Shyra Barberstock, PhD

03/11/2026

One of my favourite parts of attending industry events is seeing community in action.

This week, Rye and I represented Kebaonish at the Restaurants Canada Show, and it was such a great experience.

We were proud to be part of the Indigenous Pavilion alongside other Indigenous entrepreneurs in the food and hospitality space. What stood out most to me was the spirit of support. Business owners helping each other, sharing advice, covering booths so someone could walk the show floor—it really felt like a community.

Over the three days we met so many wonderful people: restaurant owners, cafés, independent retailers, universities and colleges, and even venture capital and funding organizations.
A big thank you to FCC and Sysco for sponsoring the Indigenous Pavilion, and to Indigenous chef Chris Commandant for bringing the space together.

It was also great to see familiar faces from FCC, OMAFRA, and Grand & Toy who stopped by our booth.

I left feeling really inspired by the momentum of Indigenous food businesses right now.

Already looking forward to next year.

03/08/2026

Today I attended Women at Smith: Micro-Storytelling & Lunch at the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

It was a warm, fireside-style gathering where women faculty and staff shared short personal stories. Simple in format, but powerful in impact. It was a reminder of how meaningful it is to pause and listen to one another’s experiences.

As this is my first year as an Adjunct Professor at Smith, it felt especially meaningful to feel welcomed into such a thoughtful and supportive community of women.

My husband Rye attended the event with me, and afterward he shared a reflection that stayed with me:

“Women’s Day shouldn’t just be one day a year where women are recognized for their presence and contributions. It should be every day.”

I couldn’t agree more.

I am grateful to be part of a community that creates space for connection, reflection, and celebrating the voices of women.

03/05/2026

Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating, which is why gatherings like the Central Business Forum & Awards Dinner in Toronto, hosted by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, are so meaningful.

It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and colleagues and meet many new Indigenous entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who are building incredible businesses across the country. Being in a room filled with people who care deeply about economic development, community, and creating opportunities was truly inspiring.

Some highlights included the Lightning Talks by Mark Marsolais-Nehwegahbow (Birch Bark Coffee) and Jennifer Harper (Cheekbone Beauty), along with thoughtful panels on inclusive procurement, Indigenous economic development, and the future of Indigenous participation in major projects in Canada.

I was also especially inspired to see Darion Ducharme, Founder of Teqare, receive the Young Indigenous Entrepreneur Award. His dedication to social impact and his story of resilience were incredibly moving and a powerful reminder of the impact Indigenous entrepreneurs are creating in their communities.

I left feeling proud to be part of such a vibrant and growing Indigenous business community.

10/22/2025

Check out the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale this evening to watch Indigenous businesses pitch for the $25k grand prize!

I was honoured to be a judge this year (I was the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch winner for Kebaonish). I am truly inspired by the stories of all of these incredible founders.

Who will win?? You will need to watch to see!

🌟 Join Us for the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale Watch Party! 🌟

Today is the day! It's time to come together and celebrate the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of our community at the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale Watch Party! 🎉

Join us this evening at 6:00 PM ET for your chance to witness the culmination of months of hard work, innovation, and dedication from our talented Finalists. They've been on an incredible journey, and now it's time to show your support and cheer them on as they pitch their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business enthusiast, or simply want to support your community, this event is for you!

Don’t miss it and register now at powwowpitch.org/register or with the link in bio 🎊

Co-Presented by RBC & Mastercard

IndigE-girl Comedy, Backpacker's Ferry, Decolonize and Rize, Art Den by Annie, Eagle Orthopaedics, SproutSync Ltd, Kíwétinohk Consulting, FoodZen, PASS the SAGE, Reverence Basketball, miminisak, First-ory, White Bear Moccasins - Powwow Repairs, Kokums Helper Society, Bravo Solar & Wind LLC, Niña Waṡte Events, Bebia Cho Foods Co., Road Dawgz BBQ Snack Shack

10/16/2025

Kebaonish's Give Back Summer initiative is a campaign I am super proud of. We were able to raise $6,200 for Mohawk language learners at Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) in Tyendinaga. Chi Miigwech (a big thank you) to those in my network who purchased coffee and tea from us this summer and contributed to this meaningful initiative. Your support means the world to us!

🌿 Summer Give-Back Campaign Impact

This summer, from June 1 – August 31, 2025, Kebaonish donated $2 from every tea and coffee sold to support Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory’s culture and language centre.

Thanks to the collective efforts of Kebaonish, 3 Nations Traders, The Sacred Circle Gift Shoppe , and Bloom Local Food Fund, a total of $6,200 was raised to support adult Mohawk language learners.

We’re proud of the meaningful contribution this will make toward revitalizing the Mohawk language.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to 3 Nations Traders, The Sacred Circle Gift Shoppe, and Bloom Local Food Fund for partnering with us—and to all of you who purchased Kebaonish tea and coffee this summer. Your support helps keep language and culture thriving in community.

As a gesture of gratitude, we did one final draw for customers who participated in our Give-Back Summer campaign. The winner was Luci Dilkus from Tiny, Ontario. Congratulations Luci! We hope you enjoy your Kebaonish Unity Gift Box.

06/10/2025

I never imagined I’d one day be standing in the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), in front of tea and coffee from the company I co-founded. 💛

Kebaonish was incorporated on March 14, 2022. Today, we’re a proudly Indigenous and woman-led brand, based in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory—and available in stores across the country. 🇨🇦

These photos were taken during a special visit to the AGO last week. My sister Christine flew in from BC—we hadn’t seen each other in six years. We spent the day immersed in powerful Indigenous art, and Rye and I surprised her with a visit to the AGO gift shop… where she saw Kebaonish on the shelf. It was a proud, emotional moment. 🧡

Every purchase of Kebaonish gives back: supporting Indigenous language and culture revitalization, and providing royalties to the artists whose work appears on our packaging.

Thank you to everyone who continues to walk this journey with us. ✨

06/05/2025

One of my dreams for Kebaonish was to leverage our brand to give back to community. I'm proud to share that in honour of National Indigenous History Month, Kebaonish is launching 'Give-Back Month.' Our goal is to raise $10,000 for Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO), the Mohawk language culture and centre in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario.

We need your help to realize this goal. Here is how you can support us in this mission:
- Watch the video to learn more.
- Share this post widely with your network.
- Follow Kebaonish on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Buy Kebaonish coffee in the month of June - Save $8, and Kebaonish will donate $8 when you buy the Coffee Lovers Bundle - https://www.proudlyindigenous.com/products/coffee-bundle-indigenous-coffee-kebaonish. (Or save $2, donate $2 for individual bags of coffee).
- Follow Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na on social media and visit https://tto-kenhteke.org/ to learn more about their important work.

Nia:wen and Chi Miigwech (thank you) to our friends, family, partners, allies, and collaborators. Your support means the world!

Kebaonish is a 100% Indigenous-led tea and coffee company headquartered in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario. To learn more, visit https://www.proudlyindigenous.com.

06/03/2025

We didn’t start Kebaonish just to sell coffee.
We started it to reconnect — with language, with land, with each other. 🌱

This June, every bag of Kebaonish coffee you purchase does more than fuel your morning:

💰 You save $2
🧡 We donate $2 to support Mohawk language revitalization through Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na in Tyendinaga
🎁 And every coffee purchase enters you to win a Unity Box — filled with our best-loved blends and Indigenous-made gifts

Why support adult learners?
Because when they speak the language, they bring it home — to children, to family, to the future.

Let’s make every cup count.
Let’s help language live.

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eb4AzVvK

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05/01/2025

It was a proud day when the Art Gallery of Ontario became a retail partner to Kebaonish However, I am most excited for Melissa Brant, our friend and talented Mohawk artist from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario. Melissa’s beautiful artwork is featured on our coffee and tea packaging. The AGO is an incredible art gallery and I’m SO proud that Melissa’s artwork has found its way into the same building that houses world famous art in Toronto!!

If you’re in Toronto, you can now buy Kebaonish tea and coffee at the gift shop at the AGO.

We’re honoured to share that Kebaonish’s tea and coffee are now available at the - Art Gallery of Ontario - a place that celebrates creativity, culture, and community.

Each package is adorned with artwork by Melissa Brant, a gifted Mohawk artist from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, whose designs reflect the heart of our teachings and the beauty of Indigenous connection. To see our products on display in one of Ontario’s most respected art institutions is a powerful reminder that art, culture, and everyday ceremony belong together.

Chi-miigwech to everyone who supports Indigenous-owned businesses and honours the stories behind every cup. 🧡

She's High On Vibes

05/01/2025

Pow Wow Pitch is a great opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs! If you have a business and you’re looking to grow, I highly recommend this business pitch competition. As the winner from 2024, my advice is to go for it. Even if you’re nervous (totally normal!) do it anyway. You just never know, you could be the next winner and it’s a great opportunity to promote your business and join the network and alumni of Pow Wow Pitch. 😊

Calling all Indigenous entrepreneurs! 📣
Pow Wow Pitch 2025 is now open for registrations!

If you have a business idea, are growing your venture, or dreaming about taking your work to the next level — this is your chance. Pow Wow Pitch shines a spotlight on Indigenous vendors, artists, business builders, and innovators from across Turtle Island.

🌟 Start your journey with a simple 1-minute pitch
💸 Win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000
🏆 A total of $100,000 in cash prizes to be won
🗓 Deadline to apply: June 3, 2025

Need some inspiration?
Kebaonish Inc., founded by Dr. Shyra Barberstock and featured in our Ontario First Nations Gift Box, was last year’s Pow Wow Pitch Winner!
Shyra Barberstock, PhD
Pow Wow Pitch
You could be next!

Register now and share your brilliance: https://www.powwowpitch.org/pitch/

04/22/2025

I'm excited to share that I am a RBC Canadian Women of Influence+ 2025 Nominee! It is an honour to be nominated and I am grateful for the recognition.

04/15/2025

In business, there are always lessons. At Kebaonish, here is one of ours: We ordered too much whole bean coffee.

As a growing Indigenous, woman-owned business, we’re constantly learning and adapting. And one thing we’ve learned? Inventory management is both an art and a science.

So now, we’re offering a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal on our whole bean coffee. It’s high-quality, freshly roasted, and packaged with care in Canada.

If you’re a coffee lover, or want to support an Indigenous business, this is a great time to stock up—or even share with friends or co-workers.

✅ Buy 3 bags, get 1 free
💻 Shop the offer at https://www.proudlyindigenous.com (add 4 whole bean coffees to your cart and it will automatically add the discount).
🛍️ Offer ends May 31, 2025 or while supplies last!

Thanks for cheering us on—and for supporting our journey in business and in community.