Speakers

The 2023 Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Camp Speakers

Jason Bird
Program Coordinator and Lecturer, Indigenous Business & Public Administration

Dr. Bettina Schneider
Associate Dean, Community, Research, and Graduate Programs
Associate Professor, Indigenous Business & Public Administration

Tim Isnana
Lecturer, Indigenous Business & Public Administration

Guest Speakers

DESTINEE PETER, Owner, Tangles Salon

Destinee Peter is the sole owner and operator of Tangles Hair & Beauty Salon since 2013 at the young age of 22. Destinee has won many awards along with two national awards, sits on NACCA’s (The National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association) National Indigenous Youth Business Advisory Council (NIYBAC), facilitates Indigenous Business Women Mentor Circles, and is a mentor for Start-Up Women across Canada. 

She has expanded her salon and team exponentially and rebranded in the 10 years of owning Tangles Salon. She now has a team of 7 employees offering a variety of different services such as haircuts and colours, eyelash extensions, laser hair removal, micro-needling and skin care.

Tangles Salon remodeled to be more modern and to bring in aspects of Indigenous culture. Destinee works hard and knows how important it is for her to be a positive role model for Indigenous youth and women. Another important trait that Destinee has learned along her entrepreneurial journey is never forget where you came from and who helped you along the way.

JAKE SINCLAIR, Entrepreneur, Owner, Anytime Fitness

Jake Sinclair is the CEO for Cowessess Ventures Ltd. and also a successful business owner. He owns the Anytime Fitness gym facilities that are located in Regina, SK. He is an Alumni of First Nation University of Canada with a degree in Administration and is an MBA Candidate with the Levene School of Business. Jake is from George Gordon First Nation and grew up in his home community. Since leaving his community he has work experience as an entrepreneur and also with the Provincial Government, dedicating 7 years to SLGA and the Ministry of Trade and Export. In his spare time, he likes to stay active by participating in organized events like marathons and golf tournaments.

CODY DEMERAIS, Public Speaker, Owner, Limitless Gear Clothing

Author Cody Demerais is a 29-year-old Award winning Métis Entrepreneur Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He will be the first one to tell you he has not always been on the path he lives currently…

As Cody was growing up, he was raised by his single mother and a mixture of different babysitters, when he reached age 11, he had a dilemma that arrived that turned him onto the start of his own independent self where he started working for the extras in life including helping pay for his own sports and the clothes that he would wear on his back. One thing Cody has always been grateful for the Work Ethic it ingrained in him!

But with all his independence at a young age left Cody with a sense of not feeling as if he belonged for many years in his life he lived, that left him trying to find ways to “FIT IN” with this mentality and of course his own financial independence left Cody very vulnerable with drugs and alcohol being experimented often… As the years progressed growing up with his addictive personality leading to more intense substance abuse issues as well with many anger issues with Depression at an alarming rate.

This lifestyle led to a night that was very life altering, a Car Crash with him and his best friend. That shortly after the impact of the crash led him to trying to take his own life as he dealt with PTSD, guilt and anger towards himself for the results of the crash…

To where Cody is now a Successful leader, with his Inspirational/Motivational Speaking on his past so others don’t have to learn the hard way as he did.

He was the recipient of “Young Entrepreneur Of The Year” for 2021 ABEX awards through the Saskatchewan Chambers. He now sits on the Prince Albert Chambers Board of Directors, and the Youth Representative for Western Regional 2 Métis Nation Saskatchewan.

An entrepreneur, Change Maker, Community Advocate. Cody Demerais aims to make a difference in this world!

The story of Cody has come a full 180 in life, one he is proud that he was able to get back up from and dust himself off not only to better his own life, but as well make sure to add value for the ones he reaches through his speeches, workshops, or his brand…

“Once you believe you have the ability and capacity to do great things, that’s when life becomes limitless” – Cody Demerais.