Indigenous-owned chip company in Manitoba will soon be on store shelves across Canada
People across the country could soon be experiencing a chip that was created by a Manitoba-based, Indigenous-owned company.
Alfred Lea, who started the Native Canadian Chip Corporation, created Tomahawk Chips in 2015.
The chips have mainly been sold in Manitoba, Ontario, California and on Amazon, but that will soon change thanks to a partnership with Star Wholesale Ltd., which is a national distributor based in Calgary.
"You have to work hard, you just have to keep going, you can never give up," said Lea. "That's what I tell young people, if you're going to do something, you're the main driver, you drive it; don't let anyone else steer you away."
The Riverton, Man.-based company currently has five flavours of chips that are sold at a variety of stores.
While the chips are a growing product, Lea said they are looking to expand the brand and offer more products.
"We'd like to do jerky, some corn chips, popcorn, et cetera."
He said they like to create their own recipes for the products and use Indigenous producers as well.
"I take this business seriously because you're getting people to follow you and if you fail, they fail."
Some of the flavours of Tomahawk Chips that will be available throughout Canada. July 27, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Some of the flavours of Tomahawk Chips that will be available throughout Canada. July 27, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Lea added he currently employs around 20 people and with this new national partnership, he plans to double his workforce.
He also has plans to expand his chip brand outside of Canada.
"I just came from a trade show in Las Vegas and it went very well, so we are expanding very quickly in the U.S."
Lea added he has also sent test samples to China and has received interest from Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.
Some Tomahawk Chips flavours. July 27, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Some Tomahawk Chips flavours. July 27, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Another project Lea is working on is mentoring Indigenous youth through Friendship Centres in First Nation communities.
He is taking his business experience and helping kids with their business ideas.
"I just open doors for them and give them opportunities to meet other business people," he said, noting the youth are already very sharp people.
He said the advice he gives people is they have to be prepared to work hard and they can do anything they want, they just have to apply themselves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.