Inaugural National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award Recipient Announced

Inaugural National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award Recipient Announced 

Toronto, ON – November 18, 2013–The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and ESS Support Services Worldwide (a member of Compass Group Canada), are pleased to announce that Ms. Savannah Olsen, Cree, Saddle Lake, Alberta, owner of the Old Faithful Shop in Vancouver’s historic Gastown has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the newly created National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award.

The CCAB would like to recognize and thank ESS, the founding and exclusive sponsor for the National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award.  Compass Group Canada and ESS Support Services Worldwide is the country’s leading foodservice and support services company providing  food and service excellence in sectors as diverse as business and industry, colleges and universities, healthcare and hospitals, sports, entertainment, leisure and cultural venues, remote camps, facilities management and vending. Erin Meehan, President of ESS, stated; “Congratulations Savannah, your accomplishments are proof that when you dream big things happen, lives change.  Your youthful passion for your business is celebrated each day when you create jobs, buy merchandise and contribute to the economic well-being of all Canadians.”

2014 marks the inaugural year for the National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award.  The award is the direct result of a conversation between ESS President Erin Meehan and CCAB Director of Program Development Natiea Vinson.  Their committee worked together stirred creative ideas and opened the window for the timely creation of a youth business recognition award.  The award was specifically developed to reflect the Aboriginal youth demographic that has more than 50% of the Aboriginal population in Canada under the age of 25.  Aboriginal youth represent a dynamic entrepreneurial force poised for continued growth and entrance to the Canadian workforce.  Ms. Vinson stated, “This award was designed to showcase the business talent that Aboriginal youth possess; that Aboriginal youth are competing in mainstream markets and in urban centers and excelling. Savannah’s success is a testament to that.”

The nomination process asked nominees to create a one minute video on why they should receive the new award.  The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award will be presented at the Sixteenth Annual Toronto Gala on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the Ritz Carlton, Toronto.

About the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB):

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler, founder of Shoppers Drug Mart and co-founder of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit non-partisan association, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada. 

Event Inquiries:

For more information on the CCAB’s Sixteenth Annual Gala Dinner, please contact Maya Kwasnycia, Senior Manager, Sponsorship & Events, mkwasnycia@ccab.com or 416 961 8663 ext.224

Media:

Please contact Andre Morriseau Senior Manager, Awards & Communications, amorriseau@ccab.com or 647-970-7661