Kotawân Media, Tyler Mcleod
Kotawân Media’s founder and owner is Tyler Mcleod, a proud Duncan’s First Nation member with Nîhiyaw (Plains Cree), Dane-zaa (Beaver), and Scottish ancestry. Kotawân Media exists to amplify indigenous voices, opportunities, and reconciliation through visual storytelling. Founded in 2021 as an indigenous-owned and operated full-service videography company in British Columbia, Kotawân has since grown to include three additional editors and storytellers and is proud to have delivered projects for public sector partners such as BC First Nations Justice Council, First Nations Health Authority, BC ATEAM; the Songhees, and Cowichan First Nations; and industry partners like NEȾOLṈEW̱, Animikii, and Knit with Purpose.
Tyler is committed to building a decolonized future through entrepreneurship or helping indigenous-focused organizations communicate effectively. His background combines practical and academic; graduating with a BBA in Marketing Communications Management in 2015 from Camosun College and hopping into a career of providing digital transformation consulting to indigenous peoples from Botswana to here in Canada for the better part of the decade.
Inspired by the ideas of digital and data sovereignty, and his love for videography he recognized the gap in services his indigenous technology clients were encountering in finding creative resources, Kotawân Media was born with the express intent to bring the power of visual storytelling to our own narratives. NEDC was pivotal in the establishment and growth of Kotawân Media as they provided much-needed funding for initial capital expenses, and later, expansion costs.
Other Success Stories
Thunderbird Eats: Bringing Innovation and Tradition Together
Food & Drink | Port Alberni, BC
Thunderbird Eats was born from a shared love of candy between mother-daughter team Sherri Cook of Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Saryta Dick, who is from both …
A Modern Fairy Tale – Briar Rose Beauty
Aesthetic & Personal Care | Comox, BC
For Sarah Merrill, founder of Briar Rose, beauty has always been about more than appearance, it’s about confidence, connection, and empowerment. Sarah, …
Where Care Becomes Artistry – Vi Beautify Studio
Bridal Beauty | Nanaimo, BC
Ashley Porter is the founder and owner of Vi Beautify Studio and is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesasne. She moved to Nanaimo before starting school and …
Building Businesses Rooted in Culture and Community – Alissa Assu
Retail | Campbell River, BC
Alissa Assu’s story is rooted in strong cultural identity and family. She was registered to the Nisga’a Nation through her grandfather, with deep ties to …