A pair of Iqaluit-based businesses earned prestigious honours through the Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce's fourth annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference Awards last week.
Polar Outfitting, owned by Alex Flaherty, was named the Top Indigenous Business of the Year for 2020. The award goes to an Indigenous business from Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories or Alaska that has demonstrated "excellence in growth, innovation, marketing, environmental stewardship, outstanding service and/or commitment to the preservation of its cultural values and identity," according to the chamber of commerce.
The other nominees in that category were the NWT's Det’on Cho Logistics, Yukon's Gúnta Business Consulting and Alaska's Trickster Company.
Jenn 87 Hairstyling, owned by Jennifer Lindell, came out on top as the Community Champion of the Year. That award goes to an individual or business that has "demonstrated a significant commitment to community enhancement." Lindell's competition was the NWT's EntrepreNorth, Randy Lewis of Yukon and Alaska's Zane Hills Capital.
The awards were presented virtually from Whitehorse on Feb. 18.
“The Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference Awards are a cornerstone of the event each year,” says Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce President Michelle Kolla. “We are excited to continually celebrate innovation, ingenuity and achievements, which drive economic growth in our respective regions and support wellness in our communities.”
