A Sudbury chocolatier is being recognized for her work by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
The national Indigenous tourism organization named chef Tammy Maki the 2024 Extraordinary Female Entrepreneur during this year’s awards gala, held during the organization’s annual conference on Feb. 28 in Algonquin Anishinaabeg Territory (Ottawa).
Maki is the owner of Raven Rising – Global Indigenous Chocolate, a boutique chocolate e-commerce store, with a storefront in downtown Sudbury, that collaborates directly with Indigenous businesses and individuals, and sources its ingredients locally and from Canadian businesses.
The Extraordinary Female Entrepreneur Award is given to “an Indigenous entrepreneur within the tourism industry who demonstrates a commitment to uplifting other women in her industry, embodying leadership within her business and/or community.”
Maki, a Red Seal chef, launched Raven Rising in 2020 upon returning to Ontario after several years working at some of the top restaurants, resorts, hotels, and bakeries across Canada.
She infuses her confections with traditional ingredients, like red hairy skunk current and wild bergamot, and uses sustainable chocolate and cacao berries in her recipes.
Originally from the White Bear First Nation in Saskatchewan, Maki and her siblings were taken from their home during the Sixties Scoop, and as such, Maki donates a portion of her company’s proceeds to organizations that support individuals who have been impacted by the Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Canada’s Residential School system.
She additionally funds a $1,500 scholarship for students in the Bakery and Pastry Arts Management program at George Brown College in Barrie.
