Indigenous Business Lifetime Achievement Award

CCIB grants six annual awards recognizing Indigenous business success.

Indigenous Business Lifetime Achievement Award

Indigenous Business Award graphic for Lifetime Achievement with CCIB logo on a purple background.
Scotiabank logo

This award honours exceptional Indigenous business leaders from across the country who have reached advanced stages in their careers and have established a lasting legacy. It recognizes their lifelong contributions to business, community, culture, and the broader Indigenous economy.

2026 Nominations are now closed for this award.

The Award was presented in Toronto at the Central Business Forum & Awards Dinner on February 26, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

This award honours exceptional Indigenous business leaders from across the country who have reached advanced stages in their careers and have established a lasting legacy. It recognizes their lifelong contributions to business, community, culture, and the broader Indigenous economy.

Turtle symbol representing Turtle Island

Business Leadership and Excellence

  • An ethical leader and role model for others in the Indigenous business community.
  • Commitment to provide meaningful training and education opportunities to employees, fostering the next generation of leaders.
Flower symbol representing growth and community

Commitment to Building Capacity

  • Pursues innovative practices for a lasting impact on their industry and community.
  • Successfully adapted to changing market conditions, demonstrating resilience and the ability to evolve over time.
Star symbol representing achievement or excellence

Measurable Results

  • Shows clear, measurable outcomes from their business efforts, including economic development, job creation, and community improvement.
  • Shown a consistent track record of business performance, including sustained revenue growth, profitability, and market presence.
Forest symbol representing land and natural resources

Community Impact

  • Has contributed to economic prosperity in their community, including job creation and business development.
  • Has actively engaged with and supported their community and demonstrated a commitment to giving back.
  • Integrated Indigenous cultural values into their business model and operations, ensuring cultural integrity in all aspects.

Current Recipient

Sean Willy - IBLA Headshot

2026

Sean Willy

Past Recipients

Micheal McDonald IBLA Headshot

2025

Michael McDonald

Hilda Broomfield Letemplier

2024

Hilda Broomfield Letemplier

Dawn Madahbee Leach

2023

Dawn Madahbee Leach

Robert Louie

2022

Robert Louie

John Bernard

2021

John Bernard

Chief Terrance Paul

2020

Chief Terrance Paul

Brenda Larose - IBLA Headshot

2019

Brenda LaRose

Harry Flaherty - IBLA Headshot

2018

Harry Flaherty

Herbert Belcourt - IBLA Headshot

2017

The late Dr. Herbert Belcourt

Chief_Darcy_Bear_-_Bio_Photo__current__cropped_2

2016

Chief Darcy Bear

Mel_Benson_cropped

2015

The late Mel E. Benson

William MacLeod - IBLA Headshot

2014

William MacLeod

2013

Jim Thunder

& C.T. (Manny) Jules

2012

The late Gregory Koostachin

35 years of business leadership in his community Attawapiskat First Nation

2012

Dave Tuccaro

Founder, President and CEO of Tuccaro Group of Companies

2011

Chief Clarence Louie

Elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band since 1985

2011

Ruth Williams

CEO of All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO)

2010

Pita Aatami

President of Makivik Corporation and Chairman of First Air and Director of Air Inuit

2010

Mervin Dewasha

CEO of Neegan Burnside

2009

Jim Boucher

Chief of Fort McKay First Nation and Chairman of the Board of the Fort McKay Group of Companies

2007

The Late Garfield Flowers

An Inuk from Hopedale, Newfoundland and Labrador

2006

Fred Carmichael

A Gwich’in from the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal aviation pioneer

2006

The late Suzanne Rochon-Burnett

A Métis from Ontario who founded the first Aboriginal owned radio station

2005

The late Dr. Billy “Chief’ Diamond

A northern Quebec Cree, and founder of Air Creebec

2005

Irvin Goodon

A Métis from Boissevain, Manitoba and founder of Canada’s largest post frame construction company

Have questions about CCIB Awards?

Demonstrate how nominee is an ethical leader and role model for others in the Indigneous business community. Describe and show evidence of commitment to providing meaningful training and education opportunities to employees, and fostering the next generation of leaders.

Please answer the following:

  • Outline the nominee’s specific business achievements and attributes. Highlight their entrepreneurial and leadership skills, vision, and dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for the Indigenous business community.

Noiminee pursues innovative practices that create lasting impact within their industry and community, while consistently adapting to changing market conditions with resilience and a proven ability to evolve over time.

Please answer the following:

  • Explain how the nominee’s business activities have empowered individuals or communities to better engage in the Canadian economy. Have they adopted new technologies, adapted to shifting markets, and shown potential for future growth?

Describe how nominee demonstrates clear, measurable outcomes from their business efforts, including economic development, job creation, and meaningful community impact, alongside a consistent track record of strong business performance marked by sustained revenue growth, profitability, and a solid market presence.

Please answer the following:

  • Describe how the nominee’s business initiatives have positively impacted the economic well-being of their community. Do they have a proven track record of strong business performance and can show clear, measurable results?

They have demonstrated a strong commitment to economic prosperity within their community by creating jobs, supporting business development, and actively engaging in initiatives that give back and strengthen local connections. Their work reflects a deep respect for Indigenous culture, with Indigenous values thoughtfully integrated into their business model and day-to-day operations, ensuring cultural integrity is upheld in all aspects of their work.

Please answer the following:

  • Describe the Nominee’s overall positive effect on the social and/or economic health of the community. Have they made a difference in the lives of Indigenous people through employment, community engagement or business development?  How have they integrated Indigenous cultural values into their business model and operations?

Nominees will be required to show additional documentation.

attachments:

  • Two letters of reference are required to complete the nomination.
  • Applicants must be able to provide proof of Indigenous heritage upon request, in alignment with the CCIB’s certification criteria. To review accepted documents of Indigenous heritage, please click here and scroll down to Proof of Indigenous heritage.

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