The festivities started at 5:50 p.m. with a champagne cocktail hour, a time to shmooze and see who was there. The meet and greet was well done and had a nice relaxed air except for some fool rushing around trying to make sure that all the interviews would fall into place. Wait, that was me!
March 4th marked the first time I attended the Mishtapew Awards of Excellence Gala, held this year at the Palais des Congres in Montreal. This would be the fourth consecutive gala hosted by the First People’s Business Association. The Awards of Excellence brings Natives and non-Natives together from across Canada to honour the success of Native entrepreneurs. This year, 41 businesses competed to win one of the 15 award categories.
Steven Bearskin of Cree Construction and National Aboriginal Economic Development gave the Trade and Services Award to Night Hawk Technologies on behalf of Industry Canada. Night Hawk Technologies specialize in network architecture, database design and management, programming and multi-media. It was Bearskin’s first time attending the Mishtapew Awards and he was well impressed. Other prominent Crees in attendance were Edward Gilpin, Chisasibi Chief Violet Pachanos and National Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, who gave an inspiring off-the-cuff speech in his role as co-chair for the event.
Scierie Opitciwan received the Native Business of the Year Award. Scierie Opitciwan Sawmill is a partnership between Obedjiwan Band Council and Donahue Forest Products. The sawmill has produced a radical change in the economy of the community.
Other native businesses recognized were;
Nunavik Arctic Foods with the Agri-food Award. Nunavik Arctic Foods, based out of Kuuijuak, sells caribou meat all around the world. You can get it as just plain meat, smoked, pates or sausage style just to name some of their products.
The Société de Communications Attikamekw-Montagnais (SOCAM) won the Communications Award. SOCAM has been around for over 20 years and has been instrumental in developing communications within it’s own communities.
Amalecite 1 was the recipient of the Business Creation Award. Amalecite 1 is a new commercial fishing venture started by the Malecite community of Viger. They fish for crab and shrimp and have agreements with fish processing plants. Amalecite 1 was set up within three months of the Marshall court case being concluded.
Terres En Vues received the Culture Award. Landinsight, the non-profit organization, has worked to promote understanding of Native cultures throughout Quebec and Canada since 1990. Every summer, those in Montreal can catch the “Native Presence” festival. It just keeps getting larger every year.
Bleuets Mistassini Ltee took the Exportation Award. This company exports to more than 17 countries around the world. Bleuets Mistassini Ltee is a family business that has provided jobs for Native and non-Native workers in the Lac Saint Jean region. The blueberries it exports travel as far as New Zealand, Israel and Thailand.
Shetush Electrique walked away with the Human Resources Award. Shetush Electrique started in 1988. It practices a Native hiring policy with on-the-job training. This allows the company to maintain the services of a team of electricians and apprentices who work independently in their home communities.
Grey Owl Marketing Ltd got the Partnership Award. It belongs to all the Indian communities that make up the Federation of Indian Nations of Saskatchewan. The Cree, Sioux Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Dene and Dakota First Nations got together and market wild rice from Saskatchewan, Minnesota and California. As well as enjoying a good market in the United States, Grey Owl Marketing Ltd is expanding into Europe. The company first opened its doors in 1984.
Sandokwa won the International Influence Award. The Dance Troupe has toured all over the world for the past 25 years promoting Wendat culture.
The Natural Resources Award went to Pisituuq Smoke Plant Inc. Arctic Char has proved to be a difficult catch to market but smoking the local caught fish proved to be the answer for Pisituuq Smoke Plant Inc.
Kitsaki Meats Ltd Partnership found it won the Local Support to Entrepreneurship Award. Kitsaki Meats Ltd Partnership makes and sells dried meat snacks and wild rice. You might have noticed their Northern Lights brand in your travels. Kitsaki Meats Ltd Partnership is owned by the Lac La Ronge Cree Indian Band Council from Saskatchewan.
The Tourism Award went to Musee Shaputuan for their hard work in reaching out to Native and non-Native visitors and teaching them Innu traditions, culture and history. It is seen as a major North Shore tourist attraction that contributes to the economic growth of the area.
It was great to see all the businesses that won get recognition for their accomplishments. If you choose to start a business yourself then you just may find a microphone in front of you one day when you receive your Award!
