Capitol Theatre Manager Ursula Swindler took home top honours at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce 26th Business Excellence (BBEX) Awards, being named Business of the Year. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Capitol Theatre takes top honours at BBEX awards

Oct 9, 2019 | 12:24 AM

Ursula Swindler typically shows blockbuster movies, but Tuesday night, she was the feature presentation.

The manager of the Capitol Theatre took home top honours at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce 26th Business Excellence (BBEX) Awards, being named Business of the Year.

Elsewhere on the night, to honour 30-year employee and operations manager Heather Guthrie, it was announced that starting next year, the Chamber of Commerce will add her name to the customer service award category.

Highlighting the night was an acceptance speech from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Director Neil Sasakamoose. He said the organization was humbled and honoured to be recognized in the community contribution category. BATC, he said, has contributed upwards of $9 million to community organizations over the last decade.

BATC holds a special place in Sasakamoose’s heart as he said he helped build the agency to what it is today, starting with just $1,500 in 2007. The organization now boasts a staff of over 100 and contends with a $30 million budget each year.

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He said the group is moving down a new path and hinted at positive change in the coming years.

“We are in a transition as Indigenous people. There is a want to get ahead and you people in the room have the key to that in some cases. You can help these chiefs move ahead,” he said, adding how there is land in the city that area First Nations are eager to develop.

“We want to end racism. We want to end hate for each other,” he added. “These three chiefs are your neighbour and they have been your neighbour forever. It is just we forgot how to introduce ourselves with each other. We are here.”

Sasakamoose went on to stress the importance of partnerships moving forward.

Here is a list of other BBEX winners on the night:

Heritage Award: Battlefords Agricultural Society

Community Contribution: Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.

Micro Business: Twin City Transmission

Marketing Award: Bridges Chevrolet Buick GMC

New Business Venture: Jeans N Joggers Kidz

Customer Service: Zeke’s Quality Jewellers

Best Employer: Bralin Technology Solutions

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