Nominations Open for Forest Industry Aboriginal Business Award

 

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), Ottawa, Ont., Canada, and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) this week opened nominations for the 2015 Aboriginal Business Leadership Award. This annual $5,000 award recognizes and celebrates First Nations entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business that demonstrates business leadership, exceptional environmental and safety performance, and the delivery of high-quality products and services. The recipient should also demonstrate a strong, long-term commitment to the Aboriginal community, particularly in supporting Aboriginal employment.

"Our industry is pleased to again offer this award to recognize the leadership of an Aboriginal business working in the forest products sector," said David Lindsay, president and CEO of FPAC. "Under Vision2020, we are aiming to refresh our workforce with an additional 60,000 recruits by the end of the decade, and this includes a focus on Aboriginal engagement within our sector through employment, and business development."

"This award celebrates the enormous accomplishments and economic potential of Aboriginal businesses," says JP Gladu, president and CEO of CCAB. "Our organization aims to showcase the leadership and contributions of outstanding Aboriginal business in Canada and that the forest sector is a major contributor to the health and vitality of our Aboriginal communities."

There are now approximately 1,400 Aboriginal owned businesses in Canada, and about 17,000 Aboriginal people working in the sector, making the forest products industry among the largest employers for First Nations workers.

This is the sixth time that the award will be handed out. The award nominees are judged against six criteria: business leadership, longevity, employment of Aboriginal peoples, safety and environmental performance, consistency of goods and services provided, and commitment to the Aboriginal community. Nominations are due by August 28.  The award will be presented at the CCAB Annual Vancouver Gala on Sept. 24, 2015. More information is available online.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $58-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers, operating in hundreds of communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada's economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada.