Kendal Netmaker

Kendal Netmaker is an award-winning Indigenous keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author who inspires audiences across Canada and worldwide. Known for his powerful storytelling and message of resilience, Kendal delivers high-impact keynotes on leadership, overcoming adversity, and building a mindset for success. From growing up on Sweetgrass First Nation to becoming a nationally recognized entrepreneur, Kendal’s story motivates organizations, teams, and leaders to take action and keep moving forward.

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 has founded and invested in five businesses, including 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.

Kendal Netmaker - Speaking Presentations Powered By Indigenous Storytelling:

Resilience Keynote Speaker - Keep Moving Forward: From Poverty to Podium

In this powerful and inspiring keynote, Kendal Netmaker shares his life story — one shaped by adversity, resilience, and an unshakable belief that our past does not define our future.

Growing up in poverty on Sweetgrass First Nation, Netmaker faced challenges that could have easily derailed his path. Instead, he learned early on that progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about movement. Through Indigenous storytelling, Netmaker takes audiences on his journey from humble beginnings to becoming an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the world’s most requested Indigenous keynote speakers.

At the heart of this keynote is a simple but transformative message: no matter what you are facing, you can keep moving forward.

Netmaker weaves Indigenous values, real-world lessons, and lived experience into a narrative that resonates with leaders, teams, and communities alike.

Audience takeaways include:

• A practical mindset shift to reframe setbacks as stepping stones, not stop signs.
• Tools to build resilience during change, adversity, and high-pressure moments.
• Strategies to lead with purpose and values, even when circumstances are difficult.
• Renewed confidence to take responsibility for their own story and future.
• Action steps that can be applied same day to keep moving forward personally and professionally.
• Ideal for: Opening or closing keynote at conferences, corporate events, associations, education, Indigenous and community gatherings.

Leadership Keynote Speaker - The Leader Within: The Power to Keep Moving Forward

Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about choices. In “The Leader Within”, Kendal Netmaker inspires audiences to recognize that leadership begins from the inside out.

Drawing from his journey from poverty on Sweetgrass First Nation to becoming one of Canada’s most accomplished Indigenous entrepreneurs and keynote speakers, Netmaker shares real-world stories of resilience, accountability, and perseverance.

Audiences will learn how to:

• Discover the leader within themselves.
• Build resilience in the face of change and adversity.
• Take ownership of their actions, mindset, and future.
• Lead with purpose, authenticity, and courage.
• Keep moving forward — no matter the obstacles.

Ideal for: Leadership conferences, corporate events, education, Indigenous and community gatherings, and organizations navigating change]

Workshop: The Leader Within

Building resilience, accountability, and action

This half-day workshop offers participants a focused, interactive experience designed to translate inspiration into practical leadership action.

Through storytelling, guided reflection, and discussion, Kendal Netmaker helps participants explore what leadership looks like in their own lives — beyond titles or roles.

Attendee takeaways include:

• Greater self-awareness and clarity around personal leadership style.
• Practical strategies for building resilience during change and uncertainty.
• A stronger sense of accountability and ownership.
• Clear, actionable next steps to keep moving forward.

Ideal for: Teams, leaders, and high-performing professionals seeking practical tools to strengthen accountability, resilience, and day-to-day leadership effectiveness.

Keep Moving Forward (Custom Program) – For Your Organization, Conference Theme and Unique Objectives

Just imagine a keynote that could tie together this year’s theme, your core business objectives and leave your audience with the confidence and competence to keep moving forward by implementing all that they have learned at your event.

Let Kendal bring his extensive experience to your industry and craft a one-of-a-kind keynote that is just for you.

To check availability & book Kendal Netmaker, contact us.