The late Mel E. Benson – 2015 IBLA Award

2015 The late Mel E. Benson Mel was president of Mel E. Benson Management Services Inc. a consulting firm working in various countries with a focus on First Nations/Corporate negotiations. Mel was also part owner of the private oil & gas company Tenax Energy Inc. Retired from Exxon International, Mel was a director of Suncor [...] Read More

Chief Darcy Bear – 2016 IBLA Award

2016 Chief Darcy Bear Chief Bear has been widely-recognized for his economic, business and cultural achievements. He was a recipient of the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan in 2005, he was named one of the "Ten Most Influential People" by Saskatchewan Business Magazine and was awarded the CANDO "Economic Developer of the Year" in 2006.In [...] Read More

The late Dr. Herbert Belcourt – 2017 IBLA Award

2017 The late Dr. Herbert Belcourt Respected Métis entrepreneur Herb Belcourt was the founder of several businesses including Belcourt Construction started in 1965, the third largest power-line company in Alberta that employed 265 in the field.  He was the author of Walking In The Woods: A Métis Journey  Published October 2006 by Brindle & Glass [...] Read More

Harry Flaherty – 2018 IBLA Award

2018 Harry Flaherty Born and raised in Grise Fiord, Nunavut, Harry’s early years in Canada’s most northern civilian community helped develop a strong understanding of the importance of family, community and self-reliance. “I’m reflective of the strength and perseverance I’ve gained from my parents, who were among the exiles transported to the North in the [...] Read More

Brenda LaRose – 2019 IBLA Award

2019 Brenda LaRose With over 25 years of experience, Brenda LaRose leads executive search engagements across a broad range of industries and sectors throughout Canada and internationally. Ms. LaRose’s expertise and strong knowledge of governance and business allows her to work closely with boards and executive teams to assess and identify strategies to attract and [...] Read More

John Bernard – 2021 IBLA Award

2021 John Bernard Discovering his love of computer technology early on, Mr. Bernard became one of the first Indigenous people in Canada to obtain a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering certificate. In 1996, he founded the Indigenous informatics firm, Donna Cona, which continues to provide successful opportunities for Indigenous people in the high-tech industry. Mr. Bernard and [...] Read More

Chief Terrance Paul – 2020 IBLA Award

2020 Chief Terrance Paul For nearly 37 years, Chief Terrance Paul has been a driving force behind Membertou First Nation’s success. He has doubled the land base and increased the employment rate to nearly 80 percent. Membertou is one of the wealthiest Indigenous communities in the country. His career began with the Boston Indian Council where he [...] Read More

Robert Louie – 2022 IBLA Award

2022 Robert Louie Robert Louie, LL.B, OC, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow Okanagan College is the former Chief (24 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate [...] Read More

Dawn Madahbee Leach – 2023 IBLA Award

2023 Dawn Madahbee Leach Dawn Madahbee Leach is a proud member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Since 1988, she has been General Manager of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, an Indigenous Financial Institution that provides financing and economic services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities throughout North-East [...] Read More

Michael McDonald – 2025 IBLA Award

2025 Michael McDonald Michael McDonald is a recently retired Indigenous rights and business lawyer, having specialized in major projects throughout Canada since 1990. Throughout his professional life, he has been a trusted advisor to Indigenous and other business leaders in the forestry, energy, mining, construction, environmental, and real estate sectors. McDonald was appointed Queen’s Counsel [...] Read More