Four northern communities partner for business

A new venture could be viewed as a model for future Aboriginal development within the Province of Saskatchewan.

The Northern Métis communities of Beauval, Cole Bay, Ile a la Crosse and Jans Bay have combined their business efforts to create the Primrose Resources Corporation.
The name they chose is based on the federal government taking traditional hunting and fishing lands of the Aboriginal people in the area in the 1950’s for the purpose of using the land for bombing and gunnery practices known as the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range.

The four communities signed the Primrose agreement with the assistance of Westcap Management Ltd’s Business Ready Investment Development Gateway Program (BRIDG).

According to the company’s website, the BRIDG program was established in 2009 through a partnership with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Its’ goal is to bring First Nation and Métis communities across Saskatchewan together with industry partners to facilitate the completion of investment transactions in the energy and resource sectors.

BRIDG assists communities to establish government capacity building within these corporations.  As well, it ensures that the businesses are equipped with the infrastructure and capability to undertake business development and investment.  The program also offers business readiness training, knowledge on legal investment and information on industry specific issues.
Vern Bachiu, Manager of the BRIDG program, is in charge of ensuring that the program supports the Primrose Resources Corporation in their joint business initiatives.  Bachiu has over 30 years experience in working with First Nations and Métis communities.  For 20 years, Bachiu worked with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) and spent another 10 years working for the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT).

During his time with the MLTC, Bachiu was a senior member of the team that established successful business developments in forestry, aviation, hospitality and other sectors.  Under Bachiu’s leadership, nearly 20 Aboriginal communities have become members of the BRIDG program.

“The purpose of the BRIDG program is to help First Nations and Métis communities get business ready and to actually complete business investment transactions,” Bachiu said in an interview with Star Phoenix. He added that providing capacity building for strong corporate governance within the business ensures growth and sustainability.

Through the BRIDG program the four Métis communities of the Primrose Resources Corporation plan to pursue partnerships in the oil, gas and mining sectors.  They also plan to look into green projects based on business energy and heating.

Baschiu said with the natural resources in the north, there is unlimited potential.

First Nations and Métis communities are interested in having some of the northern mines as their customers and doing construction and mining service work for them.

The efficiency, effectiveness and the impact of the joint business venture will be determined with time, but the strength of this partnership offers positive business growth for these communities to create strong economic development.