Evolution; When will we be fully evolved?
Over the years I have learned that capturing the economic benefits of federally funded capital projects relies on assuming the risk of managing and building the projects. As Bosgoed Project…
Part 3: “Never waste a crisis”
I realize this may sound like a strange thing so say, but trust me; never waste a crisis. This is vitally important simply because we learn so much from them. We learn about our people, systems, risk…
Part 1: Crisis is inevitable. Prepare for it
Years ago, people in my community used to tell my Dad I was good in a crisis. I didn’t actually hear that compliment until many years later because he didn’t share it directly with me. I remember feeling quite the opposite about myself,…
Don’t let failure lead to retreat
I have failed. So. Many. Times. In fact, I believe my failures are the reasons I’m successful. It is the reason that our WorkFirst strategy has created so many indigenous…
Indigenous Community – Industry Partnerships
“First Nations are not stakeholders on projects in their territory. They are rights holders.” I recently came across an article by Broughton Law from 2015 entitled, “First Nations-Private Sector Partnerships…
How much local indigenous labour is enough?
Last week, the CBC ran a story which focused on a growing number of construction companies who are launching Indigenous relations department's. https://www-cbc-ca.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5969285 I commend this direction as an important…
The Importance of Job Fairs
Job fairs are vital for our Indigenous community workforce engagement process. On the 25TH OF March, I had the pleasure of delivering a keynote address at the Maskwacis Virtual Job…
Spring has sprung!
Indigenous people are experiencing a business renaissance; from purchases of tank farms, offers to buy pipelines, and an amazing purchase of Atlantic fishing licenses, Indigenous communities are grabbing more of…
Let’s raise each other up!
After our “Ten things to NOT say to Indigenous employees” series, I am pleased to present the “good news” stories. Despite the negative experiences I have endured, they do not…
Ten things NOT to say to Indigenous employees… Part 4
Get removed from a project, lose a job opportunity, or be ignored. These are the issues we’ll explore in our final segment of WorkFirst Wednesday’s segment ; “Ten things to…