Category: Blog

Photo: 2024 IBA Co-Directors, Geena Jackson and Chief Gibby Jacob

We are thrilled to announce that Geena Jackson and Chief Gibby Jacob will be the Co-Directors of Ceremonies for the 2024 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala, taking place on October 7 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This highly anticipated event is the place to be for anyone interested in Indigenous business in British Columbia. 

Meet Geena Jackson 

Geena Jackson whose traditional name is Tsetasiya (‘Sa-TAS-ee-ya’) returns for her third 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, with a grand prize of $100,000. 

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. In 2023, she facilitated 25 camps and is well on her way to facilitating 40 additional camps in 2024, educating, elevating, and inspiring over 1,000 Indigenous youth nationwide. 

Meet Chief Gibby Jacob 

Joining Geena this year is Chief Gibby Jacob, a distinguished leader and the 2017 IBA Award of Distinction recipient. Chief Gibby, whose ancestral name is Kákeltn siyám, is a hereditary Chief and a member of the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a man of quiet power, recognized twice with Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 Award, and honored with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, The BC Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award, and The Senate 150th Anniversary Medal. 

Under Chief Gibby’s leadership, the Squamish Nation exponentially increased its business revenue, royalties, and real estate assets. He played a pivotal role in brokering the deal that established the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and the 2010 Olympic land legacy, resulting in the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations gaining several tracts of land in the Whistler community. 

Chief Gibby’s knowledge and experience provide direction and liaison duties for special projects and files, including negotiations between various levels of government, stakeholders, partners, and the Nation on projects dealing with natural resources, accommodation, and consultation. His leadership and vision are highly anticipated to bring a fresh and inspiring perspective to the gala. 

A Night to Celebrate Excellence 

The 2024 Indigenous Business Award Gala is set to be an extraordinary evening of celebrating excellence in the Indigenous economy. This event is an opportunity to honor outstanding achievements, 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. Get your early bird tickets now and be part of a night that celebrates the strength, innovation, and success of Indigenous businesses in BC. 

Chief Gibby’s wise words resonate deeply: “It is by paddling together that we can create a future for our Nation. One that learns from the past, lives in the present, and builds for the future.” 

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

Photo: Book Cover, Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. 

It is a month to reflect on Indigenous world views, epistemologies, educational and governance systems, and the impacts they have on economic reconciliation.

Take time to learn about the vast intergenerational knowledge Indigenous peoples have accumulated. Consider that this knowledge is imbedded with over tens of thousands of years of learning the landscapes, water ways, flora and fauna, and imagine how this accumulation of knowledge can spark innovation and creativity in your own world view. 

The best way to do that is to listen to First Nations, Inuit and Métis through their own voices, by reading a book, watching a film or video, or listening to music created by Indigenous people. 

 Here are some resources for a month of learning: 

1. Unbroken  by Angela Sterritt 
3. Indian Horse  by Richard Wagamese 
4. Potlatch as Pedagogy  by Sarah Florence Davidson & Robert Davidson 
5. When We Were Alone by David Roberston 
6. Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. by Bob Joseph

Here are a few ways to be involved: 

1. Educate yourself on the history of the land where you live, work and play. 
2. Learn what it means to be an accomplice and participate in allyship from an Indigenous lens. 
3. Engage with Indigenous businesses and their economies to support growth. 

Here is a call to action from Indigenous Tourism BC: 

This National Indigenous History Month, we call upon all Canadians to actively seek firsthand experiences, educate themselves about living Indigenous cultures, and find ways to contribute to the wellness of Indigenous families, lands, and communities in BC – not just in June, but throughout the year. 

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

Photo: Satuts Stsuhwum Angela Marston, IBA program director

With the 2024 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program nominations closing on May 31– we took a few minutes to chat with its director, Satuts Stsuhwum (North wind strong and clear) Angela Marston. Here’s our Q&A:

What excites you the most about your job now that you’re almost 24 months into it?

What truly excites me is witnessing the incredible work being done across First Nations and Indigenous communities. Our province-wide reach allows us to hear and share stories of the positive impact individuals and communities are making through their business endeavours. Too often, the focus is on negative depictions of Indigenous peoples. This program helps reframe the narrative by highlighting these individuals in a positive light, showcasing their successes and contributions.

It’s particularly inspiring for me and my colleagues @bcachievement to see so many First Nations and Indigenous women thriving as business owners and leaders. This is encouraging not just for my daughters, nieces, and future grandchildren, but for all young Indigenous women. Having these strong role models is vital for envisioning and driving change.

Do you see evidence of the IBA program driving change from your experience to date?

Absolutely! One standout example is 2023 IBA recipient Marcia Turner, whose business transformation post-recognition has been phenomenal. Here is a quote from Marcia, “Receiving the IBA award transformed my thinking about how I do my work and has planted the seed that I have what it takes to grow my business. Importantly, the IBA has given me exposure and it put me on the radar to be noticed – it’s raised my profile, and I have so much deep gratitude for this. But being noticed is only part of being a successful business. The IBA Gala opened my eyes to a whole world of opportunities, it was inspirational to see all the other recipients, hear their stories, witness our celebration and network with like-minded people in the entrepreneurial business world.” Additionally, I’m frequently asked to connect awardees with opportunities. BC Achievement’s extensive, province-wide network helps us expand our reach and impact, continually fostering connections and facilitating growth. We serve as a resource for others to access our incredible alumni community throughout the provincial.

Can you speak to the difference your role is making, given that you are leading the program as its first Indigenous director, and as an artist and entrepreneur?

Having an Indigenous person lead an Indigenous program fundamentally changes its execution. Rooting the program in Indigenous values requires cultural understanding that goes beyond surface-level appreciation. For instance, understanding the protocols of a blanketing ceremony is crucial, especially when you’re on another’s territory. Many people I interact with express how significant it is to see an Indigenous woman in this leadership role. It’s empowering for my nieces and for all young Indigenous girls to see role models in such positions.

BC Achievement has a forward-thinking model for reconciliation and has ensured for the past two decades of its existence that it delivers with strong Indigenous leadership on its foundation board and IBA advisory panel. This ensures our program is deeply connected to and guided by Indigenous values and perspectives.

What challenges are you excited about tackling in the year ahead?

I’m looking forward to providing more support to nominators, diversifying our sponsorship base (especially with tech companies), and building out our alumni program, despite the struggle to secure funding. These challenges are opportunities to strengthen and expand our program’s impact.

What would you like to say to potential nominators and nominees out there? Why should they nominate?

Uplifting Indigenous business owners as role models is crucial for the success of Indigenous communities everywhere. We need these positive stories and role models to inspire and drive change. The nomination process can be cathartic for business owners as it allows them to take five and take stock of their business – where they are and how they want to take their enterprise to the next level.

What program phase do you enjoy the most?

It’s hard to choose just one! The Gala, which is part of the recognition phase, is an incredibly inspiring event, and reading through the nominations is always uplifting. While the Gala involves a lot of hard work, it’s deeply rewarding to celebrate the recipients and, to see the room filled with Indigenous entrepreneurs and those honouring them is life-changing. As Geena Jackson says, “It is truly the ‘Oscars’ of Indigenous Business in BC!” I also enjoy the strategic and creative aspects of developing partnerships and planning the program throughout the year.  Seeing the program strengthen through our strategic alliances and partnerships is empowering for me and those with whom I work.

Future aspirations?

Collaborating with an Indigenous curriculum content developer would be amazing. The short films we produce on each awardee are truly magnificent and are a huge resource  that could serve as a great guide for teachers, enriching the educational experience with Indigenous perspectives.

With the IBA Call for Nominations’ deadline looming large…

Don’t miss the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the outstanding achievements within our communities. Nominate someone today and be part of this positive movement! And remember that I am here to help in anyway, don’t hesitate to reach out indigenousbusiness@bcachievement.com and #nominatenowbc!

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