Press Release
Celebrating the transformative achievements of Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs
Vancouver, BC (August 13, 2024): The BC Achievement Foundation announces the recipients of the 16th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program. This annual award honours the exceptional achievements of Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities, and community-owned enterprises. As one of the five flagship programs of BC Achievement, this initiative recognizes and celebrates excellence, fostering inspiration across the province.
“This year’s IBA recipients demonstrate remarkable entrepreneurship and show an unyielding commitment to driving economic growth and fostering community well-being,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Their accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder of the significant impact Indigenous businesses have in shaping a prosperous and inclusive future for all British Columbians. BC Achievement is pleased to serve as a platform to showcase these business leaders.”
Marking its 16th year, the IBA program continues to highlight inspiring stories of Indigenous business excellence. By showcasing these successes, the awards drive change and strengthen connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies in British Columbia. With over 225 distinguished business leaders among its alumni, the IBA program stands as a testament to the thriving Indigenous business community.
The awardee selection was made by a distinguished jury panel, including T,łalisam, Dr. Kim van der Woerd of ’Namgis Nation, and an alumna of both the IBA and the BC Achievement Community Award programs; Ernie (Bones) George, Chief Executive Officer at Inlailawatash LP; and Tim Low, ANTCO Board President and member of Métis Nation BC.
This year’s recipients include:
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Mo Dawson Creative, Victoria
Business of the Year – one-to-two person enterprise:
Rad Relish Co., West Kelowna
Business of the Year – three-to-ten person enterprise:
AshFireWear, Cranbrook
Business of the Year – 11 + person enterprise:
KICA Contracting Ltd., Dease Lake
Community-owned Business of the Year – one entity:
Ahous Adventures, Tofino
Community-owned Business of the Year – two or more entities:
Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, West Vancouver
Business Partnership of the Year:
Seven Generations Environmental Services, Mission
Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement:
Robert J. Dennis Sr. (Emchayiik), Anacla
The recipients will be honoured at a formal gala ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Monday, October 7, 2024. The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at www.bcachievement.com. Early Bird tickets are available until August 31, priced at $250 per person. From September 1, ticket prices are offered at the regular rate of $275 per person. Awardees will receive a short film highlighting their entrepreneurial accomplishments, a cash prize, a certificate and medallion to commemorate their achievements and will be celebrated through an online campaign, #shinethelightbc.
Interviews with BC Achievement Foundation representatives and award recipients are available upon request. A media kit, including awardee backgrounders and high-resolution images, can be found here.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and the Indigenous Business Award program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
BC Achievement Foundation gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. The foundation also acknowledges with thanks supporting organizations: BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Métis Nation BC. The IBA program is generously sponsored by Enbridge, Teck Resources Limited, TD Bank Group, OVINTIV, Vancity; KPMG, New Relationship Trust, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; BC Transit, BC Hydro, Seaspan ULC, West Fraser; ANTCO, BC Lottery Corporation, Fortis BC Energy Inc., Shell Canada, TELUS, Trans Mountain; Beedie School of Business SFU; and Nk’Mip Cellars. BC Achievement is grateful to media sponsors: CFNR, Frog Radio, Global BC, Miss 604 and STIR magazine.
-###-
About BC Achievement Foundation
Established in 2003, the BC Achievement Foundation is an independent organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in British Columbia. Through various programs such as the Polygon Award in First Nations Art and the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design Award, the Community Award and the BC Reconciliation Award, BC Achievement honors the outstanding accomplishments of the province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth, and volunteers. By recognizing these exceptional individuals, the foundation aims to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or the Indigenous Business Award program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
Media Contacts
Gemma Bishop
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Gather Public Relations
T: 604-375-6953
E: gemma@gatherpublicrelations.com
Rup Grewal
Communications Director
BC Achievement Foundation
T: 604-261-9777 (Ext 102)
E: rup@bcachievement.com
2024 IBA Awardee – Backgrounders
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Mo Dawson Creative
City: Victoria
Mo Dawson is an Indigenous graphic recorder based on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen Peoples. He is Dzawada’enuxw from Gwa’yi (Kingcome Inlet, BC) and Gitxsan with roots in Gitanyow and Gitsegukla, BC. Mo has a background in professional cooking, working with top chefs across the country for nearly two decades. He trained in graphic recording with Shift-It Coach Christina Merkley and was mentored by Kelly Foxcroft-Poirier of White Raven Consulting.
His experience includes working with public agencies, non-profits, governments, and post-secondary institutions. Visual communication has been a vital part of his culture for generations, and Mo combines his artistic skills and Indigenous values to provide a unique graphic recording experience. At Mo Dawson Creative Graphic Recording, ideas come to life through visual storytelling, transforming complex concepts into engaging visuals that inspire and connect audiences.
Business of the Year – one-to-two person enterprise:
Rad Relish Co.
City: West Kelowna
Rad Relish Co. was founded in 2021 by Garrett Millsap using his grandmother’s famous zucchini relish recipe. Identifying a lack of Indigenous-made food products in the Canadian market, Garrett launched Rad Relish, which has grown into a national brand available in local markets, grocery stores, and online. The product line includes all British Columbia grown produce and is vegan and gluten free. It makes the perfect addition to your next BBQ, charcuterie board or simply on its own. Rad Relish is available in three flavours: Original, Smoked, and Spicy. Rad Relish has also made the switch to environmentally friendly flex packaging which has lowered our carbon footprint significantly.
Garrett, a member of Métis Nation BC and a board member of the Kelowna Métis Association, is committed to supporting and mentoring Indigenous entrepreneurs. His vision includes hiring Indigenous employees and promoting Métis products. Rad Relish, inspired by Métis elder Peggy Millsap’s zucchini recipe, combines unique flavors of turmeric and mustard seed. The relish is made with West Kelowna-grown zucchini from Paynters Farm and is now available Canada wide through Amazon Prime.
Business of the Year – three-to-ten person enterprise:
AshFireWear
City: Cranbrook
Ashley O’Neil, a member of the Ktunaxa Nation, is the owner and designer of AshFireWear. With nearly two decades of firefighting experience, both as a structural and wildland firefighter, Ashley identified a gap in women-specific personal protective equipment (PPE). Prior to firefighting, she worked in the oil patch, where she realized the absence of fire-resistant gear for women. In response, she founded AshFireWear in 2020, offering custom-fitted, environmentally friendly PPE made from 100% natural materials. The company’s products include eco-friendly fire-resistant spray, brass zippers, and cotton-wool blend thread, and cater to female firefighters, miners, oil field workers, and others.
Beyond her business, Ashley coordinates training programs on BC reservations, teaches and certifies new firefighters, and is bringing back cultural burning practices in the Kootenays. Additionally, she works with non-Indigenous communities with prescribed burning practices to mitigate uncontrollable wildfires. As a respected instructor, medic, and crew leader, she is dedicated to enhancing firefighter safety and efficiency.
Business of the Year 11 + person enterprise:
KICA Contracting Ltd.
City: Dease Lake
Kimberly Marion is the visionary behind KICA Contracting Ltd., a 100% Tahltan-owned business she founded to address the lack of Indigenous employment opportunities in the resource sector. Starting with just four staff members in a small catering operation, KICA has grown into a thriving enterprise, employing over 100 people and servicing up to eight camps. With 85% of its workforce composed of Tahltan staff, KICA empowers Indigenous peoples to advance their careers while promoting fair wages and employee well-being.
Originally from Iskut, BC, Kim splits her time between Telegraph and Dease Lake. For the past 25 years, she has been deeply involved in her community, particularly through volunteering in recreational sports and her dedication to the Dease Lake Recreational Centre Society. Kim tirelessly works to complete the Centre, including the installation of an ice plant, and enjoys organizing fundraisers to support this dream. Her commitment to both her business and community showcases her unwavering dedication to uplifting her people.
Community-owned Business of the Year – one entity:
Ahous Adventures
City: Tofino
Ahous Adventures, an eco and cultural adventure tour company owned by the Ahousaht Nation, is dedicated to promoting authentic Indigenous experiences. The company fosters a guest-host relationship based on traditional Ahousaht values of respect and reciprocity. Through its tours, Ahous Adventures shares the beauty and wisdom of Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands, waters, and culture) with visitors, contributing to economic development, environmental stewardship, and cultural revitalization within the community.
Located in Načiks (Tofino), British Columbia, Ahous Adventures offers a variety of excursions, including tours to Hot Springs Cove, whale watching, and bear watching. The company aims to promote Ahousaht culture, language, history, and storytelling through immersive tourism experiences, providing employment opportunities and generating revenue for the community. Ahous Adventures also supports environmental conservation and cultural revitalization initiatives, empowering future generations to uphold Ahousaht traditions and values.
Community-owned Business of the Year – two or more entities:
Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
City: West Vancouver
Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation (Nch’ḵay̓) aims to promote sustainable economic development and empowerment for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish People). The company strives to create opportunities for socio-economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and foster self-sufficiency for the Nation and its People. Nch’ḵay̓ supports the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw by generating wealth and creating prosperity through economic opportunities for current and future generations in a way that is consistent with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values and teachings.
Founded in 2018 with two employees, the Squamish Nation’s economic development arm has grown significantly in recent years; today, Nch’ḵay̓ has 122 employees, including 58 Squamish People and 13 members of other First Nations across its head office and operating businesses. Since its inception, Nch’ḵay̓ has made notable progress in expanding its project portfolio, diversifying revenue streams, and establishing itself as a leader in Indigenous economic development.
Notable projects include the Sen̓áḵw development, which, alongside various other real estate development projects on the horizon for Nch’ḵay̓, will transform Vancouver’s landscape and deliver long-term socio-economic benefits to the Squamish Nation community.
Business Partnership of the Year:
Seven Generations Environmental Services
City: Mission
Seven Generations Environmental Services (SGES), an environmental services company owned by six Stólō First Nations communities, (Sq’ewá:lxw First Nation; Chi’yaqtel First Nation; Yeqwyeqwí:ws First Nation; Leq’á:mel First Nation; Áthelets First Nation, and Sq’ewqéyl First Nation) was established in 2011 as a result of an Impacts Benefit Agreement with BC Hydro for their Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Project. This hydro project provided an economic opportunity for Stólō communities to participate in a major project within their territory, leading to the formation of SGES/Seven Generations Environmental Services Ltd.
SGES was founded upon the traditional and cultural values of their Stó:lō owners and is dedicated to sustaining natural resources and the environment for future generations. The company aims to become a leading Indigenous-owned provider of environmental monitoring and site restoration services in BC. With a team of environmental professionals, SGES offers services including environmental consulting, construction and infrastructure monitoring, compliance monitoring programs, and planting and restoration. The company’s core values include building Indigenous capacity through education and training, promoting self-reliance, and developing creative economic strategies.
Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement
Robert J. Dennis Sr. (Emchayiik)
City: Anacla
Robert J. Dennis Sr. (Emchayiik) is a distinguished leader who exemplifies the essence of the Indigenous Business Award of Distinction, having dedicated his life to fostering Indigenous business activities for his Nation. With a career spanning decades, Robert has played a pivotal role in advancing the economic and political landscape of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN).
Serving as elected Chief Councillor for HFN from 1995 to 2011 and again from 2015 until his final term in June 2023, Robert’s leadership has been marked by a commitment to the prosperity and self-determination of his people. Prior to his tenure as Chief Councillor, Robert spent 12 years as a Councillor and three years as Band Manager, laying the groundwork for the significant achievements that would follow.
As HFNs Chief Negotiator for 14 years, Robert spearheaded the implementation of the Maa-Nulth modern treaty in 2011, a landmark achievement that has allowed the Nation to benefit from self-government and transition from a rights-based discourse to one centered on economic reconciliation. His vision for a stronger future is rooted in an economic development and business-based agenda, steering away from entitlement and towards sustainable progress.
Beyond his political service, Robert’s background as a fisherman and logger provides him with a profound understanding of resource management in his Territory. This hands-on experience fuelled his drive to learn from the past and embrace a more inclusive approach to achieving shared goals. He is committed to forging innovative and unique partnerships with businesses, believing that collaboration is key to unlocking new opportunities for the HFN.
Robert embodies the HFN Sacred Principles: ʔiisaak – Greater Respect; ʔuuʔałuk – Taking Care Of; and Hišuk ma c̕awak – Everything is One. His perfect combination of vision, tenacity, and courage has made him an exemplary leader who continues to inspire and create lasting impacts in his community. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power of economic reconciliation.
ILR5