News Releases

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation named B.C. Aboriginal Community Business of the Year

Vancouver, B.C./September 16, 2015:The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) is pleased to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the BC Aboriginal Business Award for Community-Owned Business of the Year by the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, recognizing TNDC’s contribution to creating a strong economy for the Tahltan community.

The recipients of the seventh annual BC Aboriginal Business Awards were announced on September 15 by Premier Christy Clark and Keith Mitchell, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. The honourees will be celebrated at a gala award ceremony on October 14, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

“It is a tremendous honour for TNDC to be selected for this esteemed award, acknowledging the significant contributions it has made to the Tahltan Nation and its efforts to ensure community members benefit from responsible economic and resource development in the territory. The recognition is particularly fitting as 2015 marks TNDC’s 30^th year of operations, a journey which has seen the company evolve from its early roots as a commercial and residential construction company into a multi-million dollar corporation serving the resource industry and employing hundreds of Tahltans on an annual basis,” said TNDC CEO/President Garry Merkel.

The BC Aboriginal Business Awards were launched in 2008 to honour and celebrate Aboriginal business excellence in several categories. The Community-Owned Business of the Year award acknowledges TNDC’s contribution to building a strong economy for the community. TNDC is one of 15 Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, joint ventures and community-owned enterprises being recognized. 

“TNDC’s recognition is a wonderful distinction that speaks to its success in bringing financial prosperity to our Nation and opportunities for our people. It is a tribute to TNDC’s founders and successive leaders who believed the Nation could benefit from responsible development and work in partnership with industry while continuing to exercise our title and rights. TNDC is success story – a strong, progressive and financially-sustainable Aboriginal business corporation that is contributing to the economic wellbeing for our communities and our families,” said TNDC Board Chair Calvin Carlick.

TNDC is the business arm of the Tahltan Nation located in northwest British Columbia. TNDC was established on June 26, 1985 by Tahltan visionaries who wanted to ensure the Tahltan had control over development on their land to ensure its sustainability, while creating lasting economic independence for current and future generations.

TNDC has grown significantly in size and capability since inception. Today TNDC is a multi-million dollar corporation employing more than 30 core staff and hundreds of seasonal workers each year. It has established partnerships with 30 industry experts to expand its service offering and capabilities. TNDC has earned a solid reputation as an experienced, qualified, reliable, competitive and well-respected corporation through its work on hundreds of projects including mines, hydroelectric and transmission lines, municipal infrastructure, and highway maintenance and construction.

“We will accept the award with respect, honour and pride on behalf of the Tahltan people and past leaders of TNDC and with appreciation to our business and industry partners for their continued support, which has contributed to the growth and success of the Nation’s business corporation,” added Carlick.  

View the news release.