Business Awards
29 years of celebrating excellence! The NADF Awards showcases the exemplary performance and the contributions of Aboriginal business to strengthening Northern Ontario’s economy.
Venue & Location
Delta Hotels by Marriott
2240 Sleeping Giant Pkwy
Thunder Bay, ON P7A 0E7
Award Categories
• Businessman
• Businesswoman
• Partnership
• Corporation
• New Business
• Youth Entrepreneur
• Award of Recognition
Award of Recognition
The Award of Recognition is presented to a candidate whose entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and/or social responsibility has contributed to the advancement of Aboriginal prosperity in Northern Ontario.

Keynote Speaker
Shannin Metatawabin
CEO, NACCA
Shannin Metatawabin is Cree/Inninow from Fort Albany First Nation of the Mushkegowuk Nation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Carleton University and an Aboriginal Economic Development certificate from the University of Waterloo and is ICD.D from Rotman School of Management.
He previously served as the Executive Director of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation and as the Manager of Aboriginal Affairs and Sustainability with De Beers Canada. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer at NACCA in November 2016.

Master of Ceremonies
Ron Kanutski
From his humble beginnings in Summer Beaver in 2009 to capturing the Thunder Bay Comic Idol Champ of Champions and crowned Comic Idol King of Comedy in 2015, Ron Kanutski is taking the independent comedy scene by storm.
Ron has headlined shows throughout Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Although he is rarely found in comedy clubs or festivals, Ron is very active and appreciated in the independent, corporate and casino comedy scene. He has opened for Country Hit artists Billy Ray Cyrus, Sawyer Brown, Rock and Roll Greats, Jack Russell’s Great White and Canada’s Juno Award Winning Artists Digging Roots.
Guests should be ready to be entertained with stories, impressions, props, skits, and current issues.