Tsetasiya Geena Jackson and Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars will be the Co-Directors of Ceremonies for the 2025 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala! The 17th annual IBA Gala is taking place on Wednesday, November 5, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This highly anticipated event is the place to be for anyone interested in Indigenous business in BC.
Meet Tsetasiya Geena Jackson
Geena Jackson returns for her fourth year as Co-Director of the IBA Gala, bringing her experience and passion for celebrating Indigenous business excellence. As a devoted advocate for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and economic development, Geena has over 25 years of experience serving First Nation communities and the industry at large. A proud member of the Shishalh Nation (Sechelt), she is deeply committed to strengthening Indigenous communities through strategic partnerships with industry experts and government bodies.
Geena has been instrumental in helping over 800 Indigenous entrepreneurs grow their businesses and social enterprises. Her commitment to Indigenous economic growth is further exemplified by her creation of the Bears’ Lair TV show on APTN, where she serves as a core judge. This unique platform supports Indigenous entrepreneurs on a national scale, offering exposure, guidance, and opportunities to scale their ventures.
Additionally, Geena has created the Bears’ Lair Youth Dream Camps, teaching Indigenous youth aged 11-18 across Canada about entrepreneurship, life skills, and creating tools for future success. She has offered over 65 camps and is well on her way to facilitating additional camps in 2025, educating, elevating, and inspiring over 1,000 Indigenous youth nationwide.
Meet Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars
Joining Geena this year is Kúkwpi7 Willie Sellars whose Nation is a recipient of the 2022 IBA for its business Sugar Cane Archaeology and Kúkwpi7 Sellars is also an alumnus of the 2023 BC Reconciliation Award program. Kúkwpi7 Willie was born and raised in Williams Lake, BC and is a member of the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) of the Secwepemc Nation. Elected to WLFN Council at the age of 24 in 2008, Willie was one of the youngest elected Councillors in WLFN history. After serving ten years on Council, he was elected as the Chief of the Williams Lake First Nation in 2018. In his previous work experience, Kúkwpi7 Willie worked as a Wildland Firefighter for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations before returning to his community to assume the position of Special Project Coordinator in the WLFN Economic Development Department. During this time, he was responsible for new business initiatives flowing from Impact Benefit Agreements, engagement with proponents in the traditional territory, and community consultation for major WLFN projects.
Kúkwpi7 Willie is also a published author of “Dipnetting with Dad,” which won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. He enjoys his family time with his five kids, playing hockey, pow wow dancing, attending community events at WLFN, dipnetting, and playing fastball.
A Night to Celebrate Indigenous Entrepreneurial Achievement
The 2025 Indigenous Business Award Gala is set to be an extraordinary evening of celebrating achievement in the Indigenous economy. This event is an opportunity to honor outstanding accomplishments, network with industry leaders, and be part of a vibrant community that supports and uplifts Indigenous businesses.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Save the date and watch for early bird tickets beginning August 15, 2025. Sponsorship opportunities remain available.
Contact Angela Marston, IBA Program Director angela@bcachievement.com and join the IBA sponsorship family today!
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.