Sandy Lake Motel Receives Partnership of the Year Business Award

Joe and Linda Fiddler, owners of Sandy Lake Motel, were presented with the Partnership of the Year Award at the 24th Annual Nishnawbe-Aski Development Fund Business Awards on October 30, 2014 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This is the second time Joe and Linda have been recognized with the Partnership of the Year award from NADF.

From the Press Release, "Celebrating Aboriginal Business, 24th Annual NADF Business Awards" dated October 31, 2014:

Whenever you want warm and clean accommodations with home cooked meals and a friendly atmosphere in Sandy Lake First Nation, you should contact Joseph and Linda Fiddler, proprietors of the Sandy Lake Motel. Joseph and Linda Fiddler are the epitome of a perfect partnership. They are husband and wife team and parents to three adult children that all help to provide top-notch service at the motel.

This active partnership has successfully operated the Sandy Lake Motel since July 1995, and as a result, they have not had to request any additional financing since opening and have been the ideal business model for on-reserve entrepreneurship.

Prior to starting up the Sandy Lake Motel with his wife by his side, Joseph had been employed by the Sandy Lake First Nation in several positions. Through his various roles with the First Nation he was able to accumulate a vast amount of valuable experience that has helped propel him in his business operations.

Linda is a ‘hands-on’ mother, and anyone who has raised children, knows that caring for three children is no easy task, one that needs astute management and organization skills in order to run a good household. It isn’t hard to tell that these diverse skills, coupled with their enthusiasm and great chemistry, is part of the reason for the success of the Sandy Lake Motel.

In November 2010, Joseph and Linda acquired the “bunkhouse” next door to their motel from the Sandy Lake First Nation, thereby expanding their operations. The “bunkhouse” now renamed the “Annex” is used primarily to house contractors working in the community.

Coming in 2012, Joseph and Linda will be expanding their accommodation offerings to their guests. Construction is set to begin on a new eight unit motel that will provide guests with private suites and washrooms, and even though their motel is expanding, Joseph and Linda will be there to greet their guests offering the same “customer-first service” they have built their reputation on. The expansion is a new eight (8) room building which boasts private rooms and they call this new addition “The Sandy Lake Suites”.

Joe and Linda Fiddler accept the Partnership of the Year Award from Arlene Jung, Chair of the NADF Board.

Joe and Linda Fiddler deliver their acceptance speech at the NADF Business Awards in Thunder Bay.

Joe and Linda Fiddler, owners of Sandy Lake Motel and recipients of the Partnership of the Year Award at the 24th Annual NADF Business Awards.