POCAM National Indigenous History Month 2024 Profile: Kaeden Merasty
Written By: Deyra Jaye Fontaine, Steering Committee member at POCAM - People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing
Kaeden Merasty (he/him) is the founder and CEO of The Indigenous Marketing Company, an agency that focuses on helping Indigenous people achieve economic independence through holistic digital marketing solutions.
"Marketing offers opportunities for individuals with varying levels of education and experience to enter the field. While higher education and experience can lower barriers, it is possible to start with no prior background," Kaeden says. "My personal experience has been relatively easy since I created my own path to success."
Kaeden founded his company in 2021 with a commitment to providing Indigenous organizations with a platform to market themselves effectively and amplify Indigenous voices in the industry.
"I understand and recognize that Indigenous peoples still need to fight for equal opportunities in today’s society," Kaeden notes. "That’s why I went to university to obtain my Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree with a focus on marketing and international business. I knew education would provide me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to create promising economic opportunities for Indigenous communities."
While representation within the advertising and marketing industry has improved, Kaeden notes that there is still work to be done.
"There are few agencies that dedicate their services to the Indigenous population," Kaeden points out. "I advocate for more Indigenous representation in marketing to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are heard and celebrated."
It’s clear that Kaeden is passionate about caring for his loved ones and fostering relationships with colleagues and clients. "I cherish the professional relationships I've formed and the incredible individuals I've had the privilege to work with," he says.
"My most rewarding project in the past year has been raising my one-year-old son," Kaeden says proudly. "It brings me more joy than anything else to see him constantly learning and developing new skills."
Kaeden is Cree from Flying Dust First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory, but he now calls Winnipeg home. I asked Kaeden if he’d like to share a word or phrase in his traditional language and he chose this: Mino-Pimatisiwin, which means “the good life”.
A big thank you to Kaeden Merasty for sharing his story.
Make sure to follow Kaeden on LinkedIn to keep up with him and the latest projects at The Indigenous Marketing Company.
