About Us
Providing native creatives with the tools and knowledge to grow thriving businesses rooted in their passion
Mission, Vision & Our Approach
Mission
To support Indigenous artisans in building thriving businesses that honor tradition while creating new opportunities for the future.
Vision
A flourishing Indigenous creative economy in BC, where artistry is valued, respected, and contributes to cultural and economic growth.
How We Work
Practical training, culturally aware mentorship, and a peer community that strengthens confidence and capability.
Why This Matters
Supporting Indigenous artists strengthens culture, communities, and local economies. It helps preserve traditions, advance reconciliation, and empower self-determination. Through their creative work, artisans reach wider audiences and build sustainable income, while inspiring future generations. This program fosters a close-knit community where skills, knowledge, and experiences are shared, ensuring cultural heritage thrives alongside innovation. Every piece of art tells a story that enriches society and amplifies Indigenous voices.
The People Behind The Scenes
Ńíkiki Pixémcal - Executive Director
Veronica Ravenna - Program Coordinator
Cheyenne Bartlett - Administrative Assistant
2026 Mentors
Fawn Wood- Juno Award-Winning Musician
Ruby Waters - Juno Award-Winning Musician
Maynard Johnny - Painter, Fashion Designer
Sarah Rhude - Aunty Collective
Erin Brillon - Totem Design House
Joshua Watts - Carving, Painting
James Groening - Native Art Renaissance
Pamela Baker
2026 Expert Workshop Presenters
Darian Kovacs - Jelly Marketing
Geena Jackson - Bears Lair Dream Camps
Shannan Roberts - s3 Consulting
Asahal Hickey - Dollar Dame Inc.
Mike Rowlands - Junxion Strategy
Lynn Feasey - Points North
Greg Hopf - Moccasin Trails
Ńíkiki Pixémcal has always been motivated by a big dream: to see Indigenous people thrive in health, wellness, and community strength, much as they did before colonization. When she was 17, she decided that if she could help her community become more financially secure, that could open the door to better health outcomes too. That belief sparked her path into economic development.
She studied business at UBCO and has since worn many hats in tourism, marketing, wealth management, hospitality, restaurants, and retail. She also started four businesses, joined three business accelerators, and fully embraced the world of entrepreneurship by reading every business and marketing book she could get her hands on and listening to countless podcasts along the way.
Eventually, she landed her dream economic development job. That’s when she discovered that growing revenues isn’t always the quickest route to community wellness — a plot twist, to say the least. But it helped clarify her purpose even more.
Today, she supports the Integrated Indigenous Medicine Collective, where she helps train Traditional Medicine Practitioners and Indigenous Midwives. She feels deeply grateful to use her business and marketing background in service of the healers who are helping bring more Indigenous knowledge, care, and wellness into the world.
She is also the founder of the Indigenous Artisans Accelerator, a business accelerator for Indigenous entrepreneurs, with the first cohort centered on Indigenous artists. Alongside business and marketing fundamentals, the program explores mindset, collaboration over competition, self-care, and entrepreneurship through an Indigenous lens.
When she’s not supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and knowledge keepers, she’s behind the camera as a photographer and videographer. You can check out her work at palasphotos.com.
Kukwstumkacw — and thank you for connecting.
Veronica was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to Canada at the age of seven. Her Argentinian roots have shaped her appreciation for culture, creativity, community, and self-expression.
As part of the Indigenous Artisans Accelerator, Veronica supports the team behind the scenes through administration and organization. She has always had a deep love for art and the many ways it can express inner thoughts, emotions, and stories.
In addition to her work with the Accelerator, Veronica also works in real estate and marketing/team management, where she has developed a strong foundation in communication, relationship-building, and business support.
Her work is meaningful to her because she wants to help Indigenous artists grow, share their work, and reach their full potential. Outside of work, Veronica has a deep love for pets of all kinds. One surprising fact about her is that she is a three-time Olympic athlete.