The Forest Products Association of Canada is honouring a northwestern Ontario forestry services company.

It has awarded Dallan LP with its Indigenous Business Leadership Award.

The company is 100% Indigenous-owned and provides mill yard services to mills in Thunder Bay, Ignace and Atikokan.

It was formed by Fort William First Nation’s Dale Levesque, in partnership with Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation and Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation.

Leveque was an employee of the former North American Mill Yard Services in 2003 before purchasing the company seven years later and forming the partnership in 2014.

“We are honoured to recognize Dale Levesque’s inspiring journey,” states Derek Nighbor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Forest Products Association of Canada.

“From operator to owner, Dale has built a 100% Indigenous-owned business that champions inclusive employment, partnerships between First Nations, continuous improvement, environmental responsibility, and providing the customer with an exceptional service, setting a powerful example for the broader forest sector.”

“Working in the forestry sector has been an incredible journey,” states Levesque.

“I’m proud to see how far we’ve come, and it’s an honour to receive the Indigenous Business Leadership Award. This recognition is not just for me, but for the team that has supported this vision, worked so hard, strived for continuous improvement, and for the communities we serve.

The company notes that one-third of its workforce hails from First Nations communities across Ontario.