By Gabriel Louër
At last week’s Toys & Ties event, Brian Kelly, a seasoned business professional with deep roots in Manitoba’s business community, was awarded the Service Recognition Award for his dedication and commitment to economic reconciliation.
A longtime advocate for fostering allyship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, Kelly shared his remarks at the award ceremony in downtown Winnipeg. “Allyship is a new term for me” he said, “but it turns out I’ve been an ‘ally’ my whole life.”
Growing up on a farm in Manitoba, Kelly's experience is firmly grounded in business. His involvement in both the Manitoba and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, and in their advocacy work, gave him valuable insight into how organizations can bridge gaps and create meaningful economic progress.
Championing Indigenous Business Development
Kelly’s path to becoming an ally for Indigenous businesses began during his tenure with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. He was drawn to Indigenous business issues, eventually leading to his role as a member of the ICC and, later, as a member of its Board of Directors.
In addition, Kelly also spoke about how businesses and public sector entities can not only contribute to reconciliation but also enhance their own success through partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Kelly’s message to his audience was clear: by becoming allies of Indigenous businesses, organizations can make a real difference in advancing economic development while benefiting from public relations and strategic growth opportunities.
A Vision for Manitoba's Future
Moreover, he also highlighted the strategic opportunity Manitoba faces in terms of economic growth. Citing various studies, he noted that if Manitoba’s Indigenous population were to achieve the same average economic success as other communities, it could increase per capita income across the province by over $2,000.
Through his presentation, Kelly made a compelling case for why now is the time for businesses and individuals to support the Indigenous business sector in Manitoba by becoming a member of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. As he concluded, Kelly expressed gratitude for the award he received and for the opportunity to speak on these important issues. His message was not just a call to action for economic progress but a plea for unity, understanding, and collective effort toward reconciliation.
Kelly continues to be active within the business community and now leads his firm, Kelly Associates, which provides strategic advisory services for businesses and organizations throughout Manitoba.
