First Nations Art Award

IBA profile: Marcia Turner, CEO of Daxgedim Haanak Nation Building 

Photo: 2023 Indigenous Business Awardee, Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building “My vision is that we are free to be Indigenous.”  Gitxsan entrepreneur Marcia Turner, 2023 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) recipient, is a leader focused on advocating for self-determination and self-government among Indigenous peoples across British Columbia and beyond. As CEO and founder of Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building her business provides Indigenous Governance, Community Development and Engagement. Marcia envisions a decolonized future where Indigenous peoples can freely embrace their culture and languages.   With a mission that revolves around ...

Thank you to the IBA sponsorship family 

A big thank you to the 2023-24 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) sponsors as we wrap up their year of commitment to the program and launch the 2024 Call for Nominations. These organizations support the growth of Indigenous entrepreneurship throughout the province and recognize that what’s good for the province and Indigenous entrepreneurs is good for business as well.  “Enbridge understands meaningful engagement and respective relationship are foundational to advancing reconciliation. We are committed to developing strategies, mechanisms and opportunities that support and nurture dialogue between ...

Nominate Now for the 2024 Indigenous Business Award program!  

The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program aims to honour excellence and focuses on the successes of Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs from throughout the province. Now in its 16th annual year, the Indigenous-led program offers awardees and their supporters an authentic space to showcase their achievements and build bridges between BC’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies.   Nominations are open for the 2024 award for another four weeks! The deadline to nominate an Indigenous business is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024.   Recipients will be notified in ...

Nominations open for the 16th annual Indigenous Business Award  

Vancouver, BC (May 1, 2024): British Columbians are encouraged to nominate those who demonstrate excellence in Indigenous entrepreneurship for the 16th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program, announced today by BC Achievement Foundation chair Walter Pela.  “By nominating deserving entrepreneurs for the Indigenous Business Award, we honour their innovation, resilience, and vital contributions to our provincial economy,” said Pela. “Celebrating Indigenous business excellence shines a spotlight on the achievements of entrepreneurs and inspires future generations.”  “Receiving the Indigenous Business Award transformed my thinking about how ...

21st Annual Community Award Recipients named by BC Achievement Foundation

Vancouver, BC (April 24, 2024): Premier David Eby and Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, today named the recipients of the 21st annual Community Award. The program, presented by BC Achievement – an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province – recognizes extraordinary British Columbians who build better, stronger and more resilient communities “Community Award recipients are recognized for their outstanding contributions in making life better through innovation, dedication, and volunteerism,” said Premier David Eby. “From young leaders to experienced organizers, from ...

Sḵwálwen Botanicals: incorporating sustainability into plant-based skincare products

Photo: Leigh Joseph, Skwálwen Botanicals, 2020 Indigenous Business Award recipient Sḵwálwen Botanicals exemplifies the profound intersection between sustainability and Indigenous business practices. Based in Squamish, Sḵwálwen Botanicals is a recipient of the 2020 Indigenous Business Award, showcasing its dedication to both cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.  Skwálwen creates small batch botanical skincare products based on Indigenous plant science while honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge. Its products incorporate wild harvested plants with organic, high-quality ingredients. As an ethnobotanist and scientist, founder, and PhD candidate, Leigh Joseph leads ...