NACG is committed to the early involvement and collaborative participation of First Nations groups. This commitment has led to NACG garnering a long history of successful partnerships with First Nations groups and has enabled NACG and its First Nations partners to deliver high value construction and mining services to its clients. These partnerships have also provided substantial long-term benefits to local First Nations’ communities.

NACG strives to provide opportunities for the utilization of First Nations owned businesses within its sub-contracting requirements. As an example, for many years in the Fort McMurray region, NACG and the Fort McKay Group of Companies (owned by the Fort McKay Band) had a successful, informal working relationship which, over time, evolved into a joint venture (Noramac Ventures Inc.) with the Fort McKay Band holding 51% ownership. This successful relationship is still in effect and utilizes the capabilities of both companies to achieve the goal of maximizing each other’s work. The joint venture encompasses the supply of equipment and personnel, subcontracting for tree clearing, assistance of personnel for training and the sharing of support services.

Other joint ventures have involved clearing and grubbing of sites, logging, earthworks, camp and catering services, contracting of labour and rental of equipment, as well as the provision of overall support and infrastructure services.

NACG’s commitment to working with the First Nations extends beyond the Fort McMurray area. In 2004, De Beers awarded a multi-year contract to NACG for the development of its Victor Diamond Mine near Attawapiskat, Ontario. Recognizing an opportunity to hire and train local First Nations workers, NACG formed a joint venture agreement with the Attawapiskat First Nation (AFN).  AFN workers were hired on a priority basis and were trained to ensure that they had the required skills to support the mine. This relationship worked very well for NACG, AFN and De Beers, as NACG was able to consistently employ almost twice the number of AFN workers De Beers and the AFN first envisioned. NACG continues to enjoy an excellent relationship with the Attawapiskat First Nation and is currently working with the AFN to develop further opportunities in Northern Ontario.

Kinder Morgan’s TMX-Anchor Loop Pipeline Project was recently twinned from Hinton to Valemount, and this massive project led to the creation of new NACG-First Nations partnerships. In 2006, NACG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Simpcw First Nation (Barrier, British Columbia) containing specific clauses devoted to economic opportunities that the Simpcw First Nation would benefit from as a result of the pipeline construction. In addition, NACG and the Simpcw First Nation are currently working together to pursue additional opportunities such as the construction of hydro development projects in the Simpcw First Nation’s traditional territory.

The proposed Mackenzie Gas Pipeline resulted in the formation of the Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation. This is a joint venture between the Gwich’in Development Corporation and five prominent construction companies including NACG.

NACG is actively seeking relationships with First Nations groups in Saskatchewan and in British Columbia at locations where various large-scale construction projects may occur. NACG is very proud of its history of developing and maintaining successful relationships with First Nations groups.