The 2016 Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Business Awards took place at a gala event in Parksville on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5. The awards were held in conjunction with a two-day business conference, also presented by NEDC.
Approximately 50 people attended the conference during the day. More than 100 people attended the awards ceremony, which featured a performance by the Le-la-la Dance Group.
NEDC Chairman Charlie Cootes welcomed everyone saying it was an honor to make the presentations to a fine group of entrepreneurs.
Jennifer Gallic has been with NEDC since 2008 working in business services as a business support officer. She introduced each of the award winners, describing the businesses they operate and how they achieved success.
The first award presented was the Best Arts & Cultural Business Award, which went to Melody Charlie of Yucluthaht First Nation, who owns a business called First Nations Photographer. Charlie is, for the most part, self-taught. She launched her business in 2011. She promotes aboriginal culture through her work and has been hired by various agencies and individuals across Canada. Charlie could not attend the event to accept her award.
The Best Environmental & Sustainable Business Award went to Gordon Cyr, owner of Mason Bee Central. Starting with 20,000 Mason bees in 2008, Cyr has expanded his business raising more than 200,000 bees that help farmers produce more fruit by pollinating their product, increasing their yield substantially.
Cyr is Métis. He said he appreciated the help he received from the NEDC to grow his business and for their continuous support as he moves forward.
The Best Youth-owned Business went to Shae Doiron Painting and Decorating. Doiron, from Tseshaht/Yucluthaht, said she overcame addiction and other hurdles to get where she is today. She said she is grateful to her parents and to her 13 year-old son who inspire her to succeed. She strives to give back by giving others opportunities.
“I want to do my best to employ our people and I thank my parents for always being there,” she said.
The Best New Business Award went to COBS Bread Suter Brook owned by Melissa Holt of Tseshaht. COBS Bread is a franchise bakery. This particular bakery is located in Port Moody, BC.
In 2014 COBS Bread Suter Brook was facing closure. Holt purchased the business and committed to making it a success, putting in 17 hour days and serving 300 to 470 customers daily.
She takes pride in making fresh bread from scratch.
“Even though we're a franchise we are the fastest growing COBS in British Columbia,” said Holt.
The Outstanding Business Achievement Award went to Hesquiaht elder Patrick Charleson Sr. who owns Taa-Wa Fish Company Ltd.
Charleson, age 86, said he started fishing with his father 80 years ago, when he was six years old. At age 19 he built his first boat; a 42' trawler he named Eileen C, after his late daughter.
Charleson incorporated his fishing company in 1978 and credits his hard working crew for upholding his company's great reputation.
Now retired, Charleson's son has taken over business operations.
The NEDC Business of the Year award went to Totem Tree Services owned by James Potter of Tzeatchen First Nation.
Potter offers tree services and has come up with a unique marketing tool; showing gratitude to his customers with a personal touch. His send-out cards have generated massive word-of-mouth business, so much so that Potter doesn’t need to spend very much in advertising.
