Nunavik, Keewatin win aboriginal food awards

MONTREAL — On Sunday night the First People’s Business Association held its 4th Mishtapew Awards of Excellence Gala in Montreal.

Founded in 1994, the First Peoples’ Business Association promotes business development, networking and partnerships between native businesses and the larger business community.

And every year at its gala the association presents 15 awards for excellence in business. This year, entries were received from Quebec, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

Nunavik Arctic Foods received the “Agri-food Award,” which was presented by Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. A subsidiary of Makivik Corporation, Nunavik Arctic Foods produces smoked caribou, caribou bourguignon, pâtés and sausages.

The “Natural Resources Award” was given to Puvirnituq’s Pitsituuq Smoke Plant Inc. Kalingo Tukalak owns and operates Pitsituuq Smoke Fish Plant, which buys Arctic char from local fishermen and then smokes and markets the fish.

Also among the finalists were Avataq’s Inuit Herbal Teas and the Keewatin Meat and Fish Ltd.

The awards gala took place during Montreal’s first International Exhibition of Food, Beverages, Wines and Spirits, where a First People’s Pavillion specifically showcased native food producers.

A “Native Gastronomy Month” is also taking place this month in Montreal and Quebec City, in collaboration with fifteen hotels and restaurants, whose chefs will prepare gourmet menus to introduce patrons to native specialities.

Those who attended the Mishtapew Gala were able to sample some of these dishes, which ranged from a “clear beavertail consommé” to “grenadines of caribou.” The banquet was capped off with a selection of Avataq’s herbal teas from Nunavik.