Ntityix Development Group

Ntityix Development Corporation is the general partner that manages the corporate division of Westbank First Nation. It exists to serve the social, cultural, and economic interests of the community. The corporate division of Westbank First Nation (formerly Westbank Indian Band) began in 1973 with the formation of Westbank Indian Band Development Company. Today, the corporation manages multiple divisions including 59,000 hectares of forest tenure, a construction division responsible for the majority of the WFN community core institutional buildings and residential housing needs for band members, two shopping centre partnerships, and a retail gift store.

“The CCAB AEDC Award validates the tremendous work done not just over our last fiscal year but most importantly by recognizing each WFN Member that has been involved with WFN corporate economic development over the past several decades. This award celebrates and recognizes their entrepreneurial spirit, their dedication, their fight, their determination, and their relentless hard work to shape NDC into what it is today. limlemt.”

Read more about the Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation Award

Keith McIntosh

Keith McIntosh has led his award-winning software testing company, PQA Testing, from his home province of New Brunswick for more than 20 years. He has grown the company into a multimillion-dollar organization with 9 offices across Canada, and a team of more than 150 professionals who provide quality testing services to customers both at home and abroad.

Read more about the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations

Dr. Deborah Saucier

Originally from Saskatoon, Dr. Saucier is a proud Métis who is committed to advancing reconciliation on university campuses and in academia. As the president of Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier is working toward closing the education gap for Indigenous youth so they may achieve their full potential and strengthen their communities. Previously, she served as president of MacEwan University, where she worked to incorporate UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action into institutional decision making. She implemented both policy and physical changes on campus to ensure that Indigenous students saw their heritage reflected in campus spaces.

“A major focus for me as an administrator has been to change the narrative about who goes to university, which helps to move the needle and increase the number of women and Indigenous peoples in leadership positions.” – Dr. Deborah Saucier

Read more about the Indigenous Women in Leadership Award