Recognize. Inspire. Reward.

At the heart of all of Ulnooweg’s business activities is the drive to help Indigenous business succeed. And when success happens, we also want to be there to recognize and reward entrepreneurs. Ulnooweg’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Show is a biennial celebration of individuals and businesses that have dedicated their talent and time to Indigenous business development.

Ulnooweg introduced the Atlantic Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Show in 2005. The Award Show has become regarded as one of Atlantic Canada’s premier Indigenous events; a gathering of over 300 people celebrating the Spirit of Entrepreneurship. Since its inaugural year, over 100 Indigenous individuals and organizations have been recognized through nomination and reward!

As host, Ulnooweg welcomes the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the success of Indigenous businesses in Atlantic Canada. Celebrating these accomplishments is an integral part of the process of building a stronger economy for future generations! This biennial event includes social, networking, and sponsorship opportunities culminating with the Award Show celebration.

Join us in celebrating the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs and to learn more about the unique opportunities that Indigenous businesses have in Atlantic Canada and abroad.

The biennial Ulnooweg Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards event:

Recognizes outstanding business successes in various categories

Provides networking opportunities among Indigenous entrepreneurs

Provides government and private sector agencies the opportunity to enhances existing relationships

Provides an opportunity to network with the business community and forge new partnerships

Award Categories Include:

New Business Start-up of the Year (less than 2 years in operation)
Resilient Enterprise of the Year
Cottage Craft Business of the Year
Economid Development Officer of the Year
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year (Male and Female)
Indigenous Government Enterprise of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award (Male and Female)

2022 Finalists

The next Ulnooweg Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Show will be held on September 14, 2022 in Miramichi, NB.

New Business Start-Up of the Year

This category includes any business in operation under two (2) years.

2022 Finalists

Maria Gehue (The Wellness Initiative)
Roxanne Notley (Kaumanik Adventure Tours)

Resilient Enterprise of the Year

This category will be awarded to an entrepreneur that has overcome many challenges to stay in business and create success.

2022 Finalists

Joanne Jones, Denise Rogers, Diana Parsons (Sugar & Dice)
Lori and Scott Hudson (Northern Lights Dog Sledding)

Cottage Craft Business of the Year

This category is for the cottage craft business which is a small-scale business carried on by family members using their own equipment and where the production of goods takes place at the home of the producer rather than in a factory or elsewhere (handicrafts, sewing, and craft production are some examples).

2022 Finalists

Rita Martin (Baby Barn Fabrics)
Mariah Battiste (Sundaylace Creations and Bling)

Economic Development Officer of the Year

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

This category is open to individual Indigenous youth entrepreneurs and businesses owned and managed by youth between the ages of 18-35.

2022 Finalists

Noah Stevens (Stevens Solutions and Designs)
Eric White (Dome Video Productions)

Female Entrepreneur of the Year

This category is for Indigenous women in the Atlantic region who are entrepreneurs and run a successful business.

2022 Finalists

Jolene Johnson (Wabanaki Maple Products)
Jena Mulcahy (Anchored Aesthetics)

Male Entrepreneur of the Year

This category is for Indigenous males in the Atlantic region who are entrepreneurs and run a successful business.

2022 Finalists

Garnet Brooks (Garnett Brooks Law)
Richard Lewis (Indigrow Business Management)

Indigenous Government Enterprise of the Year

This category is open to businesses owned by Indigenous Government Organizations (must have majority Indigenous ownership to be eligible). Parent companies will be reviewed on the merit of itself and not its subsidiaries.

2022 Finalists

Bayside Development Corporation
Pêcheries Baie Chaleurs Fisheries
Royal Inn & Suites

Lifetime Achievement Award

This is our most prestigious award. It is given to a deserving entrepreneur who has been in business for over 20 years and exemplifies qualities such as commitment to community through social and economic contributions as a business entrepreneur. A model for future aspiring entrepreneurs.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Fill out our online nomination form for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Regular Category Awards

Fill out our online nomination form for the all other categories.

Nomination Guidelines

View our Nomination Guidelines document.

SPONSORSHIP DETAILS

Ulnooweg is pleased to present the 11th Ulnooweg Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards Show on September 14, 2022 in Miramichi, NB. It is an honour once again to acknowledge and celebrate the success of Indigenous businesses in the Atlantic Region. These individuals and families play a vital role in building stronger Indigenous communities for future generations.

We invite you to share in the success of this show by becoming a sponsor. Your participation will help us recognize the event’s many rewards for both Indigenous entrepreneurs and the surrounding communities in Atlantic Canada.

Sponsorship Package

Download our full sponsorship package guidelines.

PAST EVENTS

2022 Awards

After the COVID-19 restrictions it was wonderful to meet with all of you in Miramichi. Below are the winners for 2022!

2020 Event Gallery

2020 Awards

This year’s awards were held predominantly virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions and safeguards. Only nominees were invited to the socially-distanced space, and last minute travel restrictions kept most away. Luckily, we received videos from most of the nominees; we were able to broadcast not only these videos, but the whole presentation by our youth hosts and the musical guests.

2020 was certainly different, but we still took the time to celebrate the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs and to learn more about the unique opportunities that Indigenous businesses have in Atlantic Canada and abroad.

2020 Event Gallery

2018 Awards

Missed the award show? See an overview!
Attended the award show? Relive the magic!

Ulnooweg 2018 Award Show Video

2016 Awards