On February 27^th, The Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge presented by PotashCorp concluded with Helen Oro of Helen Oro Designs winning 1^st place and receiving $6,500 in start-up capital.

The Awards Gala, sponsored by SaskTel, had 6 entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of Judges, local Aboriginal entrepreneurs, sponsors, and U of S faculty. The top 3 participants were then awarded a total $10,000 based on their business plan and pitch.  The final results were as follows:

1^st Place $6500 – Helen Oro with Helen Oro Designs 

2^nd Place $3000 – Janelle Pewapsconias with Neeched Up Games

3^rd Place Entrepreneurial Award $500 – Josephine Awasis with Pawata Designs

Young Innovator Awards (Certificate) – Hannah Tootoosis and Victor Carter 

The panel of judges included Rick Stefanowski, Business Development Officer from the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, Tyler Case, Lecturer from the Edwards School of Business, Stephanie Yong the Director of the Wilson Centre (a hub for innovation & creative thinking), and Lisa Mooney, Senior Aboriginal Relations Specialist from PotashCorp. The night included Keynote Speaker, Heather Abbey, Founder and CEO of ShopIndig.ca, a previous winner of the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge. Heather shared her story and the challenges she has had to face over the years as a young Aboriginal entrepreneur. 

For more information on the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge presented by PotashCorp, please visit: www.enactussask.com/projects/ayic/

For more information on Helen Oro and Helen Oro Designs please visit: https://www.facebook.com/HelenOroDesigns/info/

For more information on Janelle Pewapsconias and Neeched Up Games please visit:
http://www.neechedupgames.com

# # #

Media Contact: Keenan Davreux
Director of Marketing 
Enactus University of Saskatchewan
keenan.davreux@usask.ca
(306)- 221-2550

About Enactus University of Saskatchewan

Enactus is a student run, not-for-profit organization that creates outreach programs to address social, economic, and environmental issues within the community.  We are part of an international organization spanning 1,600 university campuses in 36 countries. Enactus offers students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, in hopes of improving the livelihoods of others in the process. For further information about Enactus University of Saskatchewan please visit, www.enactussask.com