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About Us

The NADF Awards are an annual awards program that recognizes individuals and businesses that demonstrate leadership, innovation, sustainability, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction in six (6) award categories.

Award recipients will be recognized for overall business management, performance and growth, products and services offered, community involvement, and highlighting excellence in leadership.

Contact Info

Friday, October 18th, 2024

Location: Timmins, Ontario
Venue: The Porcupine Dante Club

Celebrating Indigenous Prosperity

NADF returns to Timmins, Ontario on Friday, October 18th, 2024 at the Porcupine Dante Club to present the 32nd Annual NADF Awards Gala. The awards gala showcases Northern Ontario’s Indigenous business community and celebrates the determination and perseverance of individuals and businesses that continue to bolster the economy under these very challenging times.

Get ready to celebrate in style at an awards night designed for the stars. We are more excited then ever to celebrate their achievements and contributions, and we invite you to get involved in the celebration by submitting your nomination(s), becoming an event sponsor to promote your company to a targeted audience, or purchasing gala tickets to network with like-minded people.

Proceeds from this year's event will support:

NADF Sponsorship Fund

A fund established by NADF to provide financial support to Indigenous People, groups, organizations within our service area for activities and initiatives that promote education, healthy living, and cultural learning.

NADF Bursary Fund

Launching November 1, 2024, the NADF Indigenous Prosperity Bursary presents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous post-secondary students. Established to support the educational aspirations of Indigenous students, particularly those belonging to the member First Nations of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Treaty 3, or Robinson-Superior 1850 Treaties, this bursary aims to provide vital financial assistance to students pursuing full-time post-secondary studies, with a preference for those enrolled in Business, Finance, and Administration programs.

Master of Ceremonies for the 2024 Awards

Brent Edwards

A proud member of Fort Albany First Nation, Brent “Mooselegs” Edwards has deep roots in Thunder Bay, where he grew up and now raises his family. He earned an Ontario Teacher’s Diploma from Nipissing University, a Business Administration diploma from CDI College, and a Business Management Certificate from Northern College.

For several years, Brent was balancing a full-time career with his passion for emceeing and workshop facilitation. He recently took a bold leap to pursue his passion and Mooselegs2 became a full-time business venture. That courageous move has led to tremendous success, and he is now in high demand across the region for his engaging and innovative approach. 

Brent was recognized for his talent in 2013 when he was awarded the NADF Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and NADF is thrilled to welcome Brent back to stage to bring his award-winning enthusiasm and creativity, ensuring a lively, interactive, and unforgettable experience for our guests.

Entertainment for the 2024 Awards

Gerry Barret

I am a proud Native American Indigenous person from the Saugeen First Nation in Canada. I was a foster child, then an adoptee into a non-Indigenous home. I was raised in a small town in a loving family. From an early age I was very creative and enjoyed writing short stories. Education was important to me and I went on to attend Niagara College where I studied Broadcasting: radio/television and film. After graduating at the top of my class I began a career as a radio personality and advertising writer. As my broadcasting career flourished I began writing sit-com pilots and movie screenplays. I am currently writing a Christmas/family/action/adventure movie. My television credits include writer/producer/star of "The Big Bear Comedy Show", which aired on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. I am also a regular guest on the tv talk show, "The Laughing Drum". The highlight of my standup comedy career was performing at a Presidential ball for Barack Obama in 2013. I continue to write.

Unique traits: I am an award-winning writer and broadcaster. I am currently a comedian/panelist on the television show, The Laughing Drum, a bi-weekly talk show on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. I wrote, produced and starred in my own television comedy special, "The Big Bear Comedy Show". I am also an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist.

 

Agenda

5:00PM   |
6:00PM   |



6:30PM   |
7:15PM   |

 

8:00PM   |







9:30PM   |
9:45PM   |

Reception & Networking
Welcoming Remarks

Master of Ceremonies
Brent Edwards

Dinner
Entertainment

Gerry “The Big Bear” Barret

Awards

Partnership of the Year
Startup Business of the Year
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Small Business of the Year
Excellence in Leadership
Business Excellence

Closing Remarks & Blessings
Networking

31st Annual NADF Awards

Last Year's Event was SOLD OUT!

Experience the Celebration of Indigenous Prosperity as you explore the photo gallery and trailer capturing moments from last year's event.

Play Video

Nominations Are CLOSED

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

This award recognizes an Indigenous youth (Status, Inuit, or Métis) under the age of 39, who has paved a space for themselves through their hard work and dedication to their business. This entrepreneur shows us why you should never give up on your goals and is an inspiration for others.

The nominee must be 39 years and younger to be nominated in this award category.

Partnership of the Year

This award recognizes two or more individuals or entities who have formed a partnership built on mutual respect and common goals, and who have demonstrated innovation, leadership, thoughtful planning, and growth potential. These partners best exemplify the true meaning of partnership.

Partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners are eligible provided the Indigenous partner is the majority partner (minimum 51%).

Excellence in Leadership

This award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated excellence in leadership involving people, events, programs, projects, and/or teams. Passionate and creative, they take the initiative and think outside the box when running their business or managing their team. Through their strong leadership skills, and innovative management strategies, this leader will be an inspiration for all leaders to follow.

Leaders of non-profits are eligible to be nominated in this award category.

Startup Business of the Year

This award recognizes a startup business that has shown significant promise through their growth since starting their business.

Businesses operating for less than 2 years, but for more than 10 months, are eligible to be nominated in this award category.

Business Excellence Award

This award will recognize overall achievements and excellence in company growth including sales, profitability, employment creation, and innovation.

Small Business of the Year

This award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated innovation, leadership, thoughtful planning, and growth potential.

So Glad You Can Join Us!

We are looking forward to celebrating the 32nd Annual NADF Awards with you! If you would like to attend, please register below.

Individual Dinner Ticket
Registration Closed

Table of 10 Dinner Tickets
Registration Closed

Refund Policy
We offer a full refund, less a $50 administration fee, for cancellations made on or before September 27. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued after this date. However, tickets are fully transferrable, allowing you to transfer your registration to another individual if you are unable to attend.

Our Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Donations

Sponsorship Opportunities

The NADF Awards present a variety of unique opportunities for our sponsors to make new contacts, solidify relationships, generate leads, increase exposure, and connect with small business.

The NADF Awards offer different levels of sponsorship with different benefits that will complement your marketing strategy.

  • Engaging with existing or potential clients
  • Promoting brand/company
  • Company name/brand presence on social media
  • Supporting community
  • Networking with like-minded people
  • Showcasing corporate social responsibility
  • Exclusive “Presented By” sponsor (sponsor logo and/or name incorporated within event name and/or logo)

  • Prominent “Presented By” sponsor recognition on all event promotion and program materials

  • Splash page “Presented By” displayed for 5 seconds on event homepage

  • Prominent placement of company logo and hyperlink on event website sponsor page

  • Dedicated “Presenting Sponsor” sponsor post recognition on NADF social media

  • Engagement with sponsor’s Facebook/Instagram pages on NADF social media

  • Opportunity to deliver a 3-minute Welcome Address

  • Sponsor acknowledgement during Opening and Closing Remarks

  • Opportunity to present 1 of 6 awards and announce award winner

  • Double-page center spread full color ad in digital souvenir program

  • Ten (10) complimentary tickets

  • VIP Seating

  • Additional tickets at discounted rate

  • Quote and company profile included in pre/post-event media releases

  • First right of refusal for next year’s event

Sold Out

  • Premium Platinum Sponsor recognition on all event promotion and program materials

  • Premium placement of company logo and hyperlink on event website sponsor page

  • Dedicated Platinum Sponsor recognition post on NADF social media

  • Engagement with sponsor’s Facebook/Instagram pages on NADF social media

  • Sponsor acknowledgement during Opening and Closing Remarks

  • Opportunity to present 1 of 6 awards and announce award winner

  • Full-page full-color ad in digital souvenir program

  • Ten (10) complimentary tickets

  • VIP Seating

  • Additional tickets at discounted rate

  • First right of refusal for next year’s event

Sold Out

  • Company logo and hyperlink on event website sponsor page

  • Dedicated Gold Sponsor recognition post on NADF social media

  • Company logo displayed on event sponsor board and slide deck

  • Company logo displayed on sponsor page in event program

  • Half-page full-color ad in digital souvenir program

  • Six (6) complimentary tickets

  • Additional tickets at discounted rate
  • Company logo and hyperlink on event website sponsor page

  • Dedicated Silver Sponsor recognition on NADF social media

  • Company logo displayed on event sponsor board and slide deck

  • Company logo displayed on sponsor page in event program

  • Quarter-page full-color ad in digital souvenir program

  • Three (3) complimentary tickets

  • Additional tickets at discounted rate
  • Company logo and hyperlink on event website sponsor page

  • Company logo displayed on event sponsor board and slide deck

  • Company logo displayed on sponsor page in event program

  • Business card full-color ad in digital souvenir program

  • One (1) complimentary ticket
  • Company name on event website sponsor page

  • Company name displayed on event sponsor board and slide deck

  • Company name displayed on sponsor page in event program

  • Company name listed in souvenir program

ACCOMMODATION

Have Questions?

Please fill out our contact form and someone from
our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

    Need to Speak to
    Someone Directly?

    Dawn Willoughby, Event Manager

    Phone: 807-623-5397
    Toll-Free: 1-800-465-6821
    Email: events@nadf.org
    Website: www.nadf.org