b'NEXT-GENAfter realizing that not everyone has the cash for an original piece, Hunter started making prints of his artwork, eventually expanding to t-shirts and mugs. I just sort of wrote down my own playbook on how to get started, he says. And you learn a little bit more everyyear.The intentions of the business have shifted slightly over the past five years, changing the type of work Hunter agrees to. This year alone, Hunter has worked on designs for the Canadian Olympic curling team jersey and has collaborated with the Chicago Blackhawks, working on the teams land acknowledgement and designing the mask for goalie Marc-Andr Fleury. Ponder by Patrick Hunter.Where I grew up, I saw a lot of Indigenous artwork in the community and public spaces, and then as I movedRather than gatekeeping his success, Hunter works more south down to Toronto, I just saw less and less ofto hold the door open for those coming up behind that, Hunter says. Now the intention of the business isor alongside him. Theres enough pie for everyoneto hope that people or Indigenous kids at least grow upits just kind of like, how do we support each other? with a sense of belonging and pride in their communityhe explains. Thats one thing that I feel is a little bit and in their culture.different with Indigenous businesses.MALLORY YAWNGHWEIndigenous BoxMallory Yawnghwe is the founder and CEO of Indigenous Box, an Edmonton-based seasonal subscrip-tion service showcasing products sourced from Indigenous businesses. Originally from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory, Yawnghwe has always been a supporter of Indigenous business. I was raised with this mindset of taking care of one another in a community setting, so I always wanted to help amplify the voices of Indigenous people, she says. After earning her Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management from MacEwan University, Yawnghwe entered the Young Entrepreneurs Symposium Challenge. I knew whatever I did would have to be something that was representative of the values that I have as an Indigenous woman and as a helper, she says. Her business plan and pitch video for Indigenous Box earned her a $5,000 grant. The business went live on March 14th, 2021 and sold out immediately.Representation is a big driving factor for our success because its motivation for us, too, as Indigenous People, Yawnghwe says. As an Indigenous woman, I never saw myself represented in modern commercial spaces, so I really wanted to do something for the little rez kids like me. 22 FORWARD MAGAZINE | VOLUME 1 2022'