community an opportunity to hear directly from an entrepreneur who has built a brand that excels in design and innovation while bridging culture and purpose.

“Hearing from Trisha will inspire our students to think more boldly, lead authentically and recognize how business can be both a powerful vehicle for personal expression and social impact,” Wright says.

This is the sixth annual Indigenous Leaders Speakers Series. Previous honourees include celebrated changemaker Fallon Farinnacci; Jon Davey (BA ’05), Vice-President, CEO Support at Scotiabank; Karen MacKenzie, co-founder and President of MacKintosh Canada; Mallory Yawnghwe, founder and CEO of Indigenous Box; and Jenn Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty Inc.

To receive a link to the free community webinar, register online through the speaker series website.