It was a bittersweet day for Nisga’a Entrepreneur Perry Azak, who this year has chosen to retire and sell his taxi and transportation business ‘Tilthski Transport’ to younger entrepreneur Steve Johnson of Gitlaxt’aamiks.

Perry established the taxi and transport business in June of 1995 after purchasing the license from Bill Young of Nass Camp.  A blustery cold, sunny January 2015 morning where a symbolic transfer of ownership between the two businessmen took place would mark 20 years of successful operation for Perry.

‘Tilthski’ is a childhood nickname that was bestowed on Perry as a young boy by his father and uncles.  The white 15-passenger van that adorns the name has built a prominent presence on the Nisga’a Highway as Perry provided daily taxi to and from Terrace and area as well as business transport services for local governments, institutions and businesses in the Nass Valley.

“It has been a very good run!” commented Azak looking back on the 20 years of service he and his business have provided.

Perry and Steve had established a business relationship through Steve’s existing business ‘Nass Valley Tours’ which provides guided tours of the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park, the Volcano cone and other points of interest in the Nass Valley.  Steve often called on Perry’s transport business, so when Perry told Steve of his plans to sell the business and retire, the two began the talks on sale.

Steve’s business incorporation will become ‘113 Taxi and Transportation’ after the Nisga’a Highway it will run on daily.  Steve will continue operating on the existing business transportation schedule, but also plans on diversifying the operation providing taxi service to special events in the region such as the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert and Hoobiyee in Nisga’a Villages.  He also plans on expanding the scope to complement his existing businesses Nass Valley Tours and Nass Valley Foods. 

“For Nass Valley tours, I’m working on certifying and retrofitting my boat to provide boat tours throughout the Valley, as well as kayak and canoe lake tours so the transport business will coincide with that.” said Steve of his future plans. 

The purchase of the taxi and transportation business was made possible for Steve with support from the Nisga’a Business Development Fund, and the Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government.  For the individuals the businesses employ, including 1 full-time driver and up to 6 seasonal employees, Steve has received targeted wage subsidy support from Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training (NEST).

To commemorate Perry’s retirement, his wife Olive, his children and grandchildren cordially invite family, friends and patrons to a Retirement Celebration Dinner at Ts’oohl Ts’ap Memorial Centre in Gitwinksihlkw on Saturday February 28, 2015 beginning at 4:00pm.

Contact information for 113 Taxi and Transportation may be found on the Nass Valley Tours website.

For photos of Perry and Steve’s business transfer, visit our photo album HERE