Indigenous Business Award

Announcing Kúkwpi7 Willie Sellars and Tsetasiya Geena Jackson at the 2025 IBA Gala

June 3, 2025
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 ...

RBC advances Indigenous Business and Community Award programming at BC Achievement Foundation with an $80,000 sponsorship

May 28, 2025
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) May 28, 2025: BC Achievement Foundation is pleased to announce RBC as its inaugural Platform Partner through an $80,000 sponsorship supporting two BC Achievement programs: Indigenous Business and Community. The support represents RBC’s investment in honouring excellence in Indigenous business and community leadership. “We are proud to welcome RBC as BC Achievement’s inaugural Platform Partner in acknowledgement of extraordinary and foundational cross-program sponsorship and its generous commitment,” said Walter Pela, BC Achievement Board Chair. “This transformative support reflects RBC’s ...

Q&A Inside the Indigenous Business Program: Angela Marston on Impact and Sponsorship

May 1, 2025
Photo: Angela Marston (Statu Stsuhwum), IBA Program Director Since 2008, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program has been celebrating and recognizing Indigenous business excellence in BC. Right now, the program is in full flight with nominations secured and the jury busy evaluating each submission – we caught up with IBA Program Director Angela Marston to see what the program’s focus is during the current selection phase and how she’s engaging with community. Q: Hi Angela, It’s good to have another update chat with you – and ...

22nd Annual Community Award Recipients named by BC Achievement Foundation

May 1, 2025
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish)and səlilwətaɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) May 1, 2025: Premier David Eby and Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, today named the recipients of the 22nd 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 engaged communities. “The recipients of this year’s Community Award remind us that the strength of British Columbia lies in the compassion, creativity, and commitment ...

Building Community and Making Connection: Highlights from the Inaugural IBA Alumni Social 

April 1, 2025
On Thursday, March 27, BC Achievement was honoured to host the inaugural Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Alumni Social, a special evening dedicated to recognizing the achievements of Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders from across British Columbia.  Since 2009, more than 225 Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs have been honoured through the IBA program. The Alumni Social was created to celebrate this growing community, bringing past recipients together to connect, collaborate, and continue building momentum for Indigenous business excellence.  This year’s theme, “Making Connections,” emphasized the importance ...

Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs: The Impact of Recognition and Support 

March 25, 2025
Since its inception in 2009, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program serves as a powerful platform celebrating the achievements of Indigenous entrepreneurs across British Columbia. Now in its 17th year, the IBA has expanded its reach, showcasing the innovation and determination of over 236 Indigenous businesses. This growing network of entrepreneurs is helping to pave the way for others, demonstrating the strength and potential of Indigenous-led businesses.  A key to the program’s success is its ability to highlight the diversity and excellence of Indigenous businesses ...