INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD 2023

Watch the Recipients' films

AWARD OF DISTINCTION

The Award of Distinction for lifetime achievement (formerly the Individual Achievement  Award) is presented to a person who, over his or her career, has made a significant difference in the Indigenous business community through his or her entrepreneurial endeavours and, in doing so, serves as a leader, role model, mentor and inspiration. The individual may be an innovator in his or her business activities, a successful entrepreneur, or an individual who has been instrumental in supporting or creating Indigenous business activities in the province.

Past recipients are: 

  • 2023 Teara Fraser
  • 2022 Chief David Jimmie
  • 2021 Ken Cameron
  • 2020 Carol Anne Hilton 
  • 2019 Paulette Flamond 
  • 2018 Chief Gordon Planes 
  • 2017 Chief Gibby Jacob 
  • 2016 Robert Louie
  • 2015 James Walkus 
  • 2014 Councillor Garry Feschuk 
  • 2013 Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre and Ruth Williams 
  • 2012 Chief Councillor Garry Reece
  • 2011 Chief Clarence Louie 
  • 2010 Dolly (Watts) McRae and John Harper  
  • 2009 Dorothy Grant and Angelique Merasty Levac  
Award of Distinction

2023 AWARDEES

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The Ballantyne Project

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

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Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building

Business of the Year one to two person enterprise

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Totem Design House

Business of the Year three to 10 person enterprise

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Jelly Academy

Business of the Year 11+ person enterprise

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Sugar Cane Archaeology

Community-Owned Business of the Year one entity

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Tiičma Enterprises

Community-Owned Business of the Year two or more entities

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Shxw’ōwhámél-LandSea Limited Partnership (SLLP)

Business Partnership of the Year

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Teara Fraser

Award of Distinction

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LEARN MORE

Honouring excellence and inspiring achievement in Indigenous business and entrepreneurship throughout the province

The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program gives voice to Indigenous entrepreneurship while modelling success for other aspiring entrepreneurs to follow.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and our sponsorship family of organizations, businesses, community and media partners.

Read more about the 2023 IBA recipients here in the full press release. 

The 2023 IBA recipients were recognized at a formal gala dinner and presentation ceremony on Wednesday, November 1  at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Click here to watch the recording of the event. Click here to view the IBA recipient films on our YouTube channel.

I'd like to thank BC Achievement for this award and recognizing the work that I do and the vision I have. I'm a huge believer of stepping outside of your comfort zone and putting one foot in front of the other. The only way you're going to get what you want is stepping out of your comfort zone and just going for it.

2023 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Dwight Ballantyne

Thank you to our sponsors

Supporting Organizations

BC Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Metis Nation BC

Program Partner

Provincial Government of BC

Bursary Sponsor

Enbridge

Reception Title Sponsor

Presentation Sponsor

Teck

Program Alumni Sponsor

TD Bank

Awardee Sponsor

Anna Fung

Elders & Dancers Sponsor

Ovintiv

Film Sponsors

BC Hydro
CN
KPMG
West Fraser

Supporting Sponsor

Dentons
Fortis BC
Pacific Blue Cross
Telus

Media Sponsors

Global BC
Miss 604
Stir

Community Partners

BC Ferries
World Trade Centre Vancouver

Strategic Partnership

Bear's Lair

Wine Sponsor