Meet five Indigenous business leaders demonstrating innovation and resilience.
We at IEF-FIE are proud to announce that Carol Anne Hilton, Joella Hogan, Patrick Hunter, Shannon Loutitt and Joel Heath are semi-finalists for The 2021 CANIE Awards Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year, presented by NACCA.
This prize recognizes their excellence and outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship. Supporting and amplifying the work of these entrepreneurs is one small way to showcase and celebrate their diversity, resilience and innovation of Indigenous businesses while contributing to their long-term success.
“Acknowledging and celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country is an important priority for The CANIE Awards, recognizing the many unique barriers they face.” said Kayla Isabelle, Executive Director of the Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation and CEO of Startup Canada. These semi-finalists and so many others have shown real determination, innovation and adaptability in the face of the pandemic to ensure their businesses continue
moving forward. Their successes benefit both their own communities and all of Canada.”
Individual Indigenous Entrepreneur semi-finalist profile/promotional videos will roll out from tomorrow (on our website), July 20th to July 29th 2021 in the order laid out below:
Meet the 2021 NACCA Indigenous Entrepreneur Award finalists:
Carol Anne Hilton
Indigenomics Institute
DATE: 20th July 2021
Location: Victoria, BC
Carol Anne Hilton is the CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics. A dynamic business leader, author, speaker and senior advisor with an international Masters Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England, she is also an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University’s School of Business. Author of Indigenomics – Taking a Seat at the Economic Table, Carol Anne was the only Indigenous person appointed to the Canadian Economic Growth Council as a senior advisor to the federal Finance Minister. She most recently served on the BC Emerging Economy Taskforce and with the BC Indigenous Business and Investment Council. Learn more: indigenomicsinstitute.com
Joella Hogan
The Yukon Soaps Company
DATE: 21st July 2021
Location: Mayo, YK
Coming from a long line of strong, vibrant Indigenous women, Joella Hogan is a First Nation of Nacho Nyäk Dun, of the crow clan, and the entrepreneur behind The Yukon Soaps Company. Through different lines of hand-crafted soaps, she works to embody elements and special talents of her matriarchs and community: teachers, healers, bush women, social advocates and cultural leaders. She was the founder and leader of the Heritage and Culture Department of the First Nation of Nacho Nyäk Dun for more than a decade and today works as an independent consultant. She is also an active volunteer and Northern community advocate, with leadership roles at organizations including the Stewart Valley Community Market, the Silver Trail Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association and the Yukon University Mayo Campus Committee. Learn more:
yukonsoaps.com
Patrick Hunter
Patrick Hunter Art & Design
DATE: 27th July 2021
Location: Toronto, ON
Patrick Hunter is a 2-Spirit Ojibway artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. Since 2014, he has been growing Patrick Hunter Art & Design, specializing in fine and digital artwork with the intent to create broader awareness of Indigenous culture and iconography. He has collaborated with eBay Canada, RBC, EGALE Canada, STAPLES, ROGERS and many other corporate clients. Patrick was also the first Artist in Residence for the Prince’s Trust Canada, a Royal charity supporting the reclamation of Indigenous languages in Canada. His dream is to create a positive future for his people. Learn more: patrickhunter.ca
Shannon Loutitt
International Indigenous Speakers Bureau
DATE: 28th July 2021
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Shannon Loutitt is the powerhouse woman behind the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau (IISB), which is revolutionizing the way the world views Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. The first and only bureau of its kind in a global, multi-billion-dollar industry, IISB provides access to the abundance of untapped solutions that Indigenous people provide. IISB was founded on a core belief that by bringing together Indigenous experts with the western world, in a way that is mutually respectful and honouring, we create unlimited possibilities. As a Cree Métis raised in Treaty 8 and 6 Territory (Alberta and Saskatchewan), Shannon has seen firsthand the powerful potential when indigenous and non-indigenous come together in a good way. Learn more: iisb.ca
Joel Heath
Arctic Eider Society
DATE: 29th July 2021
Location: Sanikiluaq, NU
Joel Heath is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Arctic Eider Society, a registered charity working to deliver Indigenous-driven solutions for thriving communities across Hudson Bay and Inuit Nunangat. Dedicating his career to enabling access to new technologies, supporting self-determination and fighting for Indigenous rights, Joel is a researcher, educator and steward of his community. His mobile platform SIKU, The Indigenous Knowledge Social Network, is by and for Inuit people and is the only medical platform putting Indigenous health first. And his 2014 film People of a Feather was nominated for Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Screen awards and won multiple prizes internationally. Learn more: arcticeider.com
About The CANIE Awards:
Celebrating Innovators and Entrepreneurs with seven award categories in five regions across Canada. The finalists will be announced later this summer and a grand finale will be held in October 2021 to further celebrate the winners where they will receive up to $10,000 in prizes. #CANIEAwards
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS, CONTACT:
awards@ief-fie.ca
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Social Copy + Handles
NACCA (PARTNER)
TW: @NACCAinfo
FB: @NACCAinfo
LI: @naccainfo
Twitter:
Carol Anne Hilton @Hesquiaht
Shannon Loutitt @loutitt_shannon ; @iispeakers
Joel Heath @JoelPHeath ; @ArcticEider
Instagram:
Joella Hogan @yukonsoapcompany
Patrick Hunter @patrickhunter_art
Shannon Loutitt @superdupershan
Facebook
Joella Hogan @Theyukonsoapscompany
Patrick Hunter @Patrick.Hunter.Art/
Shannon Loutitt @internationalindigenousspeakersbureau
Joel Heath @Joel Heath
LinkedIn
Carol Anne Hilton
Joella Hogan
Patrick Hunter
Shannon Loutitt
Joel Heath
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