Awards honour commitment to business and to community

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December 1 was a time to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal entrepreneurs and organizations during the 14th annual Nishnawbe Aski Nation Business Awards handed out in Timmins.

This year's Youth Award was presented to Stan Kapanshesit, a member of the Moose Cree First Nation who co-owns and operates Solstice Productions. Along with partner Jay Monture, Kapanshesit provides DJ and public announcement services to the communities of Moosonee and Moose Cree First Nation. He also has a full-time job as an employment counsellor with the Mocreebec Council of the Cree Nation.

Philip Goodwin of Kashechewan First Nation was the winner in the Business Man Award.

Goodwin and his two sons opened a billiards and convenience store in their home community in July 2000-H & P Goodwin Store. Demand for the services provided by the store have already necessitated one expansion, and another move to a larger home is anticipated. Goodwin gives back to the community by employing local people, donating to help fund activities and sharing his business knowledge with other entrepreneurs.

The Business Woman Award was given to Rosemary Moonias, a member of the Constance Lake First Nation. Moonias has a business diploma from Confederation College in Thunder Bay and is working toward a public administration degree from Ryerson. After holding a number of managment positions within the community she is now manager of the Bannock House restaurant, where business has been so good expansion plans are in the works.

Carol Edwards was recipient of this year's Executive Award. Edwards has been manager of the Fort Albany Power Corporation for the past three years, during which time she has helped take the corporation's finances out of the red and into the black. Her commitment to teamwork within the company and to establishing good relationships with the customers she serves are part of the reason for the success.

This year's Partnership Award was presented to Caroline Yesno and Michael Slipperjack, owners of the Lakeview Store on Eabametoong First Nation. The business has been providing retail services to the community for the past three years. Yesno and Slipperjack work to provide employment-and much needed work experience-to young people from the community. They also volunteer their time to the John Hopkins initiative for promotion of diabetes awareness.

The Petaykawin Development Corporation is this year's recipient in the Development Corporation category, in recognition of the corporation's work in the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. The corporation has established a Just for the Day fishing program for area youth and has played a large role in development of a tourist lodge and conference centre amd a small business centre and completion of feasibility studies to identify other economic development opportunities. The corporation also provides financial services and small business loans to the community and operates a number of local businesses .

The Building Communities Award was presented to Shibogama Technical Services, one of four departments of the Shibogama First Nations Council. The department started out providing technical services on capital projects being undertaken by the council's member communities, but now provides services to other First Nations, helping them take on large scale projects designed to enhance community infrastructure.