From L-R: Bob Behari, Chief Lorie Whitecalf, Craig Reynolds, Chief Tanya Stone, and Chief Larry Ahenakew meeting for the announcement of the partnership (Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc./Facebook).

By Austin Mattes

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs

Nikihk becomes official partner of the Saskatchewan Roughriders

May 12, 2025 | 3:22 PM

In a landmark collaboration that shows a powerful step toward Indigenous economic empowerment and development, Nikihk Enviroway Ventures LP has announced a partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, uniting their shared values of sustainability, local impact, and reconciliation.

Nikihk, a joint venture between Enviroway, a Saskatoon-based cleaning product manufacturer and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC), was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to address local supply needs. The initiative, which originally began as a necessity, has grown into a symbol of resilience, offering a large line of soaps, cleaners, detergents and more, meant to bring Indigenous-made products to mainstream Canadian retail.

“The product line has expanded since COVID and has been taken in by different retailers including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA and others. All the scents are selected by the elders of First Nations, all the products are handpicked by the Indigenous elders and they’re Indigenous to Saskatchewan. All these things represent unique values and heritage of the Cree Nation of Saskatchewan,” said a Nikihk Spokesperson.

Apart from bringing Indigenous-made products to the forefront, another crucial aspect of Nikikh is keeping their products eco-friendly.

All Nikih products are plant-based and manufactured using green chemistry, meaning they don’t use toxic chemicals and plastics that pollute oceans, lakes and landfills. Their products are also made using recycled materials, are biodegradable and cruelty free, demonstrating the importance of eco-consciousness to the brand.

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The partnership with the Roughriders, Saskatchewan’s beloved CFL team, came about through conversations rooted in mutual interest. Both organizations recognized a strong alignment in their values of community, environmental responsibility, and the advancement of Indigenous-owned businesses.

Nikihk’s recent expansion has paved the way for broader distribution and visibility, and now, with the collaboration of the Roughriders, they are expecting to see an increase in awareness of Indigenous entrepreneurship to further reconciliation in the business world.

As part of the partnership, fans can expect to see Rider branded Nikihk products featured on the Rider Store website and in Mosiac Stadium this season.

Some of the Nikihk products with Roughriders branding (theriderstore.ca/Website).

With an aligned vision and strong cultural foundation, the Nikihk-Roughriders partnership represents more than just a business deal, and especially with today, May 12, being proclaimed as the Indigenous Economic Development Day in Saskatchewan, it’s a strong move toward inclusive growth and positive change in Saskatchewan.

Nikikh hopes the partnership sets a good precedent for all Indigenous businesses going forward.

“I think this sets a great example that all Canadians should join hands and show support. For our economic sustainability, it is important for everyone to step up and support Canadian businesses, especially Indigenous, so collectively it is an effort to encourage all the business communities to step up not only support this brand, but also all the other business brands that are out there,” they said.

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Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes