Tahltan Nation Development Corporation First Wholly Owned Indigenous Corporation to Join Business Council of BC

TAHLTAN NATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FIRST WHOLLY OWNED INDIGENOUS CORPORATION TO JOIN BUSINESS COUNCIL OF BC

November 23, 2022 – Vancouver- Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Territories – The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) welcomes Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) as the newest member and the first wholly owned Indigenous corporation to join the BCBC. TNDC is joining other major employers from across the province’s diverse economy and regions who come together as BCBC members to advance sustainable economic opportunities that benefit all British Columbia residents.

“The Business Council represents the province’s largest and leading enterprises with operations in all sectors and corners of British Columbia. As one of the largest employers in the Northwest, we look forward to TNDC’s partnership as members of the Council,” said Greg D’Avignon, the Business Council’s president and CEO. “Advancing meaningful reconciliation includes enabling the full Indigenous participation in British Columbia’s economy. The BCBC is acting on reconciliation through initiatives which support improved collaboration, learning and opportunities among Indigenous communities and the private sector. TNDC’s equal seat at the Business Council table builds upon those efforts to advance self-determination and sole-source revenue for Indigenous peoples around B.C.”

“TNDC’s goal is to be the Indigenous Partner of Choice – an integrated full-service provider and trusted partner to our clients. TNDC is pleased to now be a full member of the Business Council of BC, joining our peers in the province’s business community to strengthen the investment climate and support sustainable prosperity for the Tahltan Nation and all people living in British Columbia,” said Paul Gruner, CEO, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation. 

In 2021, TNDC was rated by Business in Vancouver as the biggest First Nations business in B.C. and was rated #3 for 2022. In 2022, TNDC received the Indigenous Business of the Year Award at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference, was named to the INDIGENOMICS 2022 10 To Watch List and was welcomed as a new member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

In 2016, the Business Council entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the B.C. Assembly of First Nations to advance reconciliation, mutual understanding and respect and support capacity building among Indigenous communities that enables economic opportunities to help close the social and economic gaps among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in B.C. This groundbreaking work was realized through the leadership of 14 Chiefs, including former Chief Rick McLean of the Tahltan Nation as a founding member of the BC Assembly of First Nations / BCBC Champions Table of Chiefs and CEOs.

Since that first MOU, the BCBC has also partnered with the First Nations Climate Initiative and the First Nations Major Project Coalition. The latter partnership has included advocacy for improved Indigenous access to capital to enable full participation as project owners and sustaining income for Indigenous communities.

About the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) – the business arm of the Tahltan Nation – is owned by its shareholders – Iskut Band, Tahltan Band, and Tahltan Central Government – and profits are returned to the shareholders for initiatives to benefit Tahltan members.

TNDC was founded in 1985 by visionary, progressive Tahltan leaders who wanted to ensure the Tahltan Nation benefits from the economic activities and development occurring within Tahltan Territory and to provide employment, training, and contracting opportunities to Tahltan members. TNDC’s founders were Jerry Asp, General Manager of TNDC, Pat Etzerza, Chief of the Iskut Band, Vernon Marion, President of Tahltan Tribal Council and Ivan Quock, Chief of the Tahltan Band.

From its roots in residential construction, TNDC’s services have expanded to heavy construction, earthworks, camp services, air support, aviation, forestry, transportation, and fibre-optic communications services.

About the Business Council of British Columbia

Now in its 56th year as the premier business organization in British Columbia, the Business Council of B.C. is a non-partisan organization made up of over 200 leading companies, post-secondary institutions and industry associations from across B.C.’s diversified economy and in every region of B.C. The Council produces exceptional public policy research and advocacy and convenes sectors, governments and Indigenous Nations in support of creating a competitive, and productive economy for the benefit of all British Columbians.

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Contacts:

Deena Tokaryk
Communications Manager
Tahltan Nation Development Corporation
778.552.5082
communications@tndc.ca

Greg Descantes
Media Relations
Business Council of British Columbia
604.417.1379
greg@pacegroup.com