Golden achievement for our Indigenous Relations work
Strong and long-lasting relationships with Indigenous communities are intrinsic to the way that we operate. In fact, we’ve fostered nearly 50 partnerships, joint ventures and relationship agreements with Indigenous communities across Canada, which generated more than $250 million in revenue for our Indigenous partners in 2018 alone. Some of these relationships have been in place for more than three decades.
Recently, our Structures & Logistics business received a Gold-level certification from The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’s (CCAB) Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, an award that evaluates our commitment to Indigenous communities. The program recognizes “sustained leadership in Aboriginal relations and commitment to working with Aboriginal businesses and communities, building a business case that other companies aspire to prove.”
“We’re incredibly excited,” says Brook Carpenter, Manager, Indigenous Business Development & Relations at Structures. “I’m proud to work for a company that builds positive relationships with Indigenous communities. It’s the only way to do business.”
We received our first PAR certification in 2014 at the Silver level. The PAR program certifies that a company is a good business partner, a great place to work and is committed to prosperity in Indigenous communities. Companies are eligible for certifications at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, as well as the Committed level. And much like the work required for productive long-term relationships with communities, the certification didn’t happen overnight.
“The fact that we’ve progressed from Silver to Gold in just five years acknowledges that we’ve been doing things right,” says Carpenter, who believes our success is due to the expertise, diversity and commitment of our employees, all the way up to our Senior Leadership. “We’re in the communities, collaborating to make a difference long term, and our partners know and trust us. When we walk in there, it’s like seeing old friends.”
The CCAB’s Gold certification is a gauge of how we integrate Indigenous relations in our everyday business. Initiatives like our Indigenous Education Awards Program and skills training, which are designed to improve access to education, are not just benefits to the communities, but to ATCO as well. From job sites to corporate offices, the Indigenous graduates of the future will be an essential part of our mutual success.