Michelle Okere, MBA, CFRE is a distinguished Métis-Cree leader with roots in the Red River Settlement in Manitoba and Fort Belknap Indian Reserve in Montana. Michelle currently serves as the Executive Director of The Indigenous Prosperity Foundation (IPF). In this video from season 3 episode 8 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast, Michelle Okere shares how the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation is helping Indigenous women, youth, and early stage entrepreneurs access financial literacy, mentorship, grants, and capital across Canada. The conversation also goes deep on colonial barriers to wealth creation, why economic reconciliation is a rights issue, and how Indigenous-led design creates stronger programs and stronger communities. We discuss Michelle’s personal path, the founding and scaling of IPF, and the practical ways the organization works with Indigenous Financial Institutions, mentors, and community partners to support entrepreneurs from idea to investment readiness. Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ organizations across 3 continents to make the impact they care about. We feature established and emerging Gen-Z top global voices who are sharing how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts. This episode is available now on all the pod platforms with Links in the Comments. Key topics: In this episode, Michelle explains how her passion for Indigenous entrepreneurship led to her role as executive director of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation.She shares how her upbringing as Métis-Cree in Saskatchewan shaped her leadership style, resilience, and understanding of unequal opportunity. We discuss the long-term economic effects of colonial policies, including land dispossession, disenfranchisement, and barriers to home ownership and wealth transfer. Michelle breaks down why economic reconciliation is not charity, but a rights issue and a major economic opportunity for Canada. She outlines the main barriers Indigenous women and youth face in business: capital access, networks, mentorship, digital infrastructure, and culturally relevant support. We talk about how Indigenous entrepreneurs often lead with community, seven-generation thinking, food security, language revitalization, and stewardship rather than profit alone. Michelle describes how IPF was built from scratch, including early-stage infrastructure gaps, fundraising, and the significance of an early grant from Mastercard Foundation.She explains IPF’s role in the ecosystem alongside NACCA and Indigenous Financial Institutions, especially around capacity building and loan readiness.We discuss the Walking Together tour, which gathers direct community input from elders, nation representatives, and entrepreneurs. Michelle shares how IPF's "Launchpad" program combines self-directed learning, Indigenous mentors, cohorts, grant funding, and pitch readiness. We cover Money Smarts, a gamified financial literacy program built through an Indigenous worldview that rewards community-minded choices. She highlights the Early Stage Entrepreneurship Program and how in-person, locally delivered learning helps meet people where they are. Michelle shares several founder stories, including Bangin' Bannock, and how business can also become a vehicle for language, culture, and food security. She reflects on scaling a national organization while navigating unexpected pregnancy, parental leave, and the importance of strong systems. We close on why she has hope: Indigenous entrepreneurs are building in every sector and bringing Indigenous values into technology, AI, and the future of innovation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Michelle Okere 03:22 Michelle's Moment of Impact 06:52 Growing Up in Saskatchewan: Experiences That Shaped Michelle's Leadership 12:34 How Colonialism Still Shapes Indigenous Economic Opportunity Today 15:59 The Barriers Facing Indigenous Women & Youth Entrepreneurs in Canada 19:10 Why Community Impact & Sustainability Are Built Into Indigenous Business 25:06 How Indigenous Financial Institutions Are Breaking Down Barriers to Capital 30:37 Inside the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation & IPF "Launchpad" program 38:24 Money Smarts: Teaching Financial Literacy Through an Indigenous Worldview 49:15 Michelle's Leadership Lessons From Building an Organization From Scratch 57:15 How You Can Support Indigenous Entrepreneurs 01:00:30 What Gives Michelle Hope 01:01:58 Closing Thoughts #indigenous #canada #prosperity #impact #entrepreneurship
