The 2018 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction winners have been announced, and a Lakeland oilfield company was a big winner. Seven Lakes Oilfield Services took home the Eagle Feather Award of Distinction In Partnership with Syncrude, an award given to a First Nation, Metis or Inuit owned business that demonstrates outstanding achievement in business and incorporates entrepreneurial and cultural concepts into its operation for long-term success.
John Darr is President and C.E.O of Seven Lakes Oilfield Services, he gives a little more detail on the honor.
“It’s a distinction award for our operations with Indigenous employees and opportunities. We are a First Nations company owned by seven bands in this area. The whole premise of this company was Indigenous employment opportunities.”
Nominations for the awards follow a certain criteria, including having operated in Alberta for a minimum of three years. The hardware was handed out at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel on March 2nd, Darr says the Alberta Chamber of Commerce puts on quite an evening.
“It was a great networking event. You could go around and talk to all the businesses, even some that were nominated in your category. Then we changed to a theater setting, winners were announced. We got to go onstage and make a brief presentation. It was really well put together. The Chamber does a great job.”
As for the future with his company, Darr is positive.
“We’ve been able to see some good opportunities as of late, winning this award just solidifies everything that we’re doing.”