LEAD SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR THE BC ABORIGINAL BUSINESS AWARDS

VANCOUVER, Aug. 25 /CNW/ - Keith Mitchell, Chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, is pleased to announce that New Relationship Trust has confirmed its participation as the lead sponsor of the 2010 British Columbia Aboriginal Business Awards, presented by the BC Achievement Foundation.

"These awards celebrate the province's First Nations and Aboriginal business sectors and their contribution to the provincial economy. We are honoured to be partnering with the New Relationship Trust in support of these prestigious awards," said Mr. Mitchell.

The New Relationship Trust is an independent non-profit organization established in 2006, dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. New Relationship Trust focuses its work in five key capacity development areas: governance, education, language & culture, youth & Elders, and economic development.

"Supporting the BC Aboriginal Business Awards aligns well with our vision and mandate," said Cliff Fregin, Chief Executive Officer of the New Relationship Trust. "We look forward to building upon the success of the inaugural awards in 2009 and to honouring First Nations and Aboriginal business people throughout the province for their outstanding business achievements."

The deadline for nominations for the BC Aboriginal Business Awards is September 24, 2010. The awards honour business achievement in the following categories: Youth Entrepreneur (Male and Female), Joint Venture, Community-Owned and Business of the Year awards for one-to-two person enterprises, two-to-10 person enterprises, and 10-person or more enterprises.

The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is an independent foundation established and endowed by the Province of BC to recognize and celebrate excellence in the arts, humanities, enterprise and community service.

The BC Aboriginal Business Awards are also generously sponsored by BC Hydro, Teck and Encana. The BC Achievement Foundation works in partnership with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation to present the awards.

For further information: Nora Newlands, Executive Director, BC Achievement Foundation, T. 604.261.9777, Toll Free 866.822.6088 (in BC)