The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence (VIBE) Award nominations are now open!
Do you know an Indigenous-led business that is innovating and making an impact in Manitoba? Are you an entrepreneur whose business fits this description? If so, we encourage you to nominate yourself or that business.
DEADLINE EXTENSION
Nominations have been extended to be due by 11:59 PM on May 30, 2025.
100% of proceeds directly benefit IBEP students through scholarships, bursaries, academic support, and more. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our past and present event sponsors and look forward to adding to that legacy of giving by including more sponsors.
IBEP is grateful to all who choose to sponsor the VIBE Awards, and thank you for your commitment to Indigenous education.
Sponsorship package orders can be sent to ibep@umanitoba.ca upon completion.
Sponsorship will remain open until Friday, October 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (CT).
Emilie McKinney, Anishinaabe from Swan Lake First Nation, is an award winning Indigenous entrepreneur and the founder of Anishinaabe Bimishimo. Today, Anishinaabe Bimishimo is North America’s award-winning jingle cone manufacturer, shipping to 109 stores and offering a wide range of locally produced Anishinaabe-designed goods.
Emilie founded Anishinaabe Bimishimo at the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey when she was just 16 years old. When the company first opened its manufacturing doors in 2017 in Somerset, Manitoba, its main focus was to manufacture a variety of jingle cone products. Since then, she has flourished in opportunities, kickstarting projects, traveling to many home communities to deliver jingle cones, and being included in many fashion shows, museum exhibitions.
Emilie has expanded the production line to manufacture bags, clothing and more, collaborating with many organizations, PowWows, artists and sports teams. Each year, she represents the company at over 40 of the largest Indigenous evens across the continent including PowWows, national conferences, sporting events and festivals. With continued growth and community connections, Emilie has led Anishinaabe Bimishimo to become the leading jingle cone brand in North America.
Shaun Vincent is an artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur who grew up in the Métis community of St. Laurent, and the founder of Vincent Design Inc.
He founded the company in 2007, after earning an Advanced Diploma from Red River College Polytechnic and spending several years working in the design industry. Shaun saw the need for representational design and struck out on his own to build a branding and marketing firm with a focus on promoting Indigenous communities, organizations, and companies. Today Vincent Design Inc. has grown to a team of close to 40 doing this work.
Shaun has designed hundreds of logos, specializing in those that require a deep understanding and sensitivity to the people and stories they represent. He worked on the Survivors’ Flag, a design created for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of residential school Survivors. The Flag was introduced during the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation federal holiday in 2021 and raised at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. He has also worked with several organizations across Canada, including the Southern Chiefs’ Organization on branding and marketing around their acquisition of the historical, flagship Hudson Bay Building, web presence and branding for Indspire, and branding and layout for Canadian Geography on the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.
As an artist and entrepreneur, Shaun has crafted a unique style guided by connections to the land, history and ‘knowing.’ It is this Two-Eyed Seeing bridging Indigenous understanding with Western strengths that defines Shaun Vincent’s work and Vincent Design Inc.
To visit Vincent Design Inc.'s website, click the link below.
LA BRASSERIE NONSUCH Brewing Co. has a strong sense of purpose that goes beyond crafting beer. Nonsuch was built on a mission to create experiences for everyone to savour, remember and cherish – from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations.
Nonsuch is a Métis-Francophone majority owned business led by President Matthew Sabourin. Since 2017, Matthew and the team at Nonsuch have worked to contribute to Manitoba’s Métis Francophone culture and envision a province richer in culture and more diverse, equitable, just, sustainable, inclusive and progressive.
The craft brewery has won more national beer and brewery awards than any other Manitoban brewery, and they earned the #2 spot on the Globe and Mail’s 2019 list of best new restaurants on the prairies. Beyond award-winning beverages and food, Nonsuch aims to inspire pride in their province, city and neighbourhood. They are actively involved in their community: fundraising for Main Street Project, working with the Exchange District Biz and partnering with the Winnipeg Foundation as well as joining Circles for Reconciliation, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and working with Métis Employment and Training (MET).
Sharing their name with the historic seventeenthcentury ship, Nonsuch hopes to honour the past as they strive to shape its future.
To visit La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co.'s website, click the link below.
WITH A MISSION TO ELEVATE and amplify Indigenous voices, Dreamcatcher Promotions is Canada’s largest Indigenous owned promotional company. They offer organizations, First Nation communities and artists opportunities to create custom apparel and promotional items that suit their unique needs and voice.
CEO/Owner Michelle Cameron started Dreamcatcher as a home based business in 2012 from their home in Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve. In the beginning, Michelle attended tradeshows, Pow Wows, and other similar gatherings in Manitoba and across Canada to build clientele personal and community connection. Today, the company operates out of Swan Lake First Nation Urban Reserve and fulfills contracts across Canada, employing more than 50 people, with a large percent being of Indigenous descent. In 2022, they designed a campaign called Home Fire as part of Every Child Matters, honoring Survivors of residential schools and is one of the largest orange shirt distributors in Canada. They are also active supporters of Drag the Red and Orange Shirt Day, advancing reconciliation through visibility and outreach.
From their work with Indigenous communities and First Nations (who make up 90% of their clientele) to their monthly feature of Indigenous artists through limited edition clothing collections, they have become a go-to promotional services provider for unique and authentic products that reflect their values and mission.
To visit Dreamcatcher Promotion's website, click the link below.
At the 16th annual Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence (VIBE) Awards we celebrated Bloom + Brilliance and Shortline Moving Solutions on November 17, 2022 at the RBC Convention Centre.
Bloom + Brilliance
Is a queer, Indigenous, and intersectional feminist-led design agency. They build beautiful brands, websites and strategies for Indigenous and intersectional feminist entrepreneurs; organizations, and community leaders as they change the world.
Janelle and her team serve their clients by creating brand identity, stationery, social media and packaging design; informational, ecommerce websites, subscription, membership and online event websites; copywriting and SEO.
B+B believes that by channeling their passion, purpose, and power, women are uniquely positioned to effect positive change on individual, community and global scales.
To visit Bloom + Brilliance's website, click the link below.
Shortline Moving Solutions
Founded in 2015 by Alexander Hupe, with a single 5-tonne truck that would build the foundation of the business. With a dedication to honesty, integrity, and respect towards employees and customers, Shortline continues to grow and thrive.
Shortline prides itself in giving back to community. A cornerstone since inception, Alex and his team provide much needed service to charities around the city such as Willow Place and Main Street Project.
To visit Shortline Moving Solutions' website, click the link below.
Our 2019 recipients are strong and vibrant Indigenous entrepreneurs who are invested in the wider Winnipeg community. We celebrated the 15th annual Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence (VIBE) Awards recipients, HUB Technology Solutions and BeYOUTee School, Factory & Bar on November 7, 2019 at the Fort Garry Hotel.
Be●YOU●Tee Bar offers full service luxury salon experiences at its location in the Corydon Village area, specializing in makeup, hair, lash extensions, waxing, laser, and nail services. They also offer wedding and private party services.
Angie Zachary - owner and founder of Be●YOU●Tee – is a member of the Peguis First Nation and dedicates herself to giving back to the community. Over the years she has contributed time, make-up, and funds in support of The Dream Factory, Variety Club, Ronald McDonald House, and The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, The Aboriginal Film Festival.
Be●YOU●Tee regularly offers donates time and services to ensure that Indigenous women feel special and receive top-notch salon treatment for both Galentine’s Day at Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development’s (CAHRD) annual graduation ceremony.
Through the years, HUB has grown from a modest two-person operation to a strong, dynamic organization with over 20 employees and more than 100 active clients throughout Manitoba, Canada, and the US.
Having lived and raised his family in Winnipeg, McLennan has deep roots in the community. McLennan believes in building strong relationships with clients, community, and his employees. HUB solutions offers employees’ paid personal time to volunteer for charitable organizations of their choice, supports the Christmas Cheer board, Winnipeg Harvest food drives, Bell Let’s Talk Day, Pink Shirt Day, and International Women’s Day, and supports employees with paid education programs. Further, HUB offers its employees paid education programs.
HUB has partnered with the Manitoba Métis Federation Employment and Training to bring the Red River Business Information Technology (BIT) program to the HUB team. McLennan is a proud member of the Métis Business Club and has been actively involved with the Winnipeg Métis Liberty Local, working on fundraising and raising awareness for youth bursary opportunities.
Christa Bruneau-Guenther - Feast Café Bistro
Regan Greenwood - Style Bar Boutique
Noel Bernier - Hermanos Hospitality
Arrowhead Development Corp - Madison Petro-Canada
Caralyn and Robert Rabichuk - Covert Logistics
Andréanne Dandeneau - Voilà par Andréanne
Chief Peguis Investment Corporation
Connie and Robert Chartrand - Connie's Corner Café
Métis Economic Development Organization
Beyond Excellence IBEP Alumni Business Award
Julie DesLauriers - EMOTiCOM Marketing
Brenda Parsons - All Nations Print
Louis Champagne & Russ Rothney - Neechi Foods Co-op Ltd
Andrew Clarke - Clarke Financial Planning and Insurance Services
Tim Sweeney - Creeway Aviation
Chubb Chabot - L. Chabot Enterprises
E.J. Fontaine & Eva Wilson-Fontaine - Amik.ca
Southeast Resource Development Corp
Sean McCormick - Manitoba Mukluks
Bernie Vermette - B. Vermette Back-Hoe SVC Ltd.
Pat Turner - E.T. Development Ltd.
Arnold Asham - Asham Curling Supplies
We would like to thank our 2024 sponsors for their contributions in helping our students achieve their aspirations, while committing to celebrating Indigenous business excellence.
VIP Reception Sponsor
Event Partners
Corporate Table Partners
And a special thank you for all who purchased individual tickets to attend or support our students.
Indigenous Business Education Partners
Room 374, Drake Centre
181 Freedman Cres.
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4 Canada
