First Nations Art Award

Photo: Leigh Joseph, Skwálwen Botanicals, 2020 Indigenous Business Award recipient Sḵwálwen Botanicals exemplifies the profound intersection between sustainability and Indigenous business practices. Based in Squamish, Sḵwálwen Botanicals is a recipient of the 2020 Indigenous Business Award, showcasing its dedication to both cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.  Skwálwen creates small batch botanical skincare products based on Indigenous plant science while honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge. Its products incorporate wild harvested plants with organic, high-quality ingredients. As an ethnobotanist and scientist, founder, and PhD candidate, Leigh Joseph leads ...

OneFeather, an Indigenous-owned technology company, continues to revolutionize the Indigenous experience through a unique blend of tradition and innovation. With a strong foundation in First Nations values and principles, OneFeather offers a range of digital services aimed at modern nation-building, including election and voting services, data sovereignty, community engagement, and comprehensive banking solutions for individuals. Having already made significant strides in supporting over 190 First Nations and Métis Nations across Canada, serving a community of 230,000 members, OneFeather recently unveiled its latest tool – the ...

Photo: Teara Fraser, 2023 Indigenous Business Award of Distinction recipient Storytelling has the power to illuminate, educate, and bridge gaps in our understanding of diverse cultures. The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) films stand as a testament to the importance of Indigenous narratives, offering a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, resilience and cultural heritage.   Each year the annual Indigenous Business Award program uses storytelling through short films as one avenue to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements and contributions of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Now in its sixteenth ...

The 15th annual IBA Gala Dinner, hosted last night at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, was a vibrant celebration of the exceptional achievements of eight Indigenous businesses. Chief David Jimmie and Geena Jackson co-hosted the event, joined by over 650 guests, as business excellence was showcased through the premiere of recipient films, sharing their entrepreneurial journeys.  Cloy-e-iis Judith Sayers, BC Achievement board member, encapsulated the program’s intent, commending the awardees for their unwavering determination, tenacity, viability, and remarkable commitment to excellence. She highlighted the unique dedication ...