Mary Simon to receive the 2014 Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations

Press Release –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 26, 2014 

Mary Simon to receive the 2014 Award for Excellence
in Aboriginal Relations from
the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
and Sodexo Canada 

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and Sodexo Canada are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is former Canadian diplomat and Fellow with the Arctic Institute of North America, Mary Simon.

As Canada’s first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council, and former Canadian Ambassador to Denmark, Ms. Simon’s leadership is international in scope with northern interests at the heart of her extraordinary career.

CCAB in its 30^th year is proud to celebrate the outstanding people who through their lives’ work and initiative have played important roles in building and strengthening the relationship between Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians. CCAB President and CEO JP Gladu stated; “It is the leadership of forward thinkers such as Mary Simon that continues to build vital partnerships and personal relationships that open the doors of business through education and participation on the national stage.”

Mary Simon has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of northern communities on a wide variety of challenges facing Inuit including environmental, social, cultural, and political issues. Sodexo Canada is pleased to partner with CCAB to celebrate her in championing positive change for the Aboriginal community.  “Mary Simon’s work has been global in scope but local in impact, truly benefiting Canada’s Inuit people in their communities,” expressed Dean Johnson, President of Sodexo Canada.

The Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is presented to a Canadian who has personally contributed, through his or her professional and voluntary commitments, to building bridges between Aboriginal people and Canada’s business community. The recipient of the award is selected by a jury of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business leaders. Ms. Simon will be presented the award at the CCAB’s 12^th annual Vancouver Gala on September 25, 2014.

For more information about the CCAB and an overview of the Award for Excellence, visit www.ccab.com

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About the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business

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. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada. 

About Sodexo in Canada

Sodexo has been delivering On-Site Services in Canada for over 40 years. Recognized as a strategic partner, Sodexo Canada has consolidated its position by providing a range of Quality of Life Services for clients, their employees and visitors in the corporate, education, healthcare and remote sites segments. Delivering food and facilities management services for over 200 clients, Sodexo is a market leader in Canada in terms of revenue and consumers served, and has been recognized as a top employer for the past four consecutive years.  Sodexo Canada is proud to have created the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that has donated more than 1 million meals to at risk youth in Canada since it was founded in 2000. Follow us on Twitter @SodexoCanada