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Kendal Netmaker

Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Author, and Indigenous Speaker

Kendal Netmaker Headshot Feb 2024
Speaker Reel
Kendal
Kendal Netmaker Headshot Feb 2024
Speaker Reel

An award-winning entrepreneur and author, Kendal Netmaker is a master storyteller who uses his natural gift to help people shift their mindset and find the success they seek. He speaks professionally to thousands of people worldwide on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story, weaving his real-life experiences into motivating lessons that empower and build more resilient leaders and organizations.

From Sweetgrass First Nation, Netmaker and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t easy growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few opportunities, but one moment changed his life forever. In grade five, he and his best friend shared a love of sports, but his family couldn’t afford extracurricular activities. So, his friend’s family stepped in. They paid the fees and drove him to his games and practices. It wasn’t until he was older that Netmaker understood exactly what this family did for him, and how different his life would have been without them. It’s this that has motivated him throughout his life and drives him still to this day.

Today, Netmaker is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. He is the founder of Neechie Gear, a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to help underprivileged youth take part in sports. Netmaker has won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” and being runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year. He is also the author of Driven to Succeed: From Poverty to Podium.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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Client reviews

  • Kendal is an incredibly inspirational speaker. We had asked him to speak at our townhall of over 100 professional staff. The staff loved him and the positive messages he communicated. Fun, heartwarming yet challenging messages on how everyone can overcome any challenges they face, be successful and make a positive impact on the world around them. I would highly recommend him for any speaking engagement.

  • Our team had the privilege of spending time with Kendal.  It was an in-depth conversation on diversity and inclusion, without being academic or unrealistic.  Kendal’s authenticity in sharing his gifts created a compelling shared experience, he left us with “today is not for nothing”, “forgiving on the fly”, and the possibility of being someone’s gateway.  We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Kendal, I look forward to continued conversations.

  • Kendal’s keynote presentation to our leadership group was inspirational and actionable. I personally took pages of notes that I refer to regularly – it was some of the most valuable time that I spent during our conference! I really appreciated Kendal’s openness and vulnerability while using his own examples of how leading with respect and humility will help you achieve whichever goals you have for yourself. Thank you Kendal for leading by example and for sharing that example with all of us.

  • Kendal was our keynote for our virtual Economic Partnership Summit.  His message is so important for encouraging Indigenous entrepreneurship and inspiring youth.  After our session we received many phone calls that our guests grew up in a similar situation as Kendal and they were very inspired and moved by his words.  More people need to hear Kendal’s message whether that be to inspire them if they are in a similar situation or for others so that they have a greater understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people.

  • We had the pleasure of working with Kendal at the Best of Calgary event we sponsored. His keynote was not only touching and motivating, but also funny and light hearted. He had the crowd experience a vast mix of emotions and kept them engaged at all times. After the keynote was over, you could hear the mumble in the crowd talking and reflecting on all the ways Kendal’s keynote touched their hearts and moved them. We had members of the audience ask for his contact info so that they could book him at their next event! Kendal is such a humble and well-rounded human being, it is always such a pleasure to interact with him. Thank you again, Kendal! We hope to be able to work with you again soon!

  • Kendal gave a keynote at our annual town hall – an event with more than 200 public affairs staff from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. The audience was visibly moved by Kendal’s story – he was genuine, authentic and positive. He brought personal insight into overcoming adversity and offered constructive advice that applies to nearly every context – even the military one! Kendal is a talented speaker and it was an absolute privilege to host him.

  • Kendal is one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs I have had the opportunity to work with. His commitment to his business, his passion and purpose driven goals are evident in everything he does. It has been such an honour to have known Kendal since the early days of Neechie Gear, and to see how much he has given back to the community through his mentoring of youth, entrepreneurs and using his story to show us all that with drive and determination – you can achieve anything!

  • It was an absolute pleasure to work with Kendal and welcome him as a keynote speaker to our recent National Indigenous Speaker Series event. Kendal is an amazing speaker, delivering powerful messages in a very authentic, passionate and compelling way. His own personal story of perseverance, resiliency, success and the power of kindness is nothing short of inspiring! I’d highly recommend Kendal for your next leadership event!

  • I just wanted to follow-up and thank you again for presenting at our Shell business plan session last week. I found your messages and delivery very powerful and I’ve had many team members mention the highlight of the session was your segment. I asked the team to order copies of your book for our leadership group.

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