On Feb. 27, the 18th annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction gala took place at the Marriot River Cree Resort in Edmonton and Hobbema’s Samson Management Ltd. took home one of the few prestigious awards distributed that evening.
The ceremony honoring innovative and progressive practices and achievements of small businesses, entrepreneurs and large corporations across the province saw nominees from ten categories present. The categories included the Premier’s award of distinction, Aboriginal woman entrepreneur, Aboriginal youth entrepreneur, diversity leadership, employer of persons with disabilities, employer of youth, small business, marketing, Aboriginal relations-best practice and last but certainly not least, Aboriginal relations eagle feather.
Sponsored by the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Aboriginal relations - eagle feather award is given to a First Nation’s-owned business that demonstrates outstanding achievement in business and has incorporated entrepreneurial and cultural concepts into its operation for long-term success and it’s clear Samson Management Ltd. fits that description.
Samson Management Ltd., which currently employs 58 people, is a First Nations business-investment company that is a profitable and growing subsidiary of the Samson Cree Nation. Situated on the third floor of the Cree Tribal Administration Building at Samson Cree Nation, the company is involved in a wide array of industries including pharmaceutical, petroleum, insurance, automotive, retail, hospitality and real estate in addition to being a proud nurturer of the Cree culture and language. Every board of directors’ meeting starts with an opening ceremony and prayer conducted by an elder, it and its general manager, Dorothy Simon, fosters cultural awareness in all management aspects.
“Samson Management Ltd. is extremely honored to be the successful recipient of the 2009 ‘Eagle Feather’ Business Award of Distinction. First and foremost, we thank our creator for being with us every step of the way in our journey into the corporate world and Aboriginal business” she said before thanking the representatives, beneficiaries, board of directors, management and staff that are key to the success of the business.
For more information on this business, visit www.smlcorp.com. For more information on the awards and the winners visit www.abbusinessawards.ab.ca