June 9, 2010 – TORONTO – The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is excited to announce that Fort McKay Group of Companies, one of Canada’s most progressive communities, has renewed a two-year agreement to support the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.

“The Foundation would like to welcome Fort McKay once again as an important and vital partner in the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Gala to be held in 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta,” said National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation President & CEO Roberta Jamieson.

“I commend Fort McKay as a First Nations group of companies that has taken leadership in supporting the work of the Foundation; they understand the power of role models in our communities and how they inspire our youth to achieve their full potential. They know that this will enrich all of Canada as a result.”

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) were established to encourage and celebrate excellence in the Aboriginal community. NAAF created the Awards in 1993, in conjunction with the United Nation’s International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The Awards recognize the outstanding career achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in diverse occupations. Now entering its 17th year, these Awards have become a Canadian institution.

“We are very pleased to be part of the 2011 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards,” said Chief Jim Boucher, Chairman of the Board of the Fort McKay Group of Companies and an Aboriginal Achievement Award Recipient. “Fort McKay fully supports the NAAF’s goal of promoting, supporting and celebrating the achievement of Canada's aboriginal peoples and I encourage other First Nation communities and companies to find out how they can work with NAAF to make the dreams of our youth a reality.”

Fort McKay Group of Companies (FMGC) operates six limited companies, 100% owned and controlled by the Fort McKay First Nation, and is involved in a number of joint venture partnerships. Under Chief Boucher’s vision and leadership, the FMGC has grown into one of the most successful First Nation-owned business ventures in Canada, boasting annual revenues in excess of $100 million.

For more information, please contact:

John Ecker
Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
B: 416-987-0260
C: 647.408.5044
jecker@naaf.ca