The 2010 British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards

Submission deadline: September 24, 2010

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

These awards honour business acumen in seven categories. An independent jury of Aboriginal business experts review the nominations and select the recipients in accordance with the awards' criteria.

All Aboriginal business people in British Columbia are eligible for 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 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 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.

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
To be eligible for this award, businesses must be 100 percent community-owned. This award will 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).

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.

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. Recognition by your peers and the community will position your business as a leader to current and potential customers, as well as to your employees and the community-at-large.

How Do I Enter the BC Aboriginal Business Awards?

The 2010 Call for Submissions form is available here (pdf, 604k).

Information for Nominators

Should the nominator (or nominee) require assistance with the "Nomination Package Requirements", the Foundation staff is available to assist with its completion.

When is the Deadline for Submissions?

September 15, 2010.

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

Subject to confirming final details, in the fall of 2010, award recipients will attend a gala ceremony in Vancouver and receive a commemorative honour marking the second 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 nominee/nominator and the awards' program. To view the complete privacy policy, clickhere or call the office for a copy.

2010 Advisory Board

Jacob Beaton
President, CopperMoon Communications Inc.

Marlane Christensen
President, Industry Council for Aboriginal Business

John Claxton
UBC Professor Emeritus, Ch'nook Aboriginal Business Education

Paulette Flamond
Executive Director, Northeast Aboriginal Business & Wellness Centre

Dorothy Grant
Dorothy Grant Ltd.

Virginia Greene
President and CEO, Business Council of BC

Peter Lantin
COO, Tribal Resources Investment Corporation

Laurel Douglas
CEO, Women's Enterprise Centre of BC

Judith Sayers
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Faculty of Business, University of Victoria

Supporting Organizations

The BC Aboriginal Business Awards are supported by:

BC Assembly of First Nations

First Nations Summit

Métis Nation BC

Union of BC Indian Chiefs

BC Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Award Sponsors

BC Hydro – Founding Sponsor
Encana
BC Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

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 in October 2010.

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.