Advocacy
Canadian forestry is one of the largest employers of Indigenous peoples and home to over 1,400 Indigenous-owned forestry businesses. Indigenous peoples now directly control 10% of the national wood supply and play a leading role in the sector through joint ventures, contracting, cooperative agreements, and collaborative initiatives across the country.
Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) are pleased to announce the 2026 Indigenous Business Leadership Award.
Note: As part of FPAC’s efforts to support Indigenous youth leadership in the forest sector, FPAC — in partnership with the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers — offers an Indigenous Youth Delegation opportunity. The delegation enables eight Indigenous youth to attend a forestry conference as part of an all‑expenses‑covered experience, with support to navigate the event and build professional connections. Applications for 2026 are now closed. For information on the 2027 application cycle, contact info@fpac.ca
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) are pleased to announce the 2025 Indigenous Business Leadership Award. It recognizes and celebrates selected Indigenous entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business.
This award is given to an individual or business that exemplifies the qualities of business leadership, Indigenous employment, exceptional environmental and safety performance, consistency of the products and services provided, and a demonstrated commitment to the Indigenous community.
Eligibility Requirements
For individuals, they should be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis; The business must be Canadian owned and operated; The business must be at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled; The business must derive at least 50% of revenue from serving the forest industry; Business or individual has not won this award in the last 3 years (note that submissions remain active for 3 years).
Evaluation Criteria
Businesses or individuals must be independently nominated. The nomination must demonstrate:
1. Business Leadership. The nominee demonstrates strong business leadership in one or more of the following areas: strong financial management, ability to manage change, strong human resource skills, ability to grow.
2. Longevity. The nominee has been incorporated for a minimum of 3 years and is operating at the time of submission of the application.
3. Employment of Indigenous Peoples. The nominee demonstrates a high percentage of Indigenous employment and/or the nominee demonstrates a long-term commitment to employing Indigenous people.
4. Safety Performance. The nominee demonstrates safety performance in one or more of the following areas: safety certification, low incident frequency in relation to size of business, employee training on relevant safety procedures and standards. Other areas of safety performance will be considered.
5. Environmental Performance. The nominee demonstrates environmental performance in one or more of the following areas: sustainable forest management certification, clear environmental objectives and measurable results, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, consultation with affected and interested stakeholders, public reporting, verification of results, continual improvement system.
6. Consistency of the Goods and Services Provided. The nominee demonstrates a consistent track record in providing high quality products and services to its client(s).
7. Commitment to the Indigenous Community. The nominee demonstrates a commitment to the Indigenous community. For example, the nominee has sponsored youth training, sponsored sports teams, sponsored or volunteered at community cultural events, provided goods and services to the community, provided advice to other Indigenous businesses. Other means of demonstrating community support will also be considered (e.g. Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification).
In addition to the nomination letter, provide 2 references. References may be suppliers, community organizations, individuals, financial institutions, etc.
Award
Award winner will receive: One year of CCIB Membership; A commemorative award; A donation of $5,000.00 will be made on behalf of the winner to a charity of their choice.
Judging
Judges will be representatives of FPAC and the CCIB. All outcomes of the judging process will be considered final.
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) are pleased to announce the 2026 Indigenous Business Leadership Award. It recognizes and celebrates selected Indigenous entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business.
This award is given to an individual or business that exemplifies the qualities of business leadership, Indigenous employment, exceptional environmental and safety performance, consistency of the products and services provided, and a demonstrated commitment to the Indigenous community.
Eligibility Requirements
For individuals, they should be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis; The business must be Canadian owned and operated; The business must be at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled; The business must derive at least 50% of revenue from serving the forest industry; Business or individual has not won this award in the last 3 years (note that submissions remain active for 3 years).
Evaluation Criteria
Businesses or individuals must be independently nominated. The nomination must demonstrate:
1. Business Leadership. The nominee demonstrates strong business leadership in one or more of the following areas: strong financial management, ability to manage change, strong human resource skills, ability to grow.
2. Longevity. The nominee has been incorporated for a minimum of 3 years and is operating at the time of submission of the application.
3. Employment of Indigenous Peoples. The nominee demonstrates a high percentage of Indigenous employment and/or the nominee demonstrates a long-term commitment to employing Indigenous people.
4. Safety Performance. The nominee demonstrates safety performance in one or more of the following areas: safety certification, low incident frequency in relation to size of business, employee training on relevant safety procedures and standards. Other areas of safety performance will be considered.
5. Environmental Performance. The nominee demonstrates environmental performance in one or more of the following areas: sustainable forest management certification, clear environmental objectives and measurable results, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, consultation with affected and interested stakeholders, public reporting, verification of results, continual improvement system.
6. Consistency of the Goods and Services Provided. The nominee demonstrates a consistent track record in providing high quality products and services to its client(s).
7. Commitment to the Indigenous Community. The nominee demonstrates a commitment to the Indigenous community. For example, the nominee has sponsored youth training, sponsored sports teams, sponsored or volunteered at community cultural events, provided goods and services to the community, provided advice to other Indigenous businesses. Other means of demonstrating community support will also be considered (e.g. Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification).
In addition to the nomination letter, provide 2 references. References may be suppliers, community organizations, individuals, financial institutions, etc.
Award
Award winner will receive: One year of CCIB Membership; A commemorative award; A donation of $5,000.00 will be made on behalf of the winner to a charity of their choice.
Judging
Judges will be representatives of FPAC and the CCIB. All outcomes of the judging process will be considered final.
