BC ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION REVEALS RECIPIENTS OF ITS 17TH ANNUAL INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD PROGRAM

The BC Achievement Foundation is honoured to announce the recipients of its 17th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program. The award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises. It is one of five programs led by BC Achievement, an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province.

“The 2025 Indigenous Business Award recipients embody the strength, vision, and wisdom of their Nations,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Their entrepreneurial journeys are deeply rooted in community, land, and culture—honouring tradition while driving innovation. These leaders are building businesses that uplift future generations and reaffirm the vital role of Indigenous economies across these territories. BC Achievement is honoured to celebrate their successes.”

Now in its 17th year, the Indigenous Business Award program shares remarkable stories of Indigenous business excellence – while setting an inspiring example for the next generation of entrepreneurs. In addition to providing an authentic space to showcase successes and drive change, the award program helps build stronger connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies in the province. It counts over 230 business leaders within its alumni. 

The awardee selection was made by a jury panel that included Tim Low, ANTCO Board President and member of Métis Nation BC; Ernie (Bones) George, CEO of Inlailawatash Natural Resource Services (2015 IBA alumni); and Ashley O’Neil owner of AshFireWear and an IBA 2024 alumna. 

This year’s recipients include:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year:

4 Generations Creations, Kamloops

Business of the Year – one-to-two-person enterprise

Touch of Culture, West Vancouver

Business of the Year – three-to-ten-person enterprise:

Authentic Indigenous Seafood Co-operation, Kamloops

Business of the Year – 11+ person enterprise:

Salish Soils, Sechelt

Community-owned Business of the Year – one entity:

Skwlāx Resource Management Ltd, Chase

Community-owned Business of the Year – two or more entities: 

Khowutzun Development Corporation, Duncan

Business Partnership of the Year: 

Kettle River Contracting LP, Cranbrook

Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement:

Harold Calla, Squamish Nation

The recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Business Award will be recognized during a formal gala ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The event is open to the public, and early bird tickets can be purchased for $250 per person online here. Awardees will receive a certificate and medallion to honour their achievements and be celebrated through an online campaign, #shinethelightbc.

Interviews with representatives of the BC Achievement Foundation, as well as IBA recipients, are available upon request. A media kit, which includes awardee bios and high-resolution images, is available here.

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or Indigenous Business Award program, please visit www.bcachievement.com. 

The IBA program is presented by the BC Achievement Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan). It is generously supported by Platform Partner RBC, along with program sponsors: Ovintiv, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, New Relationship Trust, Seaspan, West Fraser, ANTCO, BCLC, Fortis BC, and SFU Beedie School of Business.