Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Everybody, it's wonderful to be here. My name is Jacob Beaton. My travel name is Dzapl Gyiyaawn Sgyiik.
I am Eagle Clan, of Tsimshian, Haida and Heiltsuk descent, from the northwest coast.
Thank you very much for inviting me and for having me here.
I've worked for first nations for my whole career, for dozens of different nations over a couple decades. I'm a first nations business owner and entrepreneur and have been my whole career. I currently own and operate an award-winning business that's indigenous-led. I'll be talking a bit more about that standard—“indigenous-led”.
I've been awarded as Young Entrepreneur of the Year, recipient of the BC Land Award, Canada's Food Hero to the United Nations, and, most recently, recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal. I'm currently a thought leader to the B.C. Auditor General.
I'm very happy that I've been invited and get to answer some of your questions. I've been successful in business because I don't just identify problems; I come up with solutions. I understand that we're talking about problems and solutions here today. The essence of what business is to me is the identifications of problems and then delivering consistently effective solutions.
I first want to start with the problems that we're trying to solve here.
First of all, I'm sure everyone's aware of the history of systemic economic oppression of first nations and indigenous peoples in Canada. As an example, here in B.C., there's a wonderful old book I picked up for free called Indians at Work—