Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

In this week’s The Globe and Mail 9-5 column, I share my thoughts on applying for a job with a less than ideal salary range. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gtFvjDi4

The winter solstice, with its longest night and the promise of returning light, gathers us to come together and cherish the warmth of connection. As we honor the holidays, we celebrate the joy of uniting with friends and family, drawing strength and comfort from the bonds that uplift us. This season reminds us of the beauty in shared traditions, the hope in new beginnings, and the deep value of togetherness as we welcome the light and all it brings. #WinterSolstice #WinterVibes #LongestNight #HappyHolidays #HolidaySeason #Togetherness #FamilyTime #WarmWishes

This is what decolonizing venture capital looks like. I recently went to Santa Fe for Raven Indigenous Capital Partners’ annual Impact Feast that brings LPs and portfolio companies together in ceremony. To mark Raven’s equity conversion into Animikii Inc. we needed to re-think colonial structures and Indigenize how we see a strengthening of our relationship. This meant: 📝 Have the convertible note legal text translated into Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe). This demonstrates the richness of our language and proves that it can go toe-to-toe with any colonial language. 🎨 Document the strengthening of this relationship by commissioning an Indigenous artist. I am proud to have my Uncle Bruce do this work for us (pictured above). Read the article linked for the full story. ✍️ Hold a signing ceremony in Santa Fe, NM — which was an incredible moment for Animikii. I’m so grateful I was able to do this together with my wife and Board member Robyn Ward who was present and witness to this important day! It was an important reminder of the work and dedication she has put into Animikii since the beginning. 🦅 Animikii and Raven also created  decolonized statements that described the meaning of the investment, which we both read aloud at the event. Here is a small part of Animikii’s statement of meaning: “Zaagi'idiwin ~ Love  - At Animikii, we know the Raven team values our ability to work at the edge of what is possible with technology while centering Love. We are always asking ourselves ‘what is the most loving thing to do?’ — We know the team at Raven does the same. It is on this foundation of Love that we celebrate the milestone today and recommit to a values-driven partnership for many years to come.” Read more about the acts of decolonization we took here: https://lnkd.in/eJvq82Ju #IndigenousTech #IndigenousDataSoverighty #IndigenousInnovation #ImpactInvesting #IndigenousBusiness

Big News! 2024 has been a memorable year for both Animikii Inc. and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. This spring the decision was made by the partners to convert their promissory notes into equity to support the continued growth of our company! Both parties navigated the western legal paperwork required to transform the funds into equity -  Jeff Ward and Paul Lacerte also shared a meal - to explore how they could recognize the financial transaction in a good way. This art piece was commissioned as part of Indigenizing the equity conversion process that took place between Animikii and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners this fall. A decolonized and Indigenized approach to the note conversion was co-created with four main features - read more about how Animikii and Raven are Indigenizing venture investing here: https://lnkd.in/gSByhKhp #IndigenousTech #IndigenousDataSoverighty #IndigenousInnovation #ImpactInvesting

Congratulations, RWI Synthetics, on an exciting 2024 🙌🏽 cc: Devon Krainer Myrna Bittner Dean Bittner

We've loved working with Pow Wow Pitch over the last few years. Congratulations to Naomi Sarazin, Sunshine Tenasco, and your teams on all your accomplishments in 2024!

SOC 2 achieved: Indigenous tech innovator @onefeatherapp is recognized in protecting sovereign Indigenous data. #trustedsecurity #indigenousdata cc: Paul Lacerte Stephen Nairne Jonas Hunter Mitch Langan https://lnkd.in/guCJNqd3

Last week Lars Boggild, CFA was in New Mexico. “I was honoured to be a guest on the territory of the Tewa in Santa Fe, New Mexico to participate in Raven Indigenous Capital Partners’ AGM and Impact Feast. It was a great moment to learn more about investing in Indigenous communities across Canada and the US. Particularly grateful to bear witness to an investment transaction integrating decolonized practices between Raven and Animikii Inc. Thanks to the Raven team, in particular Nicole Johnny, MBA and Althea Wishloff, for organizing."

It was a busy couple weeks! I was proud to be part of the U.S. delegation to Australia to support the work of First Nations X, launch First Nations House, attend West Tech Fest, speak at Commonwealth Bank investment panels, and activate the #blakangels with Consulate General Siriana Nair from the U.S. Consulate Perth. Thanks to all of these amazing organizations for hosting us and helping us learn how we can establish stronger, cross-border partnerships. It was humbling to hear the Indigenous stories, participate in traditions, and share meals with people who now feel like family. Shout out to my fellow delegates Nicole Johnny, MBA Dawn Houle Amanda Smith, MBA Eric Henson. An added blessing was being able to visit family in Sydney. I’ll take any opportunity to advance equity and access to capital for underrepresented First Nations communities. Australia has my heart. What a ride! Investors of Color Angel Capital Association Raven Indigenous Capital Partners SUNSINGER CONSULTING LLC Native American Business Association - NABA

#Retreat #AGM #ImpactFeast The Raven Team is still buzzing from this year’s AGM, Impact Feast and Venture Team Retreat. We welcomed dozens of investors, ecosystem partners and portfolio founders in the traditional Tewa territory of Santa Fe, New Mexico.    Thank you to Mr. Mark Mitchell of Tesuque Pueblo for welcoming us to the territory and to Nicole Johnny, MBA for being such a welcome host.    In a few short days, we:  ⭐ Celebrated the success of our portfolio companies, including Aaron Joe and Ollie James from Salish Soils, Cierra Gromoff and Robert Nealan at Kismet Health Inc, Logan Fraser and Chris Dean of HomeTeam Network, Jalene Kanani Hitzeman of NOHO HOME by Jalene Kanani, and Jeff Ward and Robyn Ward of Animikii Inc., in advancing the well-being of Native and Indigenous Peoples.  ✍🏽 Stephen Nairne and Jeff Ward signed the first ever convertible note document translated into Anishinaabemowin and commemorated the event with a painting done by Jeff’s uncle, Bruce Barry.  🥣 We enjoyed a traditional meal by Santa Clara Pueblo Chef, Ray Naranjo, and a traditional dance by the MaaTuu Dance Group (Pojoque Pueblo) at the Poeh Cultural Center and Museum. 🧡 Raven welcomed Traven Joseph, Carissa Sanchez and Kristi Thiele to our team, and congratulated Devon Krainer (Principal) on her promotion.    We are grateful for the Native Peoples on whose lands we gathered, to the Raven Limited Partners whom we got to celebrate with in person and virtually, and for the numerous ecosystem partners that joined us in supporting the Indigenous entrepreneurship ecosystem.