First Nation reaps reward in business

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The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) announced the winners of its Business Achievements Awards in Toronto on Sept. 26. The awards celebrate Canadian companies that have made a great impact in Aboriginal and minority business development.

The Small Business of the Year Award will be given to Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON), an Aboriginal business community located 50 km east of Dryden, Ont. The company, which is 100 per cent owned by the community, produces a variety of innovative, eco-friendly products, including organic Wild Rice Health Bars, extreme outer apparel and environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Thanks to heavy investment in research and development, WLON's product line increased from five to 19, and its sales grew 105 per cent over the last two years. Its products are listed in the Acklands Grainger national catalogue, the leading source for industrial supplies in North America.

The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) is the winner of the Partnership Award, which is presented for excellence in partnerships or strategic alliances intended to facilitate procurement opportunities with Aboriginal and minority-owned businesses. AWPI is an initiative launched by the federal government to promote increased participation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian economy. AWPI has been working to promote Aboriginal procurement and has made significant strides toward the development of an Aboriginal Benefits Policy that would apply to the federally regulated sectors of the Canadian economy.

Charles Gastle, adjunct professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, will be honored with the Procurement Business Advocate of the Year Award. Dr. Gastle has conducted extensive research into the economic importance of Aboriginal and minority business integration. He is a widely published author, and was recently commissioned by the Canadian government to write a paper on Aboriginal culture and international trade. Dr. Gastle also mentors and encourages his law students to advance Aboriginal, minority and social justice causes.

The Supplier of the Year Award will be given to Metro Label, a Scarborough, Ont.-based South Asian success story. The company leads the North American market in the production of pressure sensitive labels, generating $60 million in sales this year, including $3 million in export sales, an increase of 91 per cent over the past two years.

DaimlerChrysler, a CAMSC founding member, will be recognized as Corporation of the Year.

"In highlighting the successes of these companies, we are showcasing some of the forward-thinking businesses that have recognized the tremendous positive impact Aboriginals and minorities have in the development of the Canadian economy," said Orrin Benn, president, CAMSC. "We are incredibly proud of these organizations and we sincerely commend their efforts towards building a truly diverse and productive Canadian business community."

The awards will be given at a gala dinner on Oct. 12 in Toronto.

CAMSC is an independent, non-profit organization that aims to boost economic development efforts, employment and inclusion for Aboriginal and visible minority businesses through business relations and mentoring. For more information, visit www.camsc.ca.