Eric P. Newell, O.C. to receive the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and Sodexo Canada are pleased to announce this year's recipient of the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is Eric P. Newell, O.C. He will be recognized, for his accomplishments in spearheading initiatives in Aboriginal education, training and employment, at CCAB's 10^th annual Vancouver Gala on September 27, 2012.

The Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is presented to a Canadian who has personally contributed, through his or her professional and voluntary commitments, to building bridges between Aboriginal people and Canada's business community.

Eric P. Newell, O.C. set a trend for working with the Aboriginal community through his leadership of Imperial Oil and Syncrude. His leadership of Syncrude helped them to not only become a major player in the oil industry but also helped them to develop policies that reflected leading practices in corporate social responsibility; becoming one of the largest industrial employers of Aboriginal people in Canada. Newell's personal life has also made great contributions to education and training, donating money to the University of Alberta to construct the Aboriginal Gathering Place and advocating for greater educational opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Mr. Newell says, "It is a great honour to receive this award from the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business, but I share this recognition with my senior Syncrude leadership team and our many friends amongst our Aboriginal partners and entrepreneurs. They created the successful businesses that are now serving as models for other Aboriginal communities across Canada. And, for me, that is the biggest reward of all."

Sodexo Canada is pleased to partner with CCAB to create an award that recognizes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders who have championed positive change for the Aboriginal community through business.  Dean Johnson, President of Sodexo Canada, says "as a PAR Gold certified company, we appreciate the effort and commitment Dr. Newell has made throughout his career to developing sustainable partnerships with Aboriginal communities. It is the impact of people like Dr. Newell that inspired us to work with CCAB to create the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal relations in 2011."

JP Gladu, President and CEO of CCAB, says, "Even after retirement Mr. Newell continues to promote and work with the Aboriginal community. CCAB measures the value of nominees in not only what they've accomplished, but in what they continue to do."

For more information about the CCAB and an overview of the Award for Excellence, visit www.ccab.com

About the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada's economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada.

About Sodexo in Canada

Sodexo Canada has been delivering On-Site Service Solutions to clients in the Healthcare, Education, Business & Industry, and Remote Sites sectors for over 40 years. Today, Sodexo provide services at nearly 750 sites for more than 230 clients across Canada. The company's 10,000 employees work together to improve the Quality of Life for their customers by designing, managing, and delivering a wide range of On-Site Service Solutions -- from project management to energy planning, from technical building maintenance to concierge services, from housekeeping to fitness centre management, and from catering and foodservices to clinical technology management. Sodexo Canada is proud to have created the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that has donated more than 600,000 meals to at risk youth in Canada since it was founded in 2001. Follow us on Twitter @SodexoCanada

SOURCE: Sodexo