Naas Foods – Stephen Dennis

Stephen (Stevie) Dennis is an Ahousaht member of the Keltsmaht First Nations. He is the Founder and Owner of Naas Foods in Tofino, BC. Stevie is a 2023 NEDC Business Award Winner - Best Sales Business.

Stevie Dennis from Ahousaht, BC. Is a naturally grown entrepreneur. He watched his parents build and succeed in their businesses. He got the business ‘vibe’ in him and self-acquired his experience and knowledge at a very young age.  Needless to say, he grew up on our ‘West Coast’ waters and took this passion to create a sustainable Indigenous business, Naas Foods. The water is his home.

He takes pride in and gained skills from being a part of the T’aaq’wii’aak Fisheries/Ha’oom Fisheries Society. T’aaq’wii’aak refers to fishing with permission of the Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs). In 2009, the BC Supreme Court recognized the aboriginal rights of the five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations of Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht (known as the Five Nations) to catch and sell all species traditionally harvested within their territories. 

Naas Foods specializes in Seafood processing and Kelp manufacturing, farming, and harvesting. His work with Kelp is unique and is on the leading edge of the Kelp Industry. Stevie works closely with the local Indigenous fishers, buying straight off the dock, and is proud to say his Seafood is locally harvested and processed. Stevie buys the majority of their fish day and line-caught from T’aaq-wiihak Fisheries. This means the fish is going straight from the local waters to your table.

Naas Food sales range from BC and all across Canada which is why he has won the NEDC 2023 Business award, “The Best Sales Business.” The future of Naas Foods is  to expand and specialize on his very own Kelp farm and local Seafood. The best thing about being an entrepreneur is that he loves every part of his business from cleaning floors to meeting fishermen at the dock to catching his Seafood. He thanks NEDC for supporting him financially and providing the business workshops and business information. They were huge motivators and a part of his great success.