b'JUDGESand trust administrator. It was theresustainability each business pitchprimarily in the Northern Alberta oil that she focused on programs thatwould bring. It was always a difficultsands industry. advocated for Indigenous businesses,decision, she says, because ultimately developing a passion for this line she saw all the contestants as winners,A member of the Mikisew Cree First of work. which was the idea behind theNation of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, show in the first place. Were reallyTuccaro has long been a powerhouse Over time, Jackson assisted morepromoting engaging social impactand a champion for Indigenous than 500 entrepreneurs in developingentrepreneurism, says Jackson,business. In 1998 he was already their business and helped sevenshowing that you can give back tonamed a Top 40 under 40. The Squamish Nation members receive ayour community, you can give back tofollowing year he was the recipient of an Indigenous Business Award fromIndigenous peoples, you can make athe National Aboriginal Achievement the BC Achievement Foundation.difference and still succeed as Award, then one of Albertas 50 The success I had with the Squamisha business.Most Influential People in 2000, an Nation and their entrepreneurs [wasAboriginal Business Hall of Fame about] being a cheerleaderhelpinginductee in 2012, and recipient of entrepreneurs know what kinds ofan honorary Doctor of Technology grants there are and funding for theirfrom the British Columbia Institute of business, says Jackson. Its myTechnology (BCIT) in 2018.passion and people see it.Tuccaro was the first core judge As the founder and creative forceto be signed on for Bears Lair by behind Bears Lair, Jackson wasexecutive producer and fellow judge hesitant to put herself forward asGeena Jackson. He saw it as the a judge, opting instead to act as aperfect opportunity to be involved in possible host who would introducementoring up-and-coming Indigenous the entrepreneurs. However, afterentrepreneurssomething that was reflecting on her experience with thenot available to him in the 1980s. Squamish Nation and looking at theWhen I started over 30 years ago, skills and talents of the other judges,there werent really that many Native it made sense to her to become onepeople in business across Canada.of the core group of four judges. ImDAVE TUCCARO I didnt have any mentors,like, wait a second, Ive worked withnotes Tuccaro. over 550 entrepreneurs. It would be aFor many in the Indigenous great mix to have somebody that wascommunity, Dave Tuccaro needs noTuccaro is also the founder of the at a grassroots level, Jackson says.introduction. One of Canadas mostNortheastern Alberta Aboriginal successful Indigenous entrepreneurs,Business Association, an organization When it came to choosing the winnersTuccaro is the president and CEO ofthat seeks to be a positive catalyst for each episode, Jacksons approachTuccaro Group of Companies, whichfor intergenerational growth in was to see the social impact andoversees seven companies operatingIndigenous communities in the northern part of the province. With his help, Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in Fort McMurray have benefited immensely. He says Indigenous business in Fort McMurray Excellence isgrew from just six companies and a custom-made,collective $20 million dollars to over 178 businesses and a staggeringand custom-made$2 billion a year in revenue today. is personal.Supporting the Indigenous business Dedicated to excellencecommunity [is] a really good template in engineering andfor the rest of Canada, points out project management, ourTuccaro. Were in a good place as seasoned team has theIndigenous people right now, andexpertise to tackle almostI think this show is going toany project, and we carehighlight some of thoseenough to do it right. successful entrepreneurs.Tuccaro understands the importance kgsgroup.com Peter Sutherland Sr.of supporting the Indigenous Generating Stationbusiness community, not only for the overall economic benefit, but also to benefit the process of healing and 26A CCAB PUBLICATION2022'