TORONTO, July 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) are pleased to announce that Al Humphrys, the General Manager of Duz Cho Logging has won the FPAC/AFN Aboriginal Forest Products Business Leadership Award. The company is 100% owned by the McLeod Lake Indian Band, from McLeod Lake, B.C. Duz Cho was honoured today at the AFN General Assembly in Toronto.
The award celebrates First Nations entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business that exemplifies business leadership, exceptional environmental and safety performance and the delivery of high-quality products and services. The award recipient must also demonstrate a strong, long-term commitment to the Aboriginal community especially Aboriginal employment.
"FPAC is pleased to recognize Al Humphrys and the whole team at Duz Cho Logging for their excellent business leadership," said Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of FPAC. "We applaud their commitment to skills training and their employment strategy to recruit First Nations employees. As part of our Vision2020, the forest products industry is committed to attracting more Aboriginal workers and Duz Cho is a dynamic example of how this can be done."
Duz Cho Logging employs about 140 people, including about 20% Aboriginal employees, and is the largest company ever to win this award. It has been in business for 24 years, a testament to a First Nations business that has built success decade after decade. Duz Cho shares its profits with the McLeod Lake Indian Band, and actively supports local community projects such as donating to the high school graduating class and to a student bursary at the College of New Caledonia. These community investments are helping to encourage active First Nations participation in the forest products industry.
"This award recognizes entrepreneurial efforts that have positive environmental, economic and social impacts that keep First Nations' communities strong and growing. Duz Cho Logging is a true leader in the industry that stands as a model for how First Nations can help shape the future of healthy Canadian forest industry. " said AFN NB/PEI Regional Chief Roger Augustine, Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development.
"We are very pleased to have nominated Duz Cho Logging and Al Humphrys for this award," said Larry Clark, Operations Superintendent for Canfor. "Al and his team have consistently delivered a high quality product to Canfor for many years and the company has been a pillar of strength for McLeod Lake. We are very proud to be associated with such an outstanding business."
"On behalf of Al Humphrys and Duz Cho Logging, we are very pleased to have been nominated for this award," said Chief Derek Orr of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. "It is rewarding to see the company's reputation being recognized, and for our community to be applauded by the forest products industry. We see a long, profitable and sustainable future in the revitalized industry, and we are committed to doing our part for years to come."
There are now about 1,400 Aboriginal owned businesses in Canada, and about 17,000 Aboriginal people working in the sector, making the forest products industry the largest employer for Aboriginal workers.
This is the third time the FPAC/AFN Aboriginal Forest Products Business Leadership Award has been presented. The Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth was recently announced, and the winner will be awarded in the fall of 2012.
FPAC is the voice of Canada's forest producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada's forest products industry is a $57-billion dollar a year industry that represents 11% of Canada's manufacturing GDP. The industry is one of Canada's largest employers, operating in hundreds of Canadian communities and providing more than 230,000 direct jobs across the country.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national representative organization of the First Nations in Canada
Media Contacts:
Susan Murray
Executive Director, Public Relations
Forest Products Association of Canada
Association des produits forestiers du Canada
613-563-1441 x313
[email protected]
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