NAN Congratulates NADF Business Award Recipients

THUNDER BAY (October 18, 2013): Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the NAN Executive Council, congratulates the accomplishments of the Aboriginal business community honoured at the 23rd Annual Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Business Awards gala in Timmins yesterday.

“More and more First Nations are being recognized for the tremendous economic contributions we make to the regional economy, and we continue to be impressed by the leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of the businesses, executives and organizations across NAN territory,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “The development of First Nations’ economies is the key to unlocking the full potential of the Canadian economy, and we congratulate these award winners for their efforts to ensure that the people and communities of Nishnawbe Aski become the partners, investors and owners in new and emerging markets, especially the resource-based economy emerging from our Treaty territories.”

Award recipients include:

 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year – Nolan Tozer, Moose River Tours
 Corporation of the Year – Sagatay Economic Development LP, Whitesand First Nation
 Businesswoman of the Year – Dr. Doris Mitchell
 Executive of the Year – Lucie Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Five Nations Energy
 Businessman of the Year – Dan Bannon, Dan Bannon Contracting
 Partnership of the Year – Bannon Family Council, J&W Confectionary
 Building Communities – William Quachegan, WQ Carpentry
 New Business of the Year – Jason Blakely, Blakely Trucking

For more information please visit www.nadf.org.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario in Canada.

For more information please contact: Michael Heintzman, A/Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4965 or cell (807) 621-2790 or by email mheintzman@nan.on.ca