Shannon Mercredi works on a house in Fond du Lac. The First Nation hired 8 youths through the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy (FNIYES) through Indigenous Service Canada. (Submitted photo/Athabasca Basin Development)

By Paid Partnership/Athabasca Basin Development

Athabasca Basin News

Mar 23, 2021 | 3:44 PM

Fond du Lac Housing Projects

What started as a discussion 2 years ago has turned into 2 fourplexes, 2 duplexes, 6 family units, and potentially 14 more units next year, all built by local people in Fond du Lac. “I was having a discussion with Chief and Council one day about some housing that had been built previously,” said Bryan Smith,

Director of Operations at Points Athabasca. “They had plans to build fourplexes and duplexes for the upcoming year and asked if we could make it work with the funds they had in place. We were able to put a plan together, and construction began that spring.”

The first set of homes was completed in 2019. Points Athabasca provided a foreman and a journeyman to oversee the project. The work was completed by 9 local people. Tiffany Toutsaint, Manager of Fond du Lac First Nation LP, supplied workers from the area. “As the business arm for our community, Fond du Lac First Nation Development LP provides training and employment opportunities for our members,” says Tiffany. “This project was very beneficial because there’s employment opportunities, a chance to learn and practice carpentry skills, and it also provided some much-needed housing for 12 families.”

The 2019 projects went well, and the program was continued into the next year. 6 more units were ordered and construction began in spring 2020. “We’re building based off PAGC’s designs,” says Bryan. “These designs understand the conditions in the far north and take into account things like electric heating. Plus, the workers are really taking pride in the finished product.”

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The end result is quality houses that are built to best building practices. “Sometimes houses are built with substandard vapor barrier, or less than 6 inches insulation in the walls,” says Bryan. “I’ve seen houses where the studding isn’t 16 inches on center, or some of the wiring was missing, or even missing the plug for the stove. All these things are done because it’s cheaper, but we didn’t want to do this work unless it was done right.”

Using local talent has been a key priority for the project. “Tim Fern lives in Fond du Lac and has his own electrical contracting business. We’ve been using his company wherever possible,” says Bryan. “We’ve

had 75-80% local participation throughout the project, with 100% of the entry level positions. For the workers, it’s increasing their capacity to do high end work, like drywall finishing, cabinet installation,

or flooring installation.” “The people of Fond du Lac have a strong spirit of hard work, entrepreneurship and independence,” says Tiffany. “It’s important to use local talent wherever possible for community projects like this. We’re happy to help coordinate this for companies who do work in and around our community.”

The projects have also given some of the youth experience in the construction trade. “Last summer, Tiffany provided 6 high school workers who wanted to learn carpentry work,” says Bryan. “It was great for them to get some real, hands-on experience, and it was great to spend time mentoring some of the next generation.”

The success of the projects has led to more work with others in the area. “Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority asked us to do renovations on 14 units. We’re also looking at converting 3 classrooms next to the school to teacher residences,” says Bryan. “We’ve done some work for the health

authority on the nurse residences. I think we’re getting these opportunities because of the quality of work and because of the high local participation.”

Points Athabasca will continue to pursue opportunities to help communities build housing while employing local people. Fond du Lac has asked for quotes on more housing, and there also may be opportunities to assist other communities. “For us, ‘Building Capacity’ really drives how we do business,” says Bryan. “We have an excellent track record of employing local people for projects.

Our goal in this project is to help give back to the communities that have ownership in us. Good quality houses built by local people.”

Points North signs LOI with Black Lake Ventures

Mark Eikel, CEO of Points North, and Blaine Eikel, Controller for Points North, sign LOI.

Left: Terri-Lynn Beavereye, Executive Director of Black Lake Ventures Right: Victor Echodh, Board Chair of Black Lake Ventures.

In December 2020, Black Lake Ventures (BLV) and Points North Freight Forwarding (PNFF) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI is a commitment by the two companies to work together to identify and jointly pursue business opportunities to build local businesses and create local jobs to the benefit of Black Lake and its community members.

“On behalf of BLV I am very pleased with this important step to building business opportunities for our

community,” says Victor Ecodh, Chair of BLV. “Years ago, when Black Lake made its original investment in Athabasca Basin Development, our community leaders always had a vision of using this investment to create business opportunities for our community. Today, we have taken another important step to making this vision real.”

“BLV is excited to be working with PNFF and looks to leverage their years of experience to assist BLV in pursuing business opportunities that will directly benefit our community and create local jobs,” says Terri-Lynn Beavereye, Executive Director of BLV. “The LOI is a first step. We have lots of work to do in order to build businesses that will create jobs and opportunities for many years to come.”

By working directly with BLV on these business opportunities, PNFF will be able to continue its 36-year venture to serve northern Saskatchewan and strengthen the investment that has been made by the seven northern communities in PNFF. “On behalf of PNFF, I would like to thank BLV. We are eager to work with them and pursue business opportunities that will help grow the north,” says Mark Eikel, CEO of PNFF. “For the past 36 years PNFF has been dedicated to serving the north. PNFF looks forward to sharing past experience and collaborating with BLV. PNFF would welcome any opportunity to work with

our other investor communities who are interested in pursuing joint business opportunities.”

Giving Back

“Building a future through investment” is accomplished by building wealth for the Athabasca communities, donation, community distributions, building a reputation, and building capacity. The key to making all benefits possible is in building wealth for the communities — without this foundation, the other benefits would not be possible. Here are a few recent examples of ways Athabasca Basin Development and its investments give back:

Cloth masks

Rosalie Kkailther, Health Director of Hatchet Lake Band, wearing one of the cloth masks that their community received.

In October 2020, the Athabasca communities requested cloth masks to assist them in dealing with Covid-19 in their community. They were looking for enough so that members of their communities

could each have at least one plus a couple of spares. The communities requested a total of 12,000 masks. Huge thanks to our generous partners on this initiative! Orano, Points Athabasca & QM Points, and Northern Resource Trucking partnered together to provide the requested cloth masks, for a total donation valued at $20,000. Appollo Management, the supply company, donated 20% of the order. West Wind Aviation also contributed by providing freight to the communities free of charge.

Athabasca student dinner

Our Athabasca Student Dinner video has over 60,000 views.

The Athabasca Student Dinner is an annual event that recognizes the efforts and celebrates the achievements of Athabasca residents who are studying in the south. ABD and Points Athabasca have been hosting a student dinner annually for many years, with support from numerous companies that donate prizes each year. Last year’s event had grown to over 250 guests attending and 70 students.

Due to Covid, the event went virtual this year. A draw for prizes was held on December 15 on a Live Facebook event with 97 people attending. We asked students to submit a video before the deadline. We put together a compilation that has over 60,000 views so far! This is by far our most popular post to date. You can view this video on ABD’s Facebook page.

Big thank you to all the sponsors who helped by donating prizes! Cameco, Athabasca Basin Security,

Team Drilling, Points North, Graham Group, West Wind Aviation, Tru North, Arctic Beverages, Orano, QM Points, Flyer Electric, Transwest Air, Ya’ thi Néné, Long Lake Insurance, and Hands-on Outreach and Development.

Black Lake Suicide Prevention Youth Healing Camp

ABD donated $5,000 towards the completion of a cabin built on the north side of Black Lake First Nation. The cabin facility was built in the fall of 2020 with the assistance of community members and youth.

The cabin facility will be used for cultural-based activities and youth prevention programs based on traditional culture and values. ABD also donated $2,000 towards the events held for youth at the facility

on September 21-October 1.

ABS seeks to add to its growing list of First Nation partners

Ron Hyggen, CEO of ABS, Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose, Kawacatoose First Nation Chief Dennis Dustyhorn, and Day Star First Nation Chief Lloyd Buffalo sign an MOU to provide security services at BHP Billiton’s Jansen site in 2015.

Athabasca Basin Security (ABS) has an excellent track record of employing local people in the Athabasca Basin. “Most of our sites are nearly 100% local employees,” says Ron Hyggen, CEO of ABS. “We have

a solid plan in place for developing and promoting our employees, which means we have a very low turnover rate and many of our management positions are filled by Indigenous people.”

But new opportunities in the Athabasca region area were limited. In order to grow the company, ABS had to look outside the north. ABS created its first partnership outside the Athabasca region in 2015, and that partnership with Kawakatoose, Daystar and Muskowekwan (KDM) remains to this day. “We partnered with KDM 6 years ago and basically, we provide the training, and the communities provide employees,” says Ron. “We did a lot of work to ensure that it met the needs of our First Nations partners, our employees, and us. This forward-looking approach has provided careers and a foundation for these employees to better the lives of their families.”

“Looking back, this agreement has been a huge win for all parties involved,” says Reg Bellerose of Muskowekwan First Nation. “A key for our people to move forward was to get things in writing, into legally binding documents that we can move into a more predictable place and build for the future. This

particular agreement has made a difference towards our goal of providing people in our communities with access to education, training, and employment in a long-term, meaningful career.”

Today, ABS has active partnerships with 15 First Nations across BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and ABS is continually looking for more. “I think the spirit of cooperation that we have fostered has resulted in some big wins for both us and for partner communities,” says Ron. “We currently have 74% Indigenous employment across Athabasca Basin Security, including many in senior positions, and we couldn’t have achieved that without our partnerships.”

West Wind Aviation, Transwest Air to fly under a new name, new CEO

Rise represents progress and positivity. Like a phoenix, two airlines are rising together as one. The bird represents a connection with the land, with northern Saskatchewan, and the people we serve. There are 7 feathers to represent 7 northern communities and 2 blue feathers to represent other ownership groups.

As of March 1, West Wind Aviation and Transwest Air will be rebranding as Rise Air to reflect the two companies coming together under one air operator certificate. “Because we’re bringing together two different companies that each have their own cultures and their own histories, we wanted something new and fresh but that also preserves the legacy and the history of the organization and pays homage to our roots in the north,” says Steven Smith, Chair of West Wind Board of Directors.

The logo is based on a sketch submitted by an employee. “This whole process was really driven by our people,” says Smith. “We started this journey by talking to our people: our employees, our customers. We asked for feedback, and our employees submitted over 140 names and one sketch for consideration.”

The company will also see new leadership in 2021. As of February 1, Derek Nice took over as CEO, taking over from Stephen Smith, who served as interim CEO before returning to his position as Chair of the Board. Derek has extensive aviation executive experience, previously serving in high level positions with air carriers in Quebec, and more recently as managing director and CEO of Air Vanautu. “I’m excited about this opportunity to work with all the dedicated employees – to build on the great strides they’ve made in moving the company forward,” says Derek. “I’m no stranger to Western Canada as I grew up in Edmonton and continue to have family ties in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

Derek Nice, CEO, Rise Air

Santa in the North

On December 3, Santa flew to the northern communities in the Athabasca region in Saskatchewan. With the help of Transwest Air and West Wind Aviation, Santa was able to visit the communities of Fond Du Lac, Stony Rapids, Black Lake and Wollaston Lake. This was Santa’s 20th year working with Transwest Air to make his annual visit.

Santa had to take special precautions due to COVID-19. While he was not able to personally visit each child as in previous years, he did make sure each child received a special gift bag containing a gift, book, oranges, and a candy cane. Santa made his delivery to the communities to be distributed to each child from newborn to Grade 12. Santa came with his team of elves to each base to drop off his delivery to

be distributed by each school later on.

Many partners came on board to help bring Santa to the Athabasca region. West Wind and Transwest

provided freight and administration of the program. Cameco, Orano, the Northern Store, Northern Lights Community Development and SGO Mining provided gift bags with toys and treats for children. “Nearly 1,400 kids received a gift bag this year,” says Tracy Young-McLean, VP of Human Resources and Culture at West Wind Aviation. “This is a huge initiative involving many people, and we cannot thank our partner companies enough for their contributions. I also want to recognize our team of organizers who really went above and beyond to make this program happen this year, and especially Naomi Burnhart, who did a ton of work to move this event forward and adjust to Covid.”

Points Athabasca, Athabasca Basin Development, Team Drilling, Flyer Electric, Points North, and Athabasca Basin Security provided a book for each child from daycare to grade 12. “This is the fourth year we’ve worked together as a group to provide a book to each of the kids,” says Kristy Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications at Athabasca Basin Development. “It’s becoming a bit of an annual tradition to see our boardroom filled with kids books. Our staff have started really looking forward to the task of receiving, sorting and packing all those books for the kids to enjoy.”

This is the 9th year Athabasca Basin Development has been a part of this program.

5Buds opens cannabis store in Prince Albert

PA official store opening. Left to right: Mathias Koch, Budtender; Kara Dunn, Budtender; Josh Spacil, Store Leader; Dustin Pilon, Supervisor.

Prince Albert’s third cannabis store has officially opened its doors. 5Buds Cannabis opened to the public on January 29 in the Cornerstone Mall. “We are so excited to have opened our Prince Albert location,” says Calvin Isackson, Managing Director of 5Buds. “Our store opening had a few minor hiccups, but overall, everything went extremely well. I’m so proud of our team for making this happen!”

Calvin joined 5Buds in mid-December, taking on the leadership role over the company’s 4 locations. “As people arrived at the store, I think they were blown away by how different this is from the typical cannabis store experience,” says Calvin. “The appearance, the inside, the music – everything is bright, welcoming and inviting. We are really seeing a steady progression of business as people come in, check us out, take pictures and text their friends to come check us out.”

The Cornerstone location is 5Buds Cannabis’ fourth store in the province, with existing stores in Yorkton,

North Battleford and Warman that have been operating since cannabis was legalized in 2018. The company is 100% Saskatchewan owned; the result of a partnership between Athabasca Basin Development, Des Nedhe, Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies and Prince Albert

First Nations Business Development, representing ownership from 13 First Nations communities.

“Together, we are four strong, local investment companies who collectively have ownership in over 30 companies in various industries, including gas stations, hotels, distribution companies, and many others,” says Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development. “Three of the four of us have offices right here in Prince Albert, and we are very excited to have opened a store in our home-town.”

The Prince Albert location employs 10 people. “Our staff takes great pride in the fact that we are local,

that we hire local, and that our profits go back to First Nations communities in our province,” says Calvin.

In the coming months, the staff will be focused on building a presence in their new location and getting to know their customers. “Thank you to the Prince Albert community for welcoming us and coming to

check us out!” says Calvin. “Every day, we are excited to welcome new customers, and we continue to build the relationship with those customers who have already chosen us.”

5Buds will be opening a fifth location in Kindersley in spring 2021.

For more information visit Athabasca Basin Development at https://athabascabasin.ca/articles/

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*This content was created in conjunction with paNOW’s commercial content division and Athabasca Basin Development.