Trisha Pitura’s spirit name is a guide for both her life and work.

As Riverwoman, the Ojibwe entrepreneur from Nipissing First Nation has learned to move with the current, meeting challenges with resilience while trusting the path ahead.

That philosophy has shaped Pitura’s business, Mini Tipi, since its launch in 2016.

The enterprise began as a way to reconnect with her culture by crafting and sewing practical baby products with nature-themed fabrics while raising her young family.

As her children and business grew, and her cultural journey expanded, Pitura recognized a lack of authentic, Indigenous-designed textiles connected to the artists, communities and stories behind them.

In response, Pitura and Mini Tipi co-founder Melanie Bernard evolved the business into a Canadian lifestyle brand creating blankets, bags and other accessories in collaboration with Indigenous artists.

What hasn’t changed is Pitura’s belief that entrepreneurial success isn’t measured by profit alone, but also in a business’ ability to preserve culture, strengthen relationships and create lasting social impact.

“Our mission is really to use authentic Indigenous design for proper representation and give voice to our people through storytelling,” Pitura said. “We use our platform for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to connect to culture, empower themselves in terms of understanding and celebrate the knowledge passed on through art.”

She brought that message to Brock University’s sixth annual Indigenous Leader Speaker Series on June 23, where she joined Sheila Cote-Meek, Brock’s Interim Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement, for a conversation about how business can be a powerful expression of identity and reconciliation.

Hosted by Brock’s Indigenous Engagement Office and the Goodman School of Business, the event celebrates Indigenous leaders creating meaningful change in their communities and professions.

Pitura and Bernard’s work is grounded in long-term, ethical partnerships with Indigenous artists, fair compensation and shared responsibility, demonstrating commercial success and cultural integrity can go hand in hand.

“Indigenous leadership is about creating space for our stories, our values and our communities to be seen and celebrated,” Pitura said. “Through Mini Tipi, Melanie and I are building a business that reflects reconciliation in action, grounded in respect, relationships and shared responsibility.”

Cote-Meek noted Pitura’s work shows how Indigenous values can shape leadership and entrepreneurship.

For Pitura, those values will continue to shape the path ahead.

“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,” she said.