MERRITT – The Awardees of the twelfth annual Indigenous Business Awards (IBA) were recently announced by the BC Achievement Foundation, the program’s presenting organization. This November, the Awardees will be celebrated in a series of digital campaigns and films honouring their achievements.
Anne Giardini is Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation
“Each year, the Indigenous Business Award program recognizes Indigenous enterprises that create and expand opportunities, relationships and communities, all with the goal of a more inclusive and prosperous future,” said foundation Chair, Anne Giardini. “I am particularly inspired by this year’s Awardees. All of them exemplify resilience and innnovation during this time of challenges. This year’s Awardees demonstrate that integrating the practices of the past with the economies of the future benefits us all.”
The IBA program was launched in 2008 to honour and celebrate business excellence and, in its 12th year, boasts over 200 remarkable businesses within its alumni. A total of eight Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises will be recognized from across the province of BC.
Selection of the Awardees was made by members of the 2020 jury panel, which includes Kim Baird, Jacob Beaton, Jessie Ramsay and Laurie Sterritt.
The Indigenous Business Award program is presented by BC Achievement in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and is generously supported by: Program Sponsor – TD Bank Group; Category Sponsors – Enbridge, New Relationship Trust, Ovintiv Inc., Teck, Vancity and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Supporting Sponsors – ANTCO, BC Hydro, BC Transit, CN, FortisBC and Shaw; and Media Sponsors – BIV, CFNR and First Nations Drum.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 to celebrate community service, arts, humanities and enterprise.
2020 Indigenous Business Awardees
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Longhouse Media, Langley
Business of the Year – one-to-two person enterprise:
Raven Reads Books Ltd., Merritt
Business of the Year – three-to-ten person enterprise:
Sḵwálwen Botanicals, Brackendale
Business of the Year – 11+ person enterprise:
OneFeather Technologies, Victoria
Community-Owned Business of the Year – one entity:
Alkali Resource Management Ltd., Alkali Lake
Community-Owned Business of the Year – two or more entities:
Lil’wat Holdings Limited Partnership, Mount Currie
Business Partnership of the Year:
Nupqu Resource Limited Partnership, Cranbrook
Outstanding Business Achievement:
Top of the Line Catering, Burns Lake
Detailed information about the award and a list of past awardees is posted on the Foundation’s website.