Atlantic entrepreneurs honored



Atlantic entrepreneurs honored

Page 16

The stage was set and the stars were out as chiefs, business leaders and community representatives from across the Atlantic region were on hand for the second annual Atlantic Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awards Gala.

This event was hosted by Ulnooweg Development Group on Sept. 12 in Sydney, N.S. More than 300 people attended. Well-known Mi'kmaq celebrities Jimmy Augustine and Candy Palmater performed masters of ceremonies duties. Augustine was one of the recipients of the Export of the Year award at last's year's inaugural event for his recording studio Thunder Spirit. Candy Palmater's talents are far ranging, but her incredible gift of humor is by far one of the most magical gifts of all.

There were 12 awards given out in 10 categories. The top award, Entrepreneur of the Year, was presented to John Bernard, president of Donna Cona, the largest Aboriginally-owned IT company in Canada. He is a member of the Madawaska First Nation in New Brunswick where he started his company, which is now nationally known. His sister, Chief Joanna Bernard, was with him as he received the award, presented to him by Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to basket maker Caroline Gould of Waycobah First Nation and gas and convenience store owner Ben Sylliboy of Eskasoni.

The Band Enterprise award was awarded by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to two recipients, Metepenagiag Adventure Lodge in New Brunswick and Eskasoni Supermarket in Eskasoni, N.S. The Youth Entrepreneur of the Year was presented by Aboriginal Business Canada to Tammy Belanger for Greenleaf Enterprises in Wilmot, N.S.

The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Margaret Pelletier of Waycobah First Nation for her award winning basketry business.

The Economic Development Officer of the Year Award went to Anita Boyle of Metepenagiag First Nation, recognizing her long-time commitment to the entire region. The four provincial awards were also handed out. The Prince Edward Island awards went to Jacob Jadis for his ink cartridge refill business, Ink Isle in Charlottetown. The Nova Scotia Award went to Robin Googoo's Mi'kmaq Gas and Convenience Store in Membertou First Nation. The New Brunswick provincial award went to Barbara Calderone's Pabineau powwow business in Pabineau Falls First Nation and the Newfoundland and Labrador prize went to Mary Jane Edmonds of Labrador for her company Innu Med in partnership with FGI World.

All recipients received engraved stone slate award sdesigned by Paul and Anne Martin of Sunflower Slate in Tatamagouche, N.S. and a limited edition print entitled Mi'kmaq Worldview by Mi'kmaw artist Teresa Marshall of Millbrook First Nation. Bernard, also received an original painting presented to him at the show by Marshall.