Description
Recognizes a business/organization that is a major economic driver for First Nations, Metis or Inuit communities, by investing in, owning and/or managing subsidiary businesses to advance community interests.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Indigenous Business Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be majority Indigenous-owned
- Demonstrate outstanding achievement in business by
incorporating intercultural relations, Indigenous values, and cultural concepts into organizational culture and business practices for long-term success - Demonstrate sustainable efforts in economic leadership, skill, and innovation
- Offer value to Indigenous communities and individuals in at least one Alberta community as a result of implementing best practices, including economic development, employment and training, and community engagement
- Take meaningful action to advance the principles of reconciliation through the organization's policies and business practices
- Contribute in a substantive way to the economic well-being of indigenous communities in an identifiable and measurable way. Examples may include economic development, employment opportunities, sustained business growth, starting and maintaining new ventures, and creating options for the future
General Eligibility:
Judging is complete anonymously, so your submission must also be completed anonymously to support the judging process. Companies must NOT use their company name when responding to short answer questions.
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must(at the time of both nomination and awards presentation):
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be actively operating in Alberta
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Must be a member in good standing of a local chamber of commerce in Alberta (proof of membership required)
Contact your local chamber to become a member. - Must submit annual financial statements as part of the application.
Financial statements are not shared with the judging committee; financial information is assessed solely during adjudication. - Not have won in the same category in the last three award cycles (e.g. a 2022 winner is eligible again in 2026)
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement.
- Financial Statements submission
Sample Financial Summary Statement- Applicants must submit financial statements as part of the application process.
- Financial information is requested only to confirm that applicants represent actively operating businesses. Financial statements are not used as part of the judging criteria.
- To protect applicant confidentiality:
- Financial information is reviewed only during the eligibility verification stage
- Application materials are treated as strictly confidential
- Individuals involved in administering the awards process are required to sign confidentiality agreements
- There is no minimum profit threshold required.
- Applicants do not need to submit detailed financial statements with every line item. A high-level financial summary showing overall income and expenses is sufficient. If necessary, sensitive line-item details may be redacted, provided the financial summary clearly reflects overall business activity.
- Interim financial statements may be accepted if they reflect the most recent financial position of the business.
- If a company operates nationally or globally, financial statements may be submitted as they are normally filed. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to provide context related to Alberta operations.
