Chief Tammy Cook-Searson with her honorary degree. Photo courtesy Tammy Cook-Searson, Facebook
The 2017 ABEX Awards are coming up on October 21, and two leaders from northern Saskatchewan will headline the award recipients.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce hands out the ABEX Awards every year as a way to honour businesses and leaders who have helped add to province both economically and socially.
Lac la Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson will be receiving the first-ever ABEX Community Leader of the Year Award. This award is given to someone who has made a positive contribution to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy.
“It is a pleasure to award Chief Tammy Cook-Searson the ABEX Community Leader of the Year Award,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce in a media release. “The commitment she has to her communities and her exemplary professional life is an inspiration to the people of this province.”
Chief Cook-Searson was the first woman elected to lead the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and has served as the band’s chief since 2005.
This year’s ABEX Awards will also see Athabasca Basin Development CEO Geoff Gay receive the award for Business Leader of the Year. Gay has been with the Indigenous-owned northern economic development firm since 1998.
“The work he has done and continues to do in northern Saskatchewan is truly remarkable,” said McLellan. “Saskatchewan has – and will – continue to benefit from his efforts.”
The chamber also previously announced that AREVA will enter the ABEX Hall of Fame.
The ABEX awards take place in Saskatoon on October 21.