Founding Sponsor

The British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards

Due to the many requests received for a deadline extension, submission deadline is the week of November 17th.

The British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the province's Aboriginal business sector and their contribution to the economy of British Columbia.

In their inaugural year, these awards will honour business acumen in seven categories. An independent jury of Aboriginal business experts will review the nominations and select the recipients in accordance with the awards' criteria. The awards will be presented at a Gala Event in January 2009, celebrating the substantial and growing role of Aboriginal business in our province.

All Aboriginal people involved in business in British Columbia should consider entering these awards. Whether you are a small business owner or a sole proprietor running a business out of your home, managing a large staff of a community-owned enterprise or creating opportunities through a joint venture agreement, or you are growing a business from the ground up as an entrepreneur, these awards will recognize and celebrate your achievements.

The award categories allow for the unique strengths and diversity within the business community and recognize motivation, focus and achievable goals. The BC Aboriginal Business Award recipients will serve as an example of excellence and inspiration while showcasing best practices to be shared amongst all business people, whether they are those already involved in business or those considering a business career.

The inaugural British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards have been made possible through the sponsorship and initiative of the British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Award Categories

Business of the Year Awards
Businesses must be at least 51 per cent Aboriginal-owned and operated. The Business of the Year Award recognizes business achievement and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit in three categories:

a one-to-two person enterprise

a two-to-10 person enterprise

a 10 or more person enterprise

Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year
Young Male Entrepreneur of the Year
The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes achieved success in the start-up and operation of a new or existing business. Entrants must be under 30 and awards will be presented to both a male and female youth entrepreneur of the year.

Joint Venture Business of the Year Award
The Joint Venture Award promotes and celebrates efforts that contribute to the economic well-being of the area; increase the employment of Aboriginal people; provide learning or training opportunities to Aboriginal people and businesses; and show a commitment to the community in which they operate. The joint venture can be with either an Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal partner.

Community-Owned Business of the Year Award
Businesses must be 100 percent community-owned to be eligible for this award. Community-owned ventures have become a model for economic development in many communities throughout the province. This award will recognize the leadership and celebrate the contribution this unique business undertaking has made to capacity building and strong economic foundations in British Columbia's Aboriginal communities and the wider economy.

Eligibility

All nominees must be Aboriginal people or businesses (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Entrants may self-submit or be nominated. Individuals are welcome to nominate themselves for a BC Aboriginal Business Award or be nominated by a second party.

You may enter only one category.

Please ensure that if you are nominating a business or a business person for an award that you have the business' or business person's approval for the nomination

If unsuccessful, an entrant may apply again the next or future years. Past award recipients may only submit a nomination after five years have passed.

Non-profit or charitable groups, government agencies and institutions are not eligible for these awards.

Award Criteria

The jury panel will evaluate submissions guided by the viability, sustainability and competitiveness of your business.

Why nominate/participate in a BC Aboriginal Business Award?

In British Columbia's competitive and changing marketplace, it is important to focus on ways to set your business apart from the rest. The role of Aboriginal business in our provincial economy needs to be profiled and celebrated. Winning a BC Aboriginal Business Award can benefit your business' internal and external operations in the following ways:

Recipients of these awards are honoured at a high profile awards gala and featured in a video presentation and souvenir program distributed widely throughout the province.

Being recognized by your peers from all over British Columbia will position your business, small or large, as a leader to current and potential customers, as well as to your employees and the community at large.

A great morale booster for employees, providing opportunity for their efforts to be formally recognized.

Preparing the nomination provides an occasion to take stock of your goals and objectives, providing a measure to evaluate your progress.

How do I enter the BC Aboriginal Business Awards?

Please complete a nomination form and send along with the following:

A two-part business statement including the nature and overview of your business.

Two reference letters from individuals who can describe the impact and value of your business

Optional supporting documents - up to five additional pages of further testimonials, career resume, certificates, media coverage may be submitted in the nomination package.

Selection of Award Recipients

An independent panel of judges representing Aboriginal business expertise throughout British Columbia will adjudicate the BC Aboriginal Business Awards. The judges' panel will be solely responsible for the review, evaluation and selection of award-recipients and their selection will be final.

Award Recognition

In January 2009, award recipients will attend a gala ceremony in Vancouver and receive a commemorative honour marking the inaugural presentation of the British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards.

Privacy Policy

The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is committed to protecting the privacy of people through responsible management of information received. Submissions are confidential between the submittor and the awards' program. To view the complete privacy policy, visit www.bcachievement.com or call the office for a copy.

Advisory Board

Marlane Christensen
President, Industry Council for Aboriginal Business

Dr. John David Claxton
Ch'nook Aboriginal Business Education
UBC Sauder School of Business

Virginia Greene
President and CEO
Business Council of British Columbia

Peter Lantin
Chair, Aboriginal Business Network Solutions

Catherine Osler
Chair, Women's Enterprise Centre of BC

Chief Sophie Pierre
St. Mary's Indian Band

Peter Wealick
President, Aboriginal Computer Solutions

Representation from provincial First Nations leadership organizations

Representation from Métis Nation BC

Representation from the British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Representation from the British Columbia Achievement Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the definition of a business?
A. A business is an entity designed to provide goods and/or services to consumers.

Q. Can the business statement (parts 1 and 2) be in point form?
A. Yes, in a readable style.

Q. What is the definition of a joint venture business?
A. A joint venture is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. The parties agree to create a new entity by both contributing equity, and they then share in the revenues, expenses and control of the enterprise.

Q. Can you or your business be nominated in more than one category?
A. No, you or your business can only be nominated in one category. Entries should choose the category which best represents and highlights their successes.

Q. Does a certain percentage of a joint venture have to be Aboriginal-owned?
A. No, but one of the joint venture partners must be Aboriginal.

Q. Does the business have to be registered?
A. No, but the business must provide goods and/or services to consumers.

Q. If I am 30 years old can I enter the Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award category?
A. No, the youth category has been defined as under 30.

Q. Can I send in the nomination package electronically?
A. No, please submit your completed nomination package with all supporting documents to the BC Aboriginal Business Awards' contact address located on the nomination form.

Q. Is there a fee for entering?
A. No, there is no fee for entering.

Q. When will award recipients be notified?
A. The award recipients will be announced at the beginning of December 08.

Q. Where will the award recipients be published?
A. Award recipient postings will appear on the British Columbia Achievement Foundation website and distributed to the provincial media.

Q. When identifying the number "persons" the business enterprise employs, and selecting the category under Business of the Year which is dependent on employee numbers, should occasional employees be included in the total?
A. No. Please identify full or part-time permanent staff only. If there are times that you increase the number of employees for short periods of time this can be included in your business statement section.

Gala Presentation Event: January 27, 2009

Gala Presentation Event information