WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION—While she has received a lifetime achievement award for her work in the business industry, Dawn Madahbee Leach says that two of the highlights of her career include how much she has learned from the aboriginal business community she has worked with and the many people that she has mentored over the years who have gone on to become business entrepreneurs.
“I have learned so much from our aboriginal people that I’ve worked with in the different business industries like mining, transportation, exporting and tourism,” Ms. Madahbee Leach told The Expositor. “And as I learned from them, I learned the challenges that they face, the struggles they have and have been
able give voice to the business community locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. These aboriginal business people-entrepreneurs have been my teachers,” she said. “I gained practical knowledge from them.”
“And I am very proud to be able to say that I was able to mentor a lot of young aboriginal business leaders across the country,” said Ms. Madahbee Leach. “Waubetek (Business Development Corporation) helped launch their careers and they have made a difference.”
“We have given people opportunities by working together,” said Ms. Madahbee Leach. “They have learned the importance of work ethics, the reasons why we do the work that we do and help instill in them the necessary things in them to be successful business persons. They are making a difference.”
“These are two things that stand out; I’ve learned so much from aboriginal businesspeople and helping to develop the economy and business leaders across the country,” continued Ms. Madahbee Leach.
“The other interesting thing is that I have been around so long, I am now working with third generations of family member entrepreneurs,” stated Ms. Madahbee Leach. “They are getting into business and their children and grandchildren will also probably work in business as their careers.”
Ms. Madahbee Leach pointed out, “Aboriginal people were for a long time excluded from the Canadian economy and sharing in the wealth of the country. There was a five-year period that Canada exported $1.67 billion between 2016-2022. And this just includes exports, not the resources that were processed. This was all carried out on our traditional lands and territories, which in many cases are right next door to some of our impoverished communities. As we became more sophisticated as leaders and builders, more collaborations and cooperative building has taken place towards each others success, particularly in economic development locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.”
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) hosted the celebration in Toronto last week. Ms. Madahbee Leach, general manager of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, was presented with the 2023 Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tabatha Bull, president, and chief executive officer, CCAB said, “over the span of her career, Dawn Madahbee Leach continues to make significant contributions toward Indigenous economic development and demonstrates lifelong leadership.”
CCAB’s business Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a First Nations, Inuit or Metis person whose business leadership has made a substantial contribution to the economic and social well-being of Indigenous people. “The jury’s unanimous decision was to recognize Dawn Madahbee Leach, a respected international indigenous business leader, with CCAB’s national award. Through her work with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), she continues to be integral to Indigenous economic development in Canada. She has a deep connection to her roots as an Anishinabe-kwe from the Aundeck Omni Kaning and Whitefish River First Nations, as she continues to be a part of the development of Indigenous strategies in multiple sectors, regionally,” said Ms. Bull.
“She is also notably one of the key leaders in the 2022 National Indigenous Economy Strategy, developing 107 calls to action that will lead to economic prosperity for all Canadians,” the CCAB explained.
Ms. Madahbee Leach has served as general manager at Waubetek Business Development Corporation since 1988. The organization provides financing and other resources to Indigenous business owners starting or expanding their businesses.
Ms. Madahbee Leach’s longstanding career has allowed her to have a deep understanding of the challenges that Indigenous businesses and communities face, and how to develop strategies for long-term success. As general manager of Waubetek, she has been responsible for more than $110 million in financing and funding to 27 First Nation communities.
“This lifetime achievement award from CCAB is humbly accepted on behalf of all who have guided, supported and encouraged me on my life’s journey to be brave, to work hard and to bring about positive changes. I am extremely grateful to have among my teachers many inspirational indigenous leaders from within our communities, in business, in national organizations and around the world who share a vision of prosperity for our people.”
“ESS is proud to sponsor the Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award. I send my congratulations to Dawn Madahbee Leach for her dedication to advancing economic development in Indigenous communities across Canada and around the world,” said Johanne Belanger, president, ESS North America.
“Dawn’s lifetime commitment has had a tremendous impact on all who she’s encountered; community leaders, young women and men with whom she has worked, students, business owners, elders and leaders. Dawn is a lifelong leader and trail blazer in Aboriginal economic development.”
Mr. Madahbee Leach said, along with members of her family, a lot of the people who work for or are affiliated with Waubetek attended the award presentation, including board member and director Mariette Sutherland who nominated her for the award. “I would like to thank all of them for their support and for the nomination.”
