Manager at Team Drilling; George Presseault, VP/Contract Manager for Team Drilling. Front row: Sean Willy, President & CEO of Des Nedhe Development; Robert Fleming, CEO of Team Drilling.

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Athabasca Basin Development Newsletter

Des Nedhe Signs Collaboration Agreement with Saskatchewan Based Team Drilling

Nov 29, 2023 | 2:53 PM

Des Nedhe Development, the economic development arm of English River First Nation and Team Drilling LP have signed a collaboration and participation agreement for drilling work in the eastern area of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan. The agreement covers the McArthur River project, the Wheeler River project, and potentially other projects in English River First Nation’s traditional territory.

“We are excited to be partnering with a top drilling company who is also majority Indigenous-owned. Team Drilling has a 15- year history of working in the north and across Canada. They have been a strong employer for many Indigenous people over the years. We are excited to bring their expertise in drilling and their successful employee training program to our community,” said Sean Willy, President & CEO of Des Nedhe Development.

Team Drilling provides surface, underground and specialty drilling services to mining companies in northern Saskatchewan and beyond. Athabasca Basin Development, an investment company owned by Black Lake First Nation, Hatchet Lake First Nation, Fond du Lac First Nation, Stony Rapids, Wollaston Lake, Uranium City, and Camsell Portage, holds 50% ownership in the company.

In addition to accessing work in the area, Team Drilling will provide employment and training opportunities to the community and employ local contractors wherever possible. Team Drilling’s highly successful training program focuses heavily on safety and includes having a third person on the drill to observe and assist before moving into a more independent role.

Pictured (left to right). Back row: Glen Sigstad, Operations Manager at Team Drilling; Al Lamy, Operations Manager at Team Drilling; George Presseault, VP/Contract Manager for Team Drilling. Front row: Sean Willy, President & CEO of Des Nedhe Development; Robert Fleming, CEO of Team Drilling.

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“We are excited to be partnering with a top drilling company who is also majority Indigenous-owned. Team Drilling has a 15-year history of working in the north and across Canada. They have been a strong employer for many Indigenous people over the years. We are excited to bring their expertise in drilling and their successful employee training program to our community.” — Bob Fleming, CEO of Team Drilling, is looking forward to the new partnership with Des Nedhe and English River First Nation.

“Des Nedhe and English River First Nation are excellent partners for us. Des Nedhe is a well-known Indigenous company with a lot of experience, and a diverse basket of companies in areas like retail, construction, professional services, and recently they announced they were getting into the coffee industry. We look forward to working together with Des Nedhe to service clients in English River’s traditional areas as we continue to provide services to our clients in the Athabasca region and throughout the country.”

Athabasca Basin Development is continuing to look for new opportunities for investments – both to strengthen its existing investments as well as outside of its existing industries. “There are lots of opportunities out there and we are continuing to seek solid investment opportunities. I would encourage business owners who are looking at succession planning to consider us as a potential fit and to contact us to discuss opportunities – there may be a fit either with Athabasca Basin Development or with one of our investments.”

Athabasca Summer Student, Candy Robillard

_{By Emma Blondeau}

As summer has come to an end, we would like to reflect on these past four months with our summer student, Candy, who joined Flyer Electric through the Athabasca Basin Development Summer Student Program. Candy worked between our Birch Hills office and on site in Prince Albert. Candy brought her knowledge of three years of Indigenous Social Studies and her history and culture to the company. We were excited to have Candy share some of her knowledge about Indigenous history and culture for National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21 during a lunch and learn with the company. Candy has been a valuable part of the team with the work she has been participating in and contributing to and continues to expand her learning in the electrical trade.

Candy Robillard, 2023 Summer Student

“My advice to anyone who’s looking into trades – just do it! If you’re a hands-on, physical and constant learning type of person, then this job is for you! This has been one of the greatest jobs I have been in, and to be part of the work is even greater! I was given the opportunity to step into the field and see for myself what the electricians do. Not only do I feel like I am training, but the employees and everyone who is part of the company made me feel part of the team. I thank everyone who took the time out of their day to help me in this journey.” – Candy Robillard, 2023 Summer Student, Flyer Electric

First-of-its-kind Athabasca Economic Development Gathering

The four Athabasca economic entities worked together to put on a gathering at Dakota Dunes Hotel this spring.

On May 11, Athabasca leadership (Chief and council, and mayors of the municipalities), Prince Albert Grand Coun­cil leadership, MLA Jim Lemaigre, and the board and management teams from the four economic entities in the Athabasca region (Black Lake Ventures, Hatchet Lake Development, Fond du Lac Development and Athabasca Basin Development) attended a knowledge-sharing session about the different ways economic development is being done in the region.

Chief Clarence Louie attended as the keynote lunch speaker. He talked about the experiences at Osoyoos, a First Nation from BC that has achieved high levels of employment and has ownership in numerous successful businesses. Signed copies of his book, Rez Rules, were given away in a draw to a few lucky winners.

In addition to Chief Louie, Tiffany Toutsaint, Terri-Lynn Beavereye, Anne Robillard and Geoff Gay from each of the economic development entities spoke about their activities, and Dean Classen from Uranium City spoke about examples of economic activities from northern settlements. Vern Bachiu discussed three types of Indig­enous Economic Development Models and Kim Biehm from Indigenous Services Canada talked about funding programs. Ed Benoanie from Hatchet Lake started the day with opening remarks, Chief Kevin Mercredi from Fond du Lac and Chief Bart Tsannie from Hatchet Lake provided closing remarks, and Mayor Daniel Powder of Stony Rapids provided the closing prayer.

“It was an excellent opportunity for everyone in the Athabasca to learn from each other,” said Terri-Lynn Beavereye, Executive Director of Black Lake Ventures. “It was really valuable to have the PAGC and leadership and the other economic development boards together in a room. It’s helpful to learn what everyone is up to. I learned a lot from the others, and I learned a lot from Chief Clarence Louie. I went home thinking I should put some of his sayings up on my wall! The whole event was very motivating.”

Sixty-five attendees were present throughout the day. In the evening, there was a social and networking event for participants and others. Over 120 people attended the social event.

Event feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. We are grateful to Graham Construction, who sponsored the lunchtime speaker for the event and helped to make this important event happen.

Chief Clarence Louis from the Osoyoos Indian Band was the keynote speaker.

Tiffany Toutsaint, Manager for Fond du Lac Development LP, speaks about economic development activities on the Fond du Lac First Nation.

Athabasca Summer Students, managers play traditional Dene hand games.

On June 29, summer students from the Athabasca region and their managers had an opportunity to gather together for a team building event organized by one of the summer students, Allison Strong from Stony Rapids.

Elder John Toutsaint from Black Lake led the day with an opening prayer and gave opening remarks to the group. Participants introduced themselves and everyone learned a bit more about each other, the program, participating companies and employment opportunities. Sascha Sasbrink-Harkema, the CEO of Athabasca Basin Security, talked about her journey from summer student to CEO and gave advice to the group on how to take advantage of their summer job opportunity.

The day ended with John Toutsaint teaching everyone how to play traditional Dene hand games. The version the group learned was an introductory “beginner” version. “That was the most fun I’ve ever had at a workshop,” says Kristine McWilliam, Controller at Athabasca Basin Development. “The laughter and positive energy in the room – it was the best! Thank you to Elder John Toutsaint for sharing your knowledge and your patience as you taught us some of the basics of Dene hand games.”

“It was so great to gather all the Athabasca summer students together along with their managers for a day of networking,” says Rochelle Robillard, Athabasca Basin Development & Security’s Administration summer student. “I enjoyed all the learning today and getting to know everyone.”

The Athabasca Summer Student program began in 2021. All of Athabasca Basin Development’s investments are invited to participate. Interested companies submit summer job opportunities and Athabasca Basin Development’s staff is responsible for recruiting, matching interested candidates with opportunities that fit most closely with their goals, interests and experience. There are a wide variety of positions available each year, including IT, labourer, marketing, facilities, finance, admin, warehouse, and more. This year’s program employed nine students from the Athabasca region in the south and five students in the north. Participating organizations included Athabasca Basin Security, Flyer Electric, Rise Air, Points Athabasca, Optek Solutions, Points North, and Black Lake Ventures. Some positions available at Rise Air, Team Drilling, Arctic Beverages, and Tru North were not filled because there were more positions available than applicants.

Special thank you to Prince Albert Grand Council – Dene, who has been a significant funding partner for the program since its inception.

Athabasca Basin Development honoured to accept the Indigenous Business of the Year award.

Athabasca Basin Development was honoured to accept the Indigenous Business of the Year award at the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce’s Samuel McLeod Business awards in April. Thank you to Richard Ahenakew and the Northern Lights Casino for sponsoring the award. And thanks to Patricia Cresswell Hughes and Hallee Peterson for putting on such an amazing and well- organized event.

Pictured (left to right): Don Deranger, Anne Robillard, ABD Board Chair, Kristy Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications, ABD; Allison Strong, Marketing Summer Student at ABD; Shauna Loewen, Business Analyst at ABD.

Fundraiser raises over $20,000 for PAGC Feed the Homeless Program

This summer, Points Athabasca and Athabasca Basin Development teamed together for a second time to run a fundraising event. On August 31, over 100 people from 25 organizations gathered together for an afternoon of golf or, for those who don’t love the rain, an afternoon of fun at the Stoked Center. The event raised $20,000 for the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC)–Urban’s Feed the Homeless Program.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for contributing to this fundraiser. This $20,000 will help us feed many vulnerable people in the days to come,” says Geoff Despins, Executive Director of PAGC-Urban. “There are many people without homes in Prince Albert that need support for various reasons. We want our building to be a safe place for them to come and get a lunch, some stew and Bannock or maybe a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and possibly work with our staff to address some of their needs.”

PAGC Urban’s office is located behind the Gateway Mall in Prince Albert in the Margo Fournier building. The staff run numerous programs, including training and employment services, mental health, driver training, recreation programs for youth, and more. PAGC previously had a van that would drive around and feed the homeless. “Unfortunately, our funding for the Moose Van program has run out, and we had to make the difficult choice to let some of our wonderful staff go,” says Geoff. “Our staff that run other program areas will take turns pitching in where they can. We have a great team of people who do everything they possibly can, but we can’t keep up to the need with our current funding.”

Many thanks to our event sponsors:

Athabasca Basin Security, who came on board as our meal sponsor and donated funds for prizes.

Long Lake Insurance for sponsoring the Hole in One

Caribou Transport, Graham Group, Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies, Lonona Contracting, Flyer Electric, and Cameco for being Fun sponsors.

SIGA, Optek Solutions, Zu.com, First Nations Insurance, Tru North, Symmetry Public Relations, Rise Air, Arctic Beverages and Points Athabasca for sponsoring holes.

And to the many others who participated by entering a team of participants – thank you!

Also, we can’t have an event without the volunteers to make it happen. Glen Strong at Points Athabasca and

Allison Strong, our former summer student who has now transitioned to a Communications Coordinator role with Optek Solutions – thank you both for leading the charge! Treena Fosseneuve, Kristine McWilliam, Shauna Loewen, Rochelle Robillard, Brent Neville, and Kevin Aebig – thanks for all your hard work in setting up, cleaning up and everything in between.

Want more information about PAGC-Urban’s homeless program? Contact Geoff Despins at PAGC Urban at gdespins@pagc.sk.ca.

Pictured (left to right): Lyle Bouvier, CEO of Points Athabasca, Rosie Charles, Tech Services, PACG; Geoff Despins, Executive Director for PAGC-Urban, Deanna McKay, Main office, PAGC; Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development. Missing: Jason Ahenakew, PAGC-Urban

Area Transportation Planning Committees tour Athabasca Basin Communities

On August 28 and 29, the Athabasca Basin Area Transportation Planning Committee (ATPC) hosted a tour of the Athabasca communities. Chairpersons and other guests were invited to Black Lake, Stony Rapids, Fond du Lac, and Wollaston Lake/Hatchet Lake to meet with leadership and community members and hear feedback on transportation in those communities.

The purpose of the tour was to highlight the challenges that the Athabasca residents face as far as transportation infrastructure. “I’d like to thank the Athabasca communities for being gracious hosts,” says Glen Strong, Chairman of the Athabasca Basin ATPC. “The Athabasca communities

have a lot of transportation needs and leadership and community members were very respectful

as they expressed their concerns.”

The 11 Saskatchewan ATPCs are the grassroots organizations that give feedback to the Ministry of Highways regarding transportation and infrastructure needs in their area. There are 11 of them throughout the province. The group takes turns hosting workshops and meetings in the various areas they represent, with the last Athabasca Basin community tour taking place in 2018. The ATPCs began in 1998 and Strong has chaired the Athabasca Basin ATPC since its inception. Anne Robillard is the other Athabasca Basin ATPC committee member.

The ATPC has observed a number of projects occurring in the Athabasca region, such as continued funding on the Athabasca seasonal road, the Stony Rapids Airport Expansion, alternate access to Stony Rapids (used to go close to the river), the Fond du Lac airport expansion, and the Wollaston Lake Road. “The Athabasca communities have all had local leadership and others asking for these projects, and those people have been instrumental in getting projects going in the region,” says Strong.

On the 2023 trip, ATPCs heard about community concerns and suggestions for improving access to Fond du Lac, some improved signage in Stony Rapids, and dust control. They continue to look for improvements on the road between Stony Rapids and Black Lake as well as on the 905.

“I’d like to acknowledge Assistant Deputy Minister of Highways Ryan Cossitt, Executive Director Justin Hirle, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Design and Construction Wayne Gienow for their participation in this tour,” says Strong. “A lot of the questions were directed towards them, and it’s not always easy to address comments on the spot like that. We greatly appreciated their frank and honest responses, and we look forward to working with them moving forward on future projects and improvements.”

Athabasca Basin Development provides administrative support for and contributed $14,000 towards this tour.

The ATPC has room for more members. If you’re from the Athabasca Basin area and interested in participating, please contact:

Glen Strong

gstrong@pointsathabasca.ca

Pictured (left to right): Derek Nice, CEO of Rise Air; Bruce Filder, NNE TPC; Kristy Jackson, Athabasca Basin Development; Matt Smith, CEO of Sask Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation; Chief Bart Tsannie, Hatchet Lake First Nation; Alan Lindsay, Sask Highways Planner; Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie, PAGC; Kevin Lysak, Strategic Partnerships Initiative Lead, Lands Environment and Economic Dev, ISC; Assistant Deputy Minister Ryan Cossitt; MLA for Athabasca Jim Lemaigre; Glen Strong, Chair of AB ATPC; Lee Finishen, SC ATPC, Bill Owens, WCMGC-TSC; Duane Filson, SWTPC, Mervin Kryzanowski, NEATPC; Dewayne Butterfield, Director of Operations, Points Athabasca; Gary Kayter, ECTPC; Assistant Deputy Minister of Design and Construction Wayne Gienow, Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development; Pam Schwann, CEO of Saskatchewan Mining Association; James Trober, SEPTC; Lyle Bouvier, CEO of Points Athabasca; George Tomporowski, NCTPC; Justin Hirtle, Executive Director of Northern Operations, Sask Highways; Gary Vidal, MP of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River.

Premier visits Alumarine

Premier Scott Moe visited Alumarine on Friday, August 18, along with Saskatchewan Rivers Candidate for the Sask Party Eric Schmalz.

“Business is booming for Alumarine Boats Manufacturing, who are selling more than ever and creating jobs and opportunities for the people of Spruce Home and Prince Albert,” Premier Scott Moe said on Facebook. “Thank you for showing me around your top-notch facility and for giving this community an incredible business that you all can be very proud of.”

“We were honoured to have Premier Scott Moe and Eric Schmalz visit our facility,” says Ron Bonneau, GM of Alumarine. “Our staff work hard to build a top- quality boat that is well known in the north for being the toughest boat around, and we were proud to show the Premier one of only a few boat manufacturers in Canada that is located right here in Prince Albert.”

Athabasca Basin Development has ownership in Alumarine, a boat manufacturer that originated in Manitoba in 1967 and was brought to Saskatchewan in 2019. The award-winning company employs 17 full- time staff at its Prince Albert plant and has grown to service 12 dealers across Canada.

www.alumarineboats.ca

Congratulations to April McIvor, winner of Alumarine’s art contest!

Pictured (left to right): Back row: — Brandon Turner, Semere Weldu, Quan Ho, Sask Rivers Candidate Eric Schmalz, Premier Scott Moe, Russ Denischuk, Samsom Asgedom, Ron Bonneau. Front row: Michaele Weldegersh, Isaiah Bear, Mengisteab Arey, Simone Buhr and Thoeun Soung.

About Athabasca Ba­sin Development

Athabasca Basin Development is an investment company committed to building and investing in successful businesses. Investments include partial or complete ownership in construction, industrial security, electrical, diamond drilling, logistics, road maintenance, aviation and more. The company is owned by the seven communities in Northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca region.

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