Four new businesses – a medical transport service, a reusable container program, and two film production companies – will soon be brought to life, thanks to student ingenuity and generous donor support through RRC Polytech’s Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah Entrepreneurship Incubator and Accelerator Program. 

On Monday, March 24, 2025, TD Bank Group presented a cheque for $200,000 to RRC Polytech to support Indigenous student entrepreneurs at Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah. This funding helps the four current entrepreneurs-in-residence, and future student entrepreneurs, see their business dreams come true. 

“We’re so proud to support the Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah Program at RRC Polytech and offer a platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs from Indigenous communities to bring their ideas to life,” said Michael Warren, District Vice President for Manitoba North, TD Bank Group. 

“Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, we’re investing in programs that are focused on rethinking skills development to help nurture a more inclusive economy.” 

Amy Jackson, Director of Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, noted that of the four student projects, two are currently in operation with plans to scale up, while two are preparing to launch. Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah provides the students with wraparound business supports – such as financial planning, legal advice, and marketing and graphic design – services essential to scaling projects quickly. 

“The students all shared that the business services are a huge money-saver, freeing up finances for them to bring on additional help for their businesses,” said Jackson.  

The students all came to Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah with established business plans to set their projects in motion. One business aims to connect individuals who travel to Winnipeg from northern First Nations communities for medical appointments with essential services, such as transportation from the airport and to appointments. 

Another student is tackling sustainability challenges through reusable containers, while two are exploring different paths related to filmmaking and storytelling – one focused on setting foundations in his business, while the other wants to further develop their product and service menu. 

“Mittohnee is a good pathway for entrepreneurs to take, giving them the capacity to focus on their projects,” continued Jackson. “That idea of working for themselves fulltime is incredibly important – it gives them a sense of accountability and takes a load off their minds, so they don’t have to worry about that financial barrier.” 

Through Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, each student entrepreneur receives a stipend that frees up finances for them to bring on additional help for their businesses, so they can focus fully on their business plans. 

“Some incredible ideas flow from Indigenous learners at RRC Polytech in such programs as Social Innovation and Community Development. Ideas that not only affirm these students’ potential as entrepreneurs, but ideas that can make real and profound community impact, which benefits us all,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. 

“Mittohnee ensures that these ideas won’t get shelved because a student doesn’t have access to income, capital, tools, mentors or other essentials that turn innovation into reality.” 

The initiative provides each student with a tailored plan with deliverables, that sets the timing for their involvement in the program. Students work independently on their businesses in a self-directed way, with programming that’s aligned with what would benefit them the most – such as conferences, professional development opportunities, and mentorship. 

“RRC Polytech has been helping entrepreneurs take the next step with their ideas for years, and now, because of this gift from TD, we have a program to share our expertise with the next generation of Indigenous makers and innovators,” continued Meier. “To help strengthen an Indigenous entrepreneurial ecosystem that brings opportunity, growth and change to communities across our province. We take great pride in Mittohnee and look forward to building these important relationships, which serve as a contemporary example of economic reconciliation in action.” 

Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah was launched in June 2024, with additional financial contributions from Prairies Economic Development Canada and the province’s Department of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation. To learn more about Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, please click here.