The winners of the eighth annual BC Aboriginal Business Awards have been announced and they include a Kelowna business.
The owner of Defy Hair and Esthetics has been named as this year's Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The business located at 301 Highway 33 in Rutland offers a number of services including nail care, hair cuts, colours and much more. The business will be recognized and celebrated at a gala dinner ceremony in Vancouver on Oct. 19, 2016.
John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, will present the awards.
"Aboriginal entrepreneurship is vital to ensuring that all British Columbians benefit from our growing economy," said Premier Christy Clark. "The awards shine a spotlight on the important and expanding role of Aboriginal business in BC while showcasing successful Aboriginal entrepreneurs from across the province."
The BC Aboriginal Business Awards were launched in 2008 to honour and celebrate business excellence. A total of 15 Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises will be recognized at this year's gala dinner.
The BC Aboriginal Business Awards are presented by the BC Achievement Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and generously supported by New Relationship Trust, TD, Teck, BC Hydro, CN, Encana, Spectra Energy and MNPllp.
2016 BC Aboriginal Business Awardees
Business of the Year - one-to-two person enterprise:
Big Bear Services Wildlife Monitoring, Moberly Lake
Outstanding Achievement: 4TR Ventures Ltd., North Thompson
Business of the Year - three-to-10 person enterprise:
Callison & Hanna Law, Vancouver
Outstanding Achievement: Tim Tom Construction, Dawson Creek
Business of the Year - 10 or more person enterprise:
Getumdone Contracting Ltd., Houston
Outstanding Achievement: Tla'amin Convenience Store, Powell River
Community-Owned Business of the Year - one entity:
Tk'emlups Petro Canada/Carwash, Kamloops
Outstanding Achievement: Gitxsan Safety Services Inc., Hazleton
Outstanding Achievement: Rupert Lawn & Garden, Prince Rupert
Community-Owned Business of the Year - two or more entities:
Seyem' Qwantlen Business Group, Fort Langley
Outstanding Achievement: Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation, Penticton
Aboriginal - Industry Business Partnership of the Year:
Tsi Del Del Enterprises Ltd., Chilanko Forks
Aboriginal - Aboriginal Business Partnership of the Year:
Northern Native Broadcasting (CFNR), Terrace
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Defy Hair and Esthetics, Kelowna
Outstanding Achievement: Alpha-Omega Productions, Kamloops
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
