Jacob Pratt. Photo submitted
The chief of one of the most successful First Nations in the province is being recognized for outstanding business achievement.
Darcy Bear is one of two Saskatchewan residents to receive national awards from the Canadian council for Aboriginal Business. He is being inducted into the council’s business hall of fame and is being given a lifetime achievement award.
Bear has been chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon since 1992. He took the reserve from a 70 per cent unemployment rate then, to a five per cent rate now.
A lot has changed: the reserve is now an economic powerhouse employing nearly 700 people and featuring a world-class casino and golf course. The economy has been improving every year.
The other Saskatchewan award winner is Jacob Pratt, who will be awarded the youth entrepreneurship award. He started a company in 2012 called Wambti. It’s a First Nations, music, dance and events company based out of Regina.
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business will hand out the 2016 awards during a gala event in Toronto on Feb. 3.