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CCAB AND ESS ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

CCAB AND ESS ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Chief Darcy Bear is the recipient of CCAB’s 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award

December 3, 2015, Toronto, ON — The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and ESS
Support Services (a member of Compass Group Canada) would like to announce that the recipient of the
2016 Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame (ABHF) Lifetime Achievement Award is Chief Darcy Bear of Whitecap Dakota First Nation. For 23 years, Chief Darcy Bear has overseen the transformation of his community, increasing opportunity and prosperity against formidable odds.

In 1992, the community was dealing with significant debt and few prospects. Chief Bear and Whitecap developed a financial management plan that lead to the development of a self-governing Land Code, giving the community the power to sell long-term lease hold interests. This gave the community the funds it needed to spur economic development, creating a golf course that is now number one in Saskatchewan and one of the top 20 golf courses in Canada. It also allowed for the development vital infrastructure to the community. Through a combination of smart financial planning, great partnerships, and prudent business development, Whitecap was able to complete a three year financial plan in two years and repay debt on the golf course in half the time.

“We went from a 70 per cent unemployment rate, to a 5 per cent unemployment rate; we now have
680 jobs with 500 people commuting from Saskatoon on a daily basis to come and work in our community,” said Chief Darcy Bear during an interview with NationTalk.

In a letter praising Chief Darcy Bear, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said: “Under Chief Bear’s leadership, Whitecap Dakota First Nation has gained status and respect as an economic force within our province. His ability-a talent I have seen firsthand-to work with both governments and business in a constructive way to find solutions and achieve results is widely recognized.”

“Chief Darcy Bear is involved in so many different pillars of business and community development. As a both a community and a business leader his portfolio is incredibly dynamic. Chief Bear and Whitecap Dakota First Nation’s story is inspirational. His personal accomplishments are many and diverse, and he truly embodies what the Lifetime Achievement award is all about,” said Michael Hachey, President of ESS North America.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis business person whose community leadership and business success has made a substantive contribution to the economic and social well-being of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. This award is given at CCAB’s Annual Toronto Gala.

“Chief Darcy Bear is a national leader and has made Whitecap Dakota First Nation a model of
community-driven business development. He is a leader who is respected by government, Canadian and Aboriginal businesses, and his own community. CCAB looks forward to honouring his 23 years of incredible service on February 2, 2016 at our annual Toronto gala,” said JP Gladu, President & CEO of CCAB.

Jacob Pratt is the recipient of CCAB’s 2016 National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award

December 3, 2015, Toronto, ON — The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and ESS Support Services (a member of Compass Group Canada), are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2016 National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award is Jacob Pratt, the founder and creative director of Wambdi, a performance and events company based in Saskatchewan. Since 2012, Wambdi has been providing high quality and culturally appropriate First Nations music, dance, and event services for corporate functions and in First Nations communities. It also offers workshops and youth training.

Jacob Pratt will receive $10, 000 to be put toward his business endeavours and will be honoured at CCAB’s annual Toronto Gala on February 2, 2016 in Toronto, along with the winner of the 2016 ABHF Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We had an impressive field of candidates this year. Youth Aboriginal entrepreneurship is growing in Canada in exciting ways. Jacob Pratt and Wambdi have brought traditional Aboriginal culture to the very competitive field of performance and events, and I look forward to seeing how Jacob expands his business. We’re very excited to have him as the recipient of this year’s award,” said Michael Hachey, President of ESS North America.

The Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame (ABHF) National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award is given each year to a First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis business person between the ages of
19 and 35 at CCAB’s Annual Toronto Gala, and celebrates an Aboriginal entrepreneur who is leading the
next generation of Aboriginal business owners and innovators.

“When we started the National Youth Entrepreneur Award we did it to highlight the future of Aboriginal business in Canada. Jacob Pratt demonstrates how Aboriginal peoples are creating new, exciting models of business while bringing forward culture and tradition. I congratulate Jacob on this award and I look forward to celebrating his accomplishments at our annual Toronto gala,” said JP Gladu, President & CEO of CCAB.

To learn more about this year’s gala visit https://www.ccab.com/18th-annual-toronto-gala.

For more information please contact:

Andre Morriseau
Director, Awards & Communications
647-970-7661 amorriseau@ccab.com
Saira Husain
Corporate Communications Manager, Compass Group Canada
905-568-4636 x7432
Saira.Husain@compass-canada.com

About CCAB
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit, non-partisan association, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and businesses across Canada.

About ESS Support Services
ESS Support Services, a member of Compass Group Canada, leads the market in providing food and support services to major companies operating in the oil and gas, mining, construction and defense sectors. In the defense, remote and offshore sectors, we provide vital workplace support for every aspect of daily community life in large-scale accommodation centres, or “villages”, which are “home” to thousands of workers for whom a hot nutritious meal, a clean bed, freshly laundered work wear and quality recreation are essential comforts – 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Our experience and proven competence, our commitment to health and safety and ability to effectively mobilize at anytime, anywhere, have earned us an enviable reputation for providing fully integrated food and support services for global clients.

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About The Author

MUSKRAT Magazine

MUSKRAT is an on-line Indigenous arts, culture magazine that honours the connection between humans and our traditional ecological knowledge by exhibiting original works and critical commentary. MUSKRAT embraces both rural and urban settings and uses media arts, the Internet, and wireless technology to investigate and disseminate traditional knowledges in ways that inspire their reclamation.

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