June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. From origin stories to potlatches and powwows to family songs, Indigenous traditions in North America are rich in diversity and history. Residential schools, however, severed the ties through which Indigenous culture is taught and sustained, disrupting families for generations, and the loss of this culture and knowledge is accelerating with the passing of Elders. One entrepreneur is trying to change that.

Dawn Wilson believes the gift of entrepreneurship runs in her blood. We sat down with Dawn to talk about her company Indigetree, a startup that creates personalized family tree albums for Indigenous families. Not only did her desire to reconnect with her family’s roots lead her to pursue a degree at Simon Fraser University, but – with the entrepreneurship training and support she is receiving from SFU’s Coast Capital Venture Connection incubator program – it also now allows Dawn to give back to Indigenous communities through her innovative approach to recording family histories.

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