You can use your smart phone to browse stories in the comfort of your hand. Simply browse this site on your smart phone.

    Using an RSS Reader you can access most recent stories and other feeds posted on this network.

    SNetwork Recent Stories

OAHS Awarded Indigenous Business of the Year

by pmnationtalk on January 23, 2018425 Views

The Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards were held Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario near Whitefish Island. The gala evening event started with an opening address from Acting President Don Mitchell whose remarks had a significant Indigenous focus, which continued throughout the evening. He acknowledged the traditional territory of the Ojibwe people where Sault Ste. Marie is located today and acknowledged the location’s traditional name Bawhating or ‘place of the rapids.’ He also spoke of the Robinson-Huron pre-Confederation Treaty signed in 1850.

Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) was the first recipient of the Indigenous Business of the Year. This award recognizes a business which is operating, or being managed, with a minimum of 51% ownership by an Indigenous person or group. To be considered, the business has distinguished itself by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy and consumer excellence, while showing leadership and dedication to the preservation of culture, values and identity.

Acting Executive Director Justin Marchand accepted the award on behalf of OAHS, “Thank you to our awesome staff across the Province and right here in Sault Ste. Marie and to our Board of Directors.” Sandra McBain, widow of the late Don McBain who was the founding Executive Director of OAHS, joined OAHS staff on stage in accepting the award. Justin commented, “Don dedicated his life to our organization but tonight we would like to give an extra
special thank you to Sandra for supporting Don and recognizing the long hours and the travel and the impact to her family. Tonight, we dedicate this award to Sandra.”

Sought-after by stakeholders for his peacemaking approach to consultation and reconciliation, Darrell Boissoneau, former Chief of Garden River First Nation, was the recipient of this year’s President’s Award. Initiated in 1982, the President’s Award recognizes someone who makes an exceptional effort, going above and beyond the call of duty, and in making a unique contribution in any area of business and community development. The recipient of this award is chosen by the Chamber’s Immediate Past President, who for this year, was Paul Johnson. Mr. Johnson remarked, “I was immediately struck by his passion, his openness, and his willingness to travel the path of understanding in relationship building.”

“The spirit of reconciliation and the history of this site is important,” said Chief Boissoneau. He discussed how we are moving forward together in reconciliation and discussed how stereotypes are being broken and noted Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services as an “example of the work our people are doing”. Don Mitchell later added, “with people like Darrell the fight is over, it’s time to work together.”

Media Contact

Angie Kilby
Office Administration/Communications
Telephone: 705-256-1876
Email: angiek@oahssc.ca

Please visit us at www.OntarioAboriginalHousing.ca
Miigwetch!

NT5

Send To Friend Email Print Story

Comments are closed.

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More