Chief Clarence Louie and Ruth Williams 2011 Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame Inductees

 

 

 

Toronto, ON – January 27, 2011 – The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ (CCAB) 2011 Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame Awards this year will be presented to Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band, British Columbia and Ruth Williams, Chief Executive Officer, All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO), British Columbia. The Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame (ABHF) recognizes their accomplishments in achieving sustainable economic development in Aboriginal communities.

The ABHF is in its 7th year of recognizing the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal business leaders from across Canada. The newest laureates will be honoured at the CCAB’s 13th Annual Toronto Gala Dinner on February 15, 2011, at the Four Seasons Hotel. The host for the evening will be Canada AM’s Seamus O’Regan, with the Honourable Brian Tobin delivering the keynote speech. The ABHF award recognizes individual achievement and the successes of the current and past laureates indicate the growing strength and prominence of the Aboriginal business community in Canada. Chief Clarence Louie, who was also named a Transformational Canadian by the Globe & Mail, says that he joins a group of distinguished Aboriginal business leaders and adds “I share this success with my community because my accomplishments are my communities”.

“The nominees demonstrate success in business and a commitment to their communities,” said Jack MacDonald, chair of the ABHF selection committee and Chairman, Compass Group Canada and ESS North America. “For example, Ruth Williams has overseen the provision of over 1300 loans to Aboriginal people in B.C. and an increase in ANTCO value from $339,000 to $15.7MM to-date; she has also played a leadership role in the formation of 8 non-profit organizations while in her role at ANTCO.

Ruth Williams says “Over the course of my career, I have seen tremendous growth in Aboriginal business capacity and that it has been a privilege to work with so many successful Aboriginal business people”. Williams adds” This award is really about the increasing prosperity and success of Aboriginal business in Canada”.

The Aboriginal business community contributes substantially to the overall economic success of Canada according to Clint Davis, President and CEO of CCAB. Davis sees the success of the ABHF laureates as an indicator of that contribution and notes that changes in Canadian demographics and economy will “continue to position Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community development corporations as significant players in the economy”.

About ESS and Compass Group Canada: ESS, a member of Compass Group Canada, is the founding and exclusive sponsor for the ABHF. Compass Group Canada is the country’s leading foodservice and support services company serving markets that include business and industry dining, vending, healthcare, hospitals, educational institutions, sports and entertainment, remote sites, and travel concessions across Canada, Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more visit www.compass-canada.com.

ABOUT CCAB: The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada.

For more information please contact:

Chris Allicock, Amberlight Productions, (416) 694-3131/ Cell (416) 319-8003
callicock[at]amberlight.ca

Amberlight Productions
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416-694-3131
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