A First for First Nations
On June 10, 2014 the Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group (SQBG) won an unprecedented award at the recent BC Economic Development Awards (BCEDA): Community Project Award, Less than 20,000 Population.
Cover photo: SQBG Director Brenda Fernie is congratulated by Scott Randolph, Chair of BCEDA.
The BCEDA and BC Hydro’s BC Economic Development Awards recognizes the province’s best economic development, marketing materials, programs and partnerships. These prestigious awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Thirteen members of SQBG attended the dinner while SQBG president and Kwantlen First Nation band councilor Tumia Knott accepted the award on behalf of SQBG and Kwantlen.
“The Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group, wholly owned by the Kwantlen First Nation, was proud to accept the award presented by the BC Economic Development Association, for community project with a population less than 20,000 in the Province of BC,” said Brenda Fernie, owner and director of the SQBG.
“The nomination was for the work Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group has completed over the past three years in building operational capacity. This award was such an honor as it recognized the staff for all of their hard work and dedication on behalf of the Kwantlen Nation.”
The BCEDA recognized SQBG as real pioneers in economic development.
“This was the first time in our history to receive a nomination from a First Nation community and we were extremely pleased to see them win,” said Dale Wheeldon, President and CEO of BCEDA. “The economic development efforts of the Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group and Kwantlen First Nations is truly a best practice. They have clearly demonstrated how engaging local citizens, working with neighboring communities, supporting entrepreneurship and building strong local businesses can achieve positive results on building a strong economy.”
The BCEDA is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in the Province of BC. The BCEDA currently has over 360 members from communities throughout the province.