A member of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation is realizing her vision of a national business competition TV series for Indigenous entrepreneurs, with more than 80 contestant submissions already received in advance of the reality show's application deadline of Friday, Feb. 4.
Geena Jackson pitched the concept to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) in August 2021 after founding several businesses of her own and working for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation in a role where she fostered economic development among Indigenous businesspeople.
"I thought to myself a decade ago, wouldn't it be cool if there was a show like Dragon's Den or Shark Tank where entrepreneurs don't lose capital and don't lose ownership in their project, and they showcase themselves nationally?" said Jackson. "And it's created by an Indigenous entrepreneur herself."
The Bear's Lair series will be broadcast by APTN in the fall of 2022. Over its episodes, 18 different Indigenous business owners will present to a panel of judges. On each of six pitch episodes, $10,000 will be awarded [1] and during the season finale, one business will win a grand prize of $100,000.
Jackson, who is a graduate of BCIT's journalism program, founded a production company, Sparkly Frog Clan Productions, to seek APTN's support for the project. "This is the first reality show that they've ever agreed to air," she said.
The program's status as a game show made the show ineligible for grants or public funding. Despite this, Jackson said that the concept has been quick to attract corporate sponsorships from companies, including Vancity Credit Union and the Business Development Bank of Canada.
The judges themselves are volunteering their time after being identified by Jackson as national role models for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The panel includes Dave Tuccaro, a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation who leads seven companies supporting the energy sector; Tabatha Bull, a member of the Nipissing First Nation who heads up the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; and Trent Fequet, an Inuk whose construction consortium was named Canada’s Fastest-Growing Startup in 2020. Jackson herself will occupy the fourth seat on the panel.
Jackson says that Bear's Lair will feature unique twists that reflect Indigenous culture. She identified "honesty, transparency, respect for protocols and respect for the land" among the values that can give any business a competitive advantage. Accordingly, behaviour on the show itself will look different from the cutthroat rivalries of other reality programming.
"There will be no belittling," she said. "There will be no making anyone feel bad on our program. We want to rise up. We want this to be a very positive experience. We're going to be coaching all of the entrepreneurs so that they feel comfortable. We're choosing entrepreneurs who have cultural values and who are bringing something to community that are making it better. We want to promote that."
Jackson points to the shíshálh Nation as a foundation of her success. "The shíshálh Nation is extremely progressive when it comes to assisting members with post-secondary, with starting their own businesses, and procuring their own companies for industry involvement," she said. "Chief Warren Paul is an amazing supporter of entrepreneurism and growth for the community."
When she received her traditional name, Tsetasiya, eight years ago, it seemed like the perfect fit: she was told it signified "providing for your community." Then she received an unexpected call from her aunt. "She said, 'Do you know what your name means? It just means bossy.'"
"Well, that makes sense," laughed Jackson.
Bear's Lair has been approved by APTN for two seasons. Its episodes will be filmed in Vancouver over several weeks in March.
