Page 4 - NAABA

NAABA: BRINGING INDUSTRY AND ABORIGINAL BUSINESSES TOGETHERONE OF THE most prolific non- profit Aboriginal organizations in Canada is the Northeastern Albertafor Aboriginal business in the Wood Buffalo region where there are many opportunities to grow and prosper as entrepreneurs. Its position is to en- courage Full Aboriginal Members to take advantage of these opportunities in a globally competitive environment. NAABA also recognizes and em- braces the challenges of working with resource projects and the many new players in industry and governmentthat exist across the country.Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA). Representing over one hun- dred Aboriginal Businesses in north- eastern Alberta, NAABA is “commit- ted to enhancing and creating an environment, which pro- motes businesses, jobs, and training for the betterment of all Aboriginal people in the region.”The Asso- ciation represents members that arequalified by at least 51 per cent Aboriginal ownership and are local to the Wood Buffalo region. NAABA has a vision of Aborigi- nal Strength, Unity and Opportunity. Their Mission is Aboriginal business successfully working with industry, enhancing opportunities by promot- ing business development in the Wood Buffalo region.NAABA strongly encourages that the business opportunities cre- ated in the resource sector are pro- vided to the local indigenous business community. NAABA acts as the voice“There ENHANCING THE AB- are some really ORIGINAL CORPORATEsuccessful Aboriginal businesses here in Alberta. Some of our success stories are our new members: those small companies that have grown enough to benefit from being part ofNAABA.”LANDSCAPECIO first spoke with then Presidentof NAABA, Mitch Mercredi, in 2012 fora story on his father’s company LakeshoreHelicopters. The com- pany is still active butMercredi has become an important part of the businesscommunity outside of Lakeshore Heli- copters. Mitch is now Business Devel- opment Manager at Acden (one of the largest Aboriginal companies in Cana- da, who was also a previously featured company in CIO). Mercredi has been actively pursuing greater prosperity for Aboriginal businesses within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo through his corporate endeavours with Acden and his non-profit work with NAABA.