Celebrating Aboriginal Business 24th Annual NADF Business Awards

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, ON: On Thursday, October 30, 2014, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) hosted the 24th Annual NADF Business Award – Canada’s longest running Aboriginal business awards program – to celebrate Aboriginal business in northern Ontario. Eight award recipients were recognized for their achievements and contributions to local and regional economies at a gala dinner at Thunder Bay’s Valhalla Inn.

Brian Davey, Executive Director, “This evening’s award recipients are a testament of the contributions that Aboriginal business makes to the economy of Northern Ontario. There are many opportunities out there, and it is our hope that by celebrating their achievements it will encourage Aboriginal entrepreneurs, especially those aspiring entrepreneurs, to look around their community and the region for business opportunities. We have seen an improvement in Northern Ontario’s economy and are seeing more participation by our Aboriginal communities and members in the business world, as we have seen here tonight.”

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund was pleased to welcome Mr. Ovide Mercredi, former Regional Chief and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and co-presenter Samer F. Salameh, CEO, Azteca Telecom and TotalMovies, to provide a keynote address to the 180 guests in attendance.

Since, 1991, this non-profit event has been a fundraiser for the Dennis Franklin Cromarty Memorial Fund: a bursary fund for post-secondary students seeking academic achievement, and the NADF Sponsorship Fund: a fund established by NADF to respond to sponsorship and donation requests, and provide humanitarian assistance to aid in disaster and crisis relief.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year              Corporation of the Year
Businesswoman of the Year                     Executive of the Year
Businessman of the Year                          Partnership of the Year
Building Communities                              New Business of the Year

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