EntrepreNorth

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Benjamin Scott | Project Director

Benjamin Scott is a member of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation and a true Northerner at heart. He has a passion for supporting organizations to redefine business practice through an Indigenous worldview, and sharing business knowledge and tools to help build entrepreneurial leadership and capacity within communities. In addition to his role as Project Director of EntrepreNorth, in his spare time, Benjamin offers strategic business services through Feed the Fire Business Consulting to support Indigenous focused organizations on pathways to economic self-determination, resurgence and resilience. Prior to diving into entrepreneurship, Benjamin worked alongside First Nation communities to improve homes, save energy, and reduce costs, and spent about ten years working in government in a number of management roles targeted at maximizing benefits for Northerners, closing gaps in the labour market, and leading the development of territory-wide skills and postsecondary education strategies. He holds a MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership from SFU, a BA in Urban Studies from UofC, a Leadership Certificate from UofA, and is an Action Canada Fellow Alumni.

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Misty Ireland | Associate Director 

Misty is a Dehcho Dene. She was born in the Northwest Territories (NT) and is a member of the Tthets’e’hke’deli First Nation, more commonly referred to as the Jean Marie River First Nation. The ‘Dene’ perspective is an integral part of her life and the way she views the world around her. 

Misty has certificates in Business, Leadership, and Indigenous Trust Officer Management, and prior learning in Psychology and Environmental Management. She has worked in the Tourism Sector, Municipal Government, Territorial Government, and Aboriginal Government. She currently sits on the Dehcho Investment Management Board and previously held appointments to the NWT Species at Risk Committee and the NWT On the Land Collaborative.  

Misty is an entrepreneur and the sole proprietor of Dene Roots, a small business specializing in smudge sprays, handmade essential oil products, and wildcrafted goods. Misty is a proud mother of one child and enjoys spending her free time with family and friends. All these experiences contribute to the positive attitude and calm grounded energy that Misty brings to all that she does.

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Xina Cowan | Community Manager

​Xina spent the first 29 years of her life in Montréal, QC and now calls Yellowknife, NWT home. After studying Human Relations at Concordia University, she moved to the Eeyou Itschee Cree community of Wemindji in 2013 and began her career in Indigenous leadership and community building. Since then, Xina’s work has taken her all across the North. As EntrepreNorth’s Community Manager, her focus is marketing and communications, community engagement and partnership development. She is the host of EntrepreNorth's podcast series Venture Out and is in the process of becoming an ICF-Certified Coach. 
 
Prior to this position, Xina was the Development Manager for Indigenous projects at Youth Fusion – a non-profit that aims to increase scholastic perseverance. Xina was also the Editor-In-Chief of the Indigenous online magazine WIOT. Her (not so) side passion is promoting Indigenous fashion designers and artists. She is a Community Outreach Associate for Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) and is particularly invested in supporting the incredible talent coming from the North. Her heritage is Irish, Scottish, and Mohawk. 

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Jordee Reid | Program Manager

​Jordee Reid was born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She comes from a Chipewyan family that instilled in her to be proud of her culture and to give back to her community. As a lifelong Northerner, the North and its prosperity is very close to Jordee’s heart. As EntrepreNorth's Program Manager, her focus is program management, program development, and research and development.
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Jordee has an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree from Royal Roads University - specializing in Environmental Practices and Professional Communication. She is also a recent graduate from the Community Indigenous Language Revitalization (CILR) Program through Aurora College and the University of Victoria. As part of this program, Jordee began her lifelong journey of learning her traditional language of Dënesųłıné! Language is a large part of cultural identity, and for Jordee, the CILR program has helped inspirit her as a resilient Indigenous woman.
 
Jordee is an avid dog musher. In the winter months, she travels the sled dog racing circuit with her husband and twin sons. She also plays an active role in her family’s dogsled tour business, Tugah Northern Experiences. Additionally, she is the President of the Yellowknife Dog Trotters Association and volunteers on the organizing committee for the Canadian Championship Dog Derby, a prestigious sled dog race held annually at the end of March.