Award Category: Indigenous Business Award

Top Notch Oilfield Contracting Ltd is a Heavy Civil Earthworks Contractor whose goal is to be a role model for First Nations Entrepreneurs. Owners Judy and Boomer Desjarlais started Top Notch in the spring of 2004 with 1 employee, $1500 and two babies in tow employing a “can do” attitude. Top Notch now thrives in today’s tough environment by having valuable and valued employees, state of the art equipment, while providing a great service.

Mustimuhw (Moo-stee-moo)Information Solutions Inc. is a software and services company that focuses primarily in the health and social services sector for Indigenous-run service organizations. Mustimuhw software is currently operating in seven provinces supporting over 274 First Nations. Additionally, their Technology for Maternal Child and Health initiative is being implemented in two clinics in Northern Ghana. Mustimuhw’s goal is to develop tools that meet the needs of Indigenous Service organizations, and secondly to create a source revenue stream for Cowichan Tribes to invest back into social priorities.

The Stz’uminus First Nation (SFN) set up Coast Salish Group (CSG) as an independent corporation to support its economic development and to create local job opportunities for Stz’uminus members. Twenty percent of its annual profit is given back to the community. Ten years ago, Coast Salish Group started out with one business entity and has since incorporated four additional businesses and set up several partnerships. In the last five years Coast Salish Group has succeeded in creating over 100 jobs.

Lower Nicola Site Services is a partnership between the Lower Nicola Indian Band and Infracon Construction. Its goal is to provide meaningful training, employment, and revenue to community members while providing quality, industry leading services to clients. Its mandate is to take a proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that the environment is cared for both now and for future generations. Lower Nicola Site Services is keen to take on a leadership role in the energy sector for generations to come.

Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design is a multi-generational Coast Salish design house based on Snuneymuxw First Nation territory in Nanaimo, BC. Run by sisters Aunalee and Sophia Good, Ay Lelum creates wearable art that blends traditional Coast Salish teachings with contemporary fashion. Their garments—ranging from couture to limited-edition ready-wear—feature non-ceremonial family artwork and are available in inclusive sizing (XS–5XL).

Rooted in cultural protocol and guided by Hul’q’umi’num’ Law, Ay Lelum integrates art, language, and music in its interdisciplinary design process. The family also records original music for their fashion shows, using storytelling to preserve and celebrate their heritage.

Founded on the legacy of their parents’ 1990s clothing line, Ay Ay Mut, Ay Lelum continues the tradition of cultural expression through fashion, while also advancing sustainability by using natural and recycled materials and partnering with local BC manufacturers. With a strong commitment to community, the brand also offers workshops, events, and custom artwork for corporate projects—sharing Coast Salish art, culture, and values with the world.

Kanaka Bar Land and Resource LP (KBLR) is a wholly owned business entity of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band, located in the Fraser Canyon region of British Columbia. Rooted in the values of sustainability, stewardship, and self-sufficiency, KBLR leads and manages land and resource development projects that support the long-term well-being of the Kanaka Bar community and surrounding ecosystems.

KBLR provides a range of services, including forestry management, environmental monitoring, land restoration, and infrastructure development. Every project is approached with respect for the land and guided by the traditional knowledge of the Nlaka’pamux people, combined with modern practices that meet current industry and environmental standards.

With a commitment to building local capacity, creating employment, and generating revenue for reinvestment in community priorities, KBLR plays a central role in Kanaka Bar’s vision for a resilient and self-reliant future. The company partners with government, industry, and Indigenous organizations to lead collaborative, responsible land use and economic development initiatives.

Mussell Crane Manufacturing is a trusted leader in material handling solutions, backed by over 30 years of industry experience. Known for its knowledgeable, energetic, and resourceful team, Mussell Crane is committed to continuous improvement in quality and design—ensuring every client receives reliable, high-performance equipment tailored to their needs.

From project inception to completion and beyond, Mussell Crane supports customers with expert guidance and dependable service. Their in-house training and certification department offers comprehensive, hands-on instruction for overhead crane operation, as well as other essential applications such as forklift, scissor lift, and fall protection.

Each course is designed to meet provincial safety standards and is recognized by WorkSafeBC, equipping participants with practical skills and certification that reflect current regulations. With a dedication to innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction, Mussell Crane delivers not only superior products but also the training and support necessary for long-term operational success in material handling environments.

Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood LP is a First Nations-owned seafood enterprise operating along the pristine West Coast of Vancouver Island. Dedicated to sustainable harvesting and economic development, the organization supports Nuu-chah-nulth Nations and community members in fisheries and aquaculture planning, training, and business development. With access to seafood licenses and quota, Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood provides vital services including industry partnerships, vessel acquisition support, feasibility studies, and access to funding. The company also maintains a database of deckhands and vessel owners to help match employment opportunities within the industry.

In 2015, five partner Nations acquired a majority share in St. Jean’s Smokehouse and Cannery in Nanaimo—expanding into processing, marketing, and sales. This strategic move laid the foundation for an authentic Aboriginal-branded seafood product line currently in development.By blending traditional knowledge with modern enterprise, Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood LP is setting a strong example for Indigenous participation in the seafood industry, promoting self-reliance, sustainability, and long-term prosperity for coastal communities.

Reciprocal Consulting is an Indigenous-owned firm specializing in culturally responsive evaluation, research, and organizational development. Grounded in OCAP/OCAS principles and ethical practices, the team takes a human-centered, decolonial approach to measurement, strategic planning, and evaluation. They deliver accessible, data-informed reports—both technical and community-friendly—and provide action-oriented recommendations rooted in Indigenous anti-racism and reconciliation frameworks. Services include organizational reviews, policy analysis, and values-based strategic planning that supports long-term systemic change.

Reciprocal Consulting also offers expert-led training and facilitation in areas such as cultural safety, anti-Indigenous racism, and the impacts of colonization. Their consultants provide support through workshops, resource development, and strategic consultations. In addition to evaluation and education services, the team supports project management by developing tools like budgets, MOUs, job descriptions, and policies. Administrative support includes scheduling, meeting facilitation, and documentation. With a commitment to Indigenous knowledge and self-determination, Reciprocal Consulting helps organizations build accountability, capacity, and pathways to sustainable, equity-driven outcomes.