The Det’on Cho Group of Companies has been named the 2024 Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation of the Year by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).
“This award is an extraordinary honour for Det’on Cho and validates our approach to build and grow our corporation around Dene Laws, combining traditional knowledge with modern business practices,” said Det’on Cho president and CEO Mark Lewis. “This award was only achieved through the collaboration and dedication of our team members, board of directors, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, our partners and our clients.”
Det’on Cho is an investment company dedicated to strengthening the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) by pursuing economic opportunities within and outside of the NWT. It has a portfolio of 22 companies spanning third-party logistics, camp management services, transportation, environmental, civil construction, geomatics, underground mining, waste management, remediation, aviation, ice road construction and more. That includes seven fully-owned subsidiaries.
The organization had a “humble start with a $15,000 grant,” according to Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris, and is now “a strong organization that directly employs more than 300 people.”
“This is the result of the strong relationships and respect between the Yellowknives Dene Chiefs and Council, the Det’on Cho board of directors, and the Det’on Cho management team,” Sangris said. “I look forward to seeing Det’on Cho continue to grow and bring more prosperity and jobs to our people.”
Lewis and Sangris accepted Det’on Cho’s award at a May 29 gala in Toronto, along with Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina and several other team members.
“On behalf of the Yellowknives Dene, I am proud to see Det’on Cho earn this national recognition,” said Betsina. “It reflects how our Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Det’on Cho have created a shared vision for building prosperity and improving the lives of our members.”
Lewis made a speech at the gala, thanking his predecessors and current colleagues for their roles in shaping the organization.
“Throughout our history over the last 30-plus years, Det’on Cho has been fortunate to have many strong leaders in the CEO seat, on our board, and great chiefs leading the First Nation,” he said. “I want to express my gratitude, particularly for the 16 years of leadership of the late Chief Edward Sangris and my two most recent predecessors, who helped set the trajectory that Det’on Cho is on, and who have been great mentors to me.
“We remain guided by the vision and leadership of Chief Ernest Betsina and Chief Fred Sangris, who join me tonight, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Council, our board of directors, and the Yellowknives Dene community. I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me and my team to continue to lead Det’on Cho.”
The award recognizes a development corporation’s “profound work and ability to increase the prosperity and sustainable economic development of entire communities,” according to the CCAB website.