Published Date: 2008/11/3 0:10:00
Article ID : 5449
Version 1.00
By Keven Drews
TOFINO — A Tofino resort and a water taxi as well as an Alberni Valley organic farm and a spa were named the region’s top Aboriginal businesses by the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation Saturday.
During a luncheon at the Tin Wis Best Western Resort, Brenda Read, vice-chair of the NEDC, named Tin Wis as Business of the Year and Port Alberni’s Incredible Edibles as the Best Environmental and Sustainable Business.
She also presented John Tom, a Tla-o-qui-aht member and owner of John Tom Water Taxi, with an Outstanding Business Achievement Award, and Michelle LaPointe, of Metis decent and owner of Port Alberni’s EM Salon & Spa, with the 2008 NEDC Youth Business Award.
“This past year, Tin Wis was recognized by the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC with the Strength in Marketing Award,” said Read. “And Today, the Tin Wis Resort is recognized as one of the most successful aboriginal owned businesses in Canada.”
Read said Tin Wis, an 85-room resort, has been owned by the TFN since 1994 and has expanded its kitchen and lobby and most recently its laundry. She said it has also built new staff accommodation.
Tin Wis also exhibits Nuu-chah-nulth culture through storytelling, art exhibits and Aboriginal food items on its menu, she said.
George Atleo, Tin Wis general manager, thanked staff for their hard work and the NEDC for its support.
“We feel very strongly that all the employees are very valued in what they do,” said Atleo. “I want to say thank you to the NEDC because over the years they have given us support.”
Elmer Frank, a member of the TFN band council, said Tin Wis has found NEDC resources very useful.
“It is an honour, as George said, to receive such an award because it has been two awards within eight months that we received,” said Frank. “As a council, it’s really great to see that we are making progress.”
Barb Audet, the new chairperson of the Tin Wis board, congratulated all the winning businesses and thanked the resort’s staff for their hard work.
“Without the staff we wouldn’t be getting this award,” she said.
Incorporated in 1994, the NEDC helps Aboriginals who are living and operating businesses inside Nuu-chah-nulth territory achieve social and economic independence. It also helps Aboriginals with business plans and loans, youth entrepreneurships and mentoring.
Read also told the audience a little about each of the three other winners.
Michelle LaPointe, she said, purchased Precision Hair Studio & Day Spa from her mother in 1999. In 2007, added Read, LaPointe established EM Salon & Spa, a business that offers hair care and colouring, massage, facials, nails and waxing services.
Read said in 2006, LaPointe took fourth place in a provincial business-plan contest.
She said John Tom has owned his water taxi business since 1978, and now employs four family members. He transports school children, is on contract with the Creative Salmon Company Ltd., and during the summer takes tourists to local islands.
“One aspect of John that is well worth mentioning is he has been alcohol and drug free all of his life, which makes him a great role model” said Read.
Read said Incredible Edibles, owned by the Hupacasath First Nation, started as a horticulture training program and offers 100 per cent organic produce. In April 2006, she added, it began operations by selling farm shares. This year, it began offering roadside service and its share sales increased. She said the company operates seasonally, April to October, on Beaver Creek Road.
The three winners also thanked the NEDC and discussed the future of Aboriginal businesses.
“I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I’ve had in the past without the NEDC,” said LaPointe.
She said she is still moving forward and has lots of different ideas. She said building the business has been difficult and at times frustrating.
“I’m very honoured to have this award and honoured to have the friends I have and the family that supported me.”
Judith Sayers, representing Incredible Edibles and chief councillor of the Hupacasath First Nation, said Nuu-chah-nulth leaders had a vision for economic development a long time ago and established the NEDC, hoping businesses would thrive.
She thanked those visionary leaders who started the corporation, a corporation, she added, which has really excelled.
“I think it’s a great example of what we can do in economic development.”
Sayers said the Hupacasath have some very valuable agricultural land.
“We’ve always leased it to farmers,” she added. “We thought, why are we doing this? Like, why don’t we find something to do ourselves.”
She said the Vancouver Island Healthy Authority also gave the company a grant to get going.
The company began operating a greenhouse this year, added Sayers.
She said in today’s world, the 100-mile diet – a diet which sees consumers buy produce only from within a 100-mile radius – is becoming more important because people want to cut back on greenhouse gasses and want to have healthy food.
“We know there’s a huge market in organic food, and we’re taking steps every year to increase our business.”
She said now is an uplifting time for band members who work for the company.
John Tom, who drew chuckles from the crowd throughout his acceptance speech, said many people at NEDC have helped him over the years.
“It’s been fun,” he said. “I’ve met people from all over the world with my business here.”
He also said he showed up because he thought the NEDC was going to forgive his loan, a statement that drew howls of laughter from the crowd.
Moments later, he said the award was “one of the best things that ever happened to me besides my woman there.”
The audience erupted in laughter again.
Keven.drews@westcoaster.ca
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