NSB Logo Kendal Netmaker Kendal Netmaker

Kendal Netmaker

Speaker Featured

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Indigenous Entrepreneur and Author, Driven to Succeed

Kendal Netmaker speaks professionally to thousands of people worldwide on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story. He is a leading entrepreneur, the founder of Neechie Gear®, the author of Driven To Succeed, and has received over 25 business awards. Kendal is DRIVEN to share his story and help motivate and build resilient leaders and organizations.

Performance & Productivity Business & Workplace Education Human Rights & Social Change Youth & Campus Leadership Motivation & Inspiration

In the News

Kendal Netmaker in the media January 1, 2026

Keynote Speeches

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

Attendees will learn:

  • 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 they can apply the same day to keep moving forward personally or professionally

Ideal for: Opening or Closing Keynote at conferences, corporate events, associations, education, Indigenous and community gatherings.

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, Kendal shares real-world stories of resilience, accountability, and perseverance.

Attendees will learn:

  • 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.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.
HALF DAY 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 helps participants explore what leadership looks like in their own lives—beyond titles or roles.

Attendees will learn:
• Greater self-awareness and clarity around personal leadership style
• Practical strategies for building resilience during change and uncertainty
• 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.

Audience reviews:

  • It was an absolute pleasure to work with Kendal and welcome him as a keynote speaker… 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. - Senior Manager, TD Bank Group
  • 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! - Client Relations Specialist, TEC Canada
  • What a pleasure to have Kendal bring the keynote address at our Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference. He is a riveting story teller with a powerful message that motivates and uplifts. His wisdom exceeds his years and he leaves you feeling inspired to be a better version of yourself. - CEO, Tourism Saskatchewan
  • 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. - Tax Specialist, Ernst & Young LLP
  • Kendal is a brilliant speaker. He is dynamic, powerful and entertaining. He shares his business experiences and expertise through real life stories that are inspirational and motivational. Your audience will walk away with a new enthusiasm and with a to-do list of actions they can take immediately to achieve even greater success. With Kendal on your agenda, he is sure to be the highlight of your event! - Marketing and Executive Manager, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
  • 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. - Director of Outreach and Speechwriting, Department of National Defence
  • Kendal Netmaker is not only a dynamic speaker, he engaged with our staff. Kendal’s talk revealed how anyone can overcome adversity in life by discovering your own core values as a leader. We received nothing but numerous of positive comments regarding Kendal’s ability to connect with the audience for duration of his presentation. The overall survey of our team was a superior level of satisfaction. We would recommend Kendal Netmaker to any group. - COO, First Nations Financial Management Board
  • It was wonderful to have Kendal at Laurentian University this year. Inspirational and a wonderful example of what one can achieve! We’re looking forward to having him back in the future! - Associate Vice-President of Academic & Indigenous Programs, Laurentian University

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Speaker Books

Driven to Succeed
Driven to Succeed

Speaker Biography

Kendal Netmaker is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and gifted keynote speaker who is on a mission to empower and motivate people worldwide by sharing his story that regardless of where you come from and what challenges you face, you have the power to enact change.

From Sweetgrass First Nation, Kendal and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t easy for them, growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few chances for opportunities, but one moment would change their life forever.

Kendal has a natural gift; he’s a master storyteller who weaves his real-life experiences into motivating lessons that everyone can use in their own lives. His heartfelt stories are impactful, and he speaks professionally to thousands of people each year on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story.

He is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. To date, Kendal has founded and invested in 5 businesses. One of them is Neechie Gear® – a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to go toward funding underprivileged youth to empower them to take part in sports. He is the author of Driven To Succeed and won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40® and runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year.

Kendal lives with his wife and two children in Saskatoon, SK, where he continues to run his company. He delivers virtual and in-person keynotes, as well as executive leadership coaching to organizations.

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