Award Category: Indigenous Business Award

BC General Contracting Inc.|2|Westbank|BC General Contracting Inc. is a civil contracting company, located in Westbank, which provides excavation and installation services for commercial and municipal water projects including roads, water and sewer installation. Since its inception in 2001, the company has grown from a two excavator company providing strictly excavation services to a 41 piece multi-faceted business. BC General Contracting Inc. is now venturing into construction of multi-family real estate development.

Chase Office Interiors Inc. is a fully integrated contract furniture company. The company services both commercial and government clients that require any combination of design services, contract furniture, installation services and overall project management. Chase Office Interiors Inc. has grown from a small West Vancouver office to now include an office and showroom in Edmonton.

Cristy Johnson, from the Niaka’pamux First Nation owns Cristy’s Jewelry Designs offering one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry made of sterling silver and semiprecious stones. Operating for just over two years, Ms. Johnson is the sole proprietor of her business and handles most aspects of business operations including design, production, marketing and sales. Her jewelry is sold to retail stores, through her website and directly to customers and most recently garnered national recognition at a major music event.

Dorothy Grant’s business is a living legacy. Established in 1992, the business is 100% owned by Haida artist Dorothy Grant. The company has an impressive 15 year history as a successful manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler. Dorothy Grant has built a brand that is unique worldwide. Her international success and recognition have established her as a business which epitomizes the opportunity for Aboriginal entrepreneurial accomplishment, both at home and abroad.

For the past nine years, Jacob Beacon has developed CopperMoon Communications into the first full-service Aboriginal communications agency in Western Canada, championing Aboriginal philosophy with mainstream tools. CopperMoon provides services such as websites, books, branding, communications plans, posters, road signs and video training. CopperMoon now has representatives in three British Columbia locations and serves a diverse client base.

The Metlakatla Development Corporation located outside of Prince Rupert, functions as an independent business arm for the Metlakatla First Nation. The corporation, established in 1989, owns and operates the Metlakatla Ferry Services Ltd., North Co-op Ferry Services Ltd., First Nations Training and Development Centre, Grassy Bay Services Ltd., Metlakatla Forestry Corporation, Seashore Charters Ltd., and Northland Marine Sales and Service Ltd.

The Upper Nicola Band in Merritt and Ardew Wood Products Ltd have been partners since 1996 in a forest licence specifically for conversion of overstocked small diameter lodgepole pines, often seen as waste product; by harvesting and replanting them they become productive trees for the future. A First Nations’ logging trucking company, road building forestry division and silviculture operations have been created as a result of this long-term partnership.

Tin Wis Best Western Resort in Tofino is a destination resort that provides a cultural experience to guests. Owned by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, it began in 1994 as a small, modest resort and is now a popular 85 room resort. The First Nations’ themed lobby and restaurant are a cultural experience of their own and the menu of the “Calm Waters Dining Room” incorporates traditional First Nations’ cuisine.

Tryna Gower is a photographer who operates an indoor and outdoor photography studio in Dawson Creek, producing commercial work but emphasizing the artistic side of the process. Ms. Gower’s business opened in 2000 and has been a great asset to the northern community ever since. The business includes a mobile photography studio which travels throughout BC and northern Alberta.

Dean Cloutier, a Métis based in Vancouver, established Shrapnel Designs four years ago. Today it is known as a high-end, industrial design company which creates handcrafted portfolios and binders. Using the cool strength of steel and the warm tones of wood in all its designs, Shrapnel Portfolios compliments its clients’ style while protecting their work inside. Bridging the worlds of industry and design, Shrapnel’s portfolios offer presentation options for creative minds.