Indigenous Business Award Program – TD’s impact on elevating excellence 

“At TD, we recognize there is more work to be done on our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation. That’s why, we’re applying our business, people and philanthropy to help create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We believe this is a key step forward on our journey towards Truth and Reconciliation.”   

Since 2013, TD has worked with BC Achievement to elevate excellence, share success and inspire change through its annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program. The IBA program recognizes, celebrates and promotes excellence in Indigenous business by sharing stories of inspiration, innovation and resilience with the goal to provide models of success for other aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. The program offers awardees and their supporters an authentic space to showcase their achievements, build bridges between BC’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies, and celebrate success, diversity and inclusion. The IBA program boasts over 200 award alumni since its launch in 2009.

The 2022 program marks its 13th annual offering as it strives to serve as a catalyst for economic reconciliation while strengthening partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in BC.

BC Achievement is privileged to share these stories and elevate Indigenous business throughout the province. A film archive dedicated to the IBA program speaks to the ongoing and developing importance of Indigenous business in BC’s economy. The archive serves as a resource and learning tool accessible to all through BC Achievement’s YouTube channel. We are indebted to the program’s sponsorship family who share our collective goals. 

Mohindar Singh Gill

Throughout the challenges of the pandemic, TD continued its important support of the IBA program as the 2020 program sponsor and, in doing so, made a substantive impact on the program’s success and reach during the first year of COVID. As the 2021 IBA title sponsor, TD returned to the sponsorship family and participated in a pilot project awarding a bursary prize of $2,500 to each of the recipients in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Business of the Year categories.  

Awardees expressed surprise and gratitude upon receiving their bursary honouring their entrepreneurial efforts and shared that the prize inspired them to give back even more to their communities. Building on their respective business’ key role in community, some awardees chose to use their bursary to create impact by rewarding past and present staff for their hard work and commitment while others donated to local charitable organizations; truly underlining the quadruple bottom line that motivates and drives the Indigenous economy in the province. 

Grateful for TD’s nine-year support of the Indigenous Business Program, BC Achievement looks forward to the 2022 IBA program through the nomination, selection and recognition phases. We are excited to work toward the June 1 launch of the 2022 IBA program and anticipate another strong campaign to #nominatenowbc

More information on TD’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples can be found here. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.    

Join the Conversation, Share the News.

Facebook
Twitter