Meet Les Walker: Owner and CEO of Walker Home Construction in Whitehorse, Yukon, and a proud member of Champaign Aishihik First Nation. Les’s journey is one of transformation; from early challenges to building a thriving construction company that creates more than homes and community spaces. At the heart of his business is a powerful philosophy: cultivating warriors within our community. This commitment shines through in his workforce, where the majority of staff are First Nation citizens, and in the leadership he demonstrates every day. With national recognition - including the NACA Indigenous Business Award of Excellence and the Cando Indigenous Economic Developer of the Year Award - Les’s impact extends well beyond the job site. In this interview, Les explores his personal journey of growth, the art of leading with care and adaptability, and what it means to build capacity and resilience in the North.

Meet Siku Rojas, the creative force behind Yurak - a painter, printmaker, illustrator, jewellery maker, and learning tattooist based in Iqaluit, NU. From a young age, Siku has used art to explore identity, culture, and belonging. Their work often weaves in tunniit (Inuit tattoos), depictions of Inuit culture, queer relationships, and the lived experiences of being a mixed-race Indigenous youth. Through their practice, Siku offers bold and beautiful visual representations of genderfluid and queer Inuit stories. But Siku’s path is not only about art; it’s about entrepreneurship. As a full-time artist and alum of the Digital Creatives cohort at EntrepreNorth, Siku has built Yurak into both a business and a platform for community connection. Their journey reflects the balancing act of being a working artist while staying true to deeply personal and cultural themes.

Meet our friend and powerhouse artist, Leela Gilday: an award-winning singer-songwriter whose music carries the heart of the North. A proud member of the Dene Nation, Leela weaves stories of land, people, and journey into songs that feel like home to Northerners, and offer a doorway into the North for everyone else. But Leela’s story isn’t just about music; it’s about entrepreneurship. Over more than 20 years, she has built a sustainable career as an independent artist, touring internationally, winning JUNO Awards, and proving that artists can thrive on their own terms. From navigating the business side of the music industry to creating platforms that uplift other Indigenous voices, Leela is redefining what it means to blend art with enterprise.

based educator, filmmaker, and facilitator from Tadoule Lake - a remote northern community in Manitoba. Angela has lived in the Yukon for many years and this is where she operates her business, Dene Cha'niyé - Indigenous Cultural Contracting. Dene Cha'niyé is Dënesųłıné for “our code of ethics” or “our set of morals” or “our culture, our way of being and knowing.” Angela loves her culture and being out on the land, and through her business she creates opportunities for others - especially women - to find that love too. She offers workshops on ethical hunting and harvesting from a Dene perspective and she also instructs hide tanning, tool making, and the processing of wild meat. Colonization has stifled these practices in many communities, and gender politics impact access to land-based skill development for women. Angela is shifting this narrative in critical ways, and in her words "if women feel empowered with knowledge and skills, they will pass it onto their children and we will have a much more robust economy. Our communities will flourish." In this episode, you will also meet Sayisi Dene | Dënesųłıné land guardian and powerhouse Stephanie Thorassie, who is a relative and dear friend of Angela's and is the Executive Director of the Seal River Watershed Initiative, which has a goal to permanently protect the Seal River Watershed from industrial development as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). Follow Dene Cha'niyé on Instagram and Facebook Follow the Seal River Watershed Initiative on Facebook Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Denendeh's Leela Gilday.

Meet Jordan Peterson: A disruptor, systems thinker, and entrepreneur from Aklavik, Northwest Territories. Jordan is the CEO of Affinity North: an Indigenous-owned consultancy dedicated to empowering communities and fostering sustainable growth. With a deep understanding of Indigenous culture and values, Affinity North specializes in negotiations, policy, governance, and strategic planning. By prioritizing cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity, the consultancy develops tailor-made solutions that create lasting positive impacts.​ As a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities, Jordan has a strong background in leadership and negotiation. He has held significant roles, such as the elected Deputy Grand Chief/Vice President and Chief Negotiator of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Strategic Lead for Nation Building at Vuntut Gwitchin Government, and board member of various Indigenous organizations. In these roles, he has focused on advancing self-determination and fostering a new relationship with Canada. In this episode you will also meet beloved Elder Sarah Jerome from Fort McPherson, NWT. Sarah has spent her career leading the way in language and cultural preservation, and she is one of Jordan's greatest mentors. Follow Jordan and Affinity North on LinkedIn

Meet Misty: An Intuitive Entrepreneur who is Dehcho Dene from Tthek'éhsehdélı̨ First Nation (Jean Marie River) in the Northwest Territories. Misty is the Owner of Dene Roots, which promotes the power of Dene Science and offers products for those seeking deeper spiritual connections, balance, and wellbeing. For over 15 years she's been creating smokeless smudge sprays that can be used anywhere and blend traditional medicines like spruce root, juniper berry, and sage. Misty is also a Reiki Master and Life Coach. Last year, she made the bold decision to combine her gifts and jump into entrepreneurship full-time. She hasn't looked back since, and wants to encourage more Northerners to take the plunge. For Misty, entrepreneurship is a pathway to inspire community-level change that elevates our economies and our collective sense of wellbeing. In this episode you will also meet Tłı̨chǫ changemaker Benjamin Scott, who is the Founding Project Director of EntrepreNorth. Ben and Misty are thought partners who have offered each other a lot of mutual support over the years, and Ben has been witnessing Misty's growth journey since her participation in EntrepreNorth's inaugural Land Crafted cohort. Follow @deneroots Visit deneroots.ca This episode features Northern Love Affair by Digawolf. Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Denendeh's Leela Gilday.

Meet Joella: A Northern Tutchone entrepreneur who connects people to culture and to land. She also happens to be an EntrepreNorth cohort alum and our first guest on S2 of Venture Out! In 2012, Joella stepped into entrepreneurship and purchased an existing soap business in the Yukon. She named it The Yukon Soaps Company and turned it into a community-building, language-learning, earth-connecting hub in her home town of Mayo. For Joella, entrepreneurship is a way to promote language ("if we don't use it, we're going to use it") and uplift Indigenous young people in meaningful ways. She always starts by asking, 'what does the community need?' and takes it from there. More recently, this has involved the launch of two new ventures: Raven's Landing and Dan K’ehte Natsedan - Learning Our People’s Way. In this episode you will also meet Northern Tutchone changemaker Eileen Peter, who is Joella's right-hand woman and the Marketing & Social Media Manager at The Yukon Soaps Company. Follow @yukonsoapscompany Visit yukonsoaps.com This episode features Brave Face by Diyet & the Love Soldiers. Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Denendeh's Leela Gilday.

Meet Bobbi Rose: a Gwich'in tourism entrepreneur and certified paddling guide who bravely launched her business Dinjii Zhuh Adventures in the Spring of 2021. Bobbi has a deep love for the land and people she comes from and is an active protector of the Peel Watershed, nestled within the borders of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. She's passionate about sharing this love with Indigenous communities, youth, and visitors whom she takes on customized paddling trips. Bobbi (an alum of our 2019-2020 Tourism Cohort) is also a natural leader who is supporting young Indigenous people to become certified guides and stewards of the land. This is her calling, and she's showing up for it wholeheartedly. Follow Dinjii Zhuh Adventures on Facebook | @DinjiiZhuhAdventures Follow Dinjii Zhuh Adventures on Instagram | @d.z.adventures Visit www.dinjiizhuh.com This episode features the track Space by Leela Gilday. Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra, also by Leela.

Meet Jamie: a 22 year-old Tłı̨chǫ Photographer who has brought the sensual art of boudoir to the Northwest Territories in a big way. She got her business license at 18 and has since built a highly successful company that helps clients to overcome their fears, step into their courage, and embrace their unique, sexy beauty. Jamie herself has overcome a lot and is proof that young people can do incredible things. In this episode, you'll also meet Sahtúgot'ı̨nę entrepreneur Jennie Vandermeer, who was Jamie's first boudoir client of 2021. Follow Jamie on Instagram | @jamiestevensonboudoir & @jamiestevensonphotograhy This episode features the track Giants by Leela Gilday. Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra, also by Leela Gilday.

Meet Rosalind: a former government director who became a full-time artist and entrepreneur in her fifties. She is the Owner of the beloved Down to Earth Gallery, which carries pieces from over 140 artists located across the territories. It's situated in Yellowknife's iconic Old Town and it's a hub for events, annual shows and creative encounters. For Ros, the real magic of her business comes from the 'Down to Earth family' who makes it possible for Northern artists and locals to come together and build community. At the end of this episode, you'll also meet Tłı̨chǫ artist Violet Martin who sells at the Gallery and has deep respect for Rosalind's big heart. Follow Down to Earth Gallery on Facebook: @DownToEarthGallery Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Leela Gilday

Meet Katie: a bridge builder and visionary who's in the business of creating transformative experiences for people all across the Yukon. She is the Owner of Bella Elite Events and Consulting and the Co-Founder of the Adäka Cultural Festival. Katie is Southern Tutchone from Kluane First Nation, and in her language 'Adäka' means "coming into the light." This message embodies the path that Katie is on as a business owner and mother. Whether she's hosting a community forum or producing a performing arts mentorship program, she operates from a place of service and integrity; recognizing that her work is connected to something much bigger than her. In Katie's words, "Indigenous entrepreneurship is legacy." In this episode, you'll also meet Charlene Alexander (Executive Director of Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism and Co-Founder of Adäka), Vashti Etzel (Artist and Owner of Golden Eye Designs), and Katie's daughter Bella. Follow Adäka: www.adakafestival.ca | @adakaculturalfestival Featured song: We're Still Here by Diyet & the Love Soldiers ​Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Leela Gilday

Meet Nooks: an Inuk artist, ulu-maker and entrepreneur who sees the world in full colour from his home in Arviat, NU. He is the Lead Designer and Co-Owner of Hinaani Design: an Inuit apparel brand founded by a collective of creatives from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Nooks wears his heart and culture on his sleeve and leans on his love of making to heal and resist. For many years, he struggled to find pride in his own skin. Today, he has a new appreciation for his journey and infuses meaning and purpose into everything he designs. In this episode, you'll also meet Lori Tagoona, who is Nooks' cousin and a member of the Hinaani crew. Follow Hinaani Design: @hinaani.design | www.hinaani.ca Featured song: Snowblind by Tanya Tagaq ​Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Leela Gilday

Meet Tania: a Gwich’in fine jeweller and hide tanner who designs exquisite adornments now worn by customers all over the world and featured in publications like Vogue. Tania is committed to operating her business differently, and she surrounds herself with innovative thinkers who encourage her to push the entrepreneurial envelope. One of her greatest sources of strength is her Mentor, Keri Ataumbi of Ataumbi Metals. Keri was Tania’s instructor at the prestigious IAIA (Institute of American Indian Arts) and after much vetting accepted Tania as her apprentice. Today, these two jewellers are like sisters and continue to elevate one another’s practice and determination to dream outside the box. In the second part of this episode, you’ll meet acclaimed jeweller Keri Ataumbi who lives in Cerillos Hills, New Mexico. Follow Tania and Keri: @tania.larsson | www.tanialarsson.com @ataumbimetals | www.ataumbi.com Featured song: Edge of the World by Jay Gilday Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Leela Gilday

Listen to our season 1 trailer and discover some of the remarkable entrepreneurs we're profiling in this series! Venture Out’s guests are born storytellers and creators, and we know you’ll enjoy visiting with them. Featured guests in this trailer include Tania Larsson, Leena Evic, Nooks Lindell, and Kalina Newmark.

Meet Leena: a remarkable Inuk business woman who has dedicated her career to language, culture and wellbeing. She is the President and Founder of the Pirurvik Centre: a beautiful school nestled in the heart of Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit. Pirurvik is a social enterprise that serves Inuit students, and while it is now an internationally renowned place of learning, Leena will tell you that it started as a tiny seed in a galaxy far away. She has many gifts, and one of them is making the seemingly impossible possible. In this episode, you’ll also meet three powerful women in Leena’s circle: Papatsi Anrango Kotierk and Bernice Clarke (entrepreneurs and Pirurvik students) and celebrated environmental advocate Siila Watt-Cloutier. Follow Pirurvik: @pirurvik | www.pirurvik.ca ​Featured songs: Ataataga by RIIT and Pisissima performed by Leena Evic ​Venture Out's theme song is Fires Across the Tundra by Leela Gilday