The Heart Lake First Nation has come a long way since it took on its first business enterprise in 1998, providing work crew transportation services through band-owned company Heart Lake Chartering.
The community is located approximately 280 kilometres northeast of Edmonton in a hotbed of strategic industrial development. Still, members of the nation, which now number 346, with 212 living on reserve, could scarcely have imagined the level of success they would reach 21 years later.
Since that first joint venture, their services have expanded to offer numerous band-owned businesses. They have cultivated 18 industrial partnerships, and offer services including construction, facility maintenance, on-site machining, road building, engineering, and 3D scanning and modelling.
“We’re working proactively with industry to build mutually beneficial relationships,” says Tony Bagga, consultation director of Heart Lake First Nation. “Companies get quality service at competitive prices, environmental stewardship and critical community buy-in — and we grow our capacity to become self-sustainable.”
Business partnerships with Heart Lake First Nation contribute directly to the community.
Part of the revenue from all of the nation’s projects goes toward education, infrastructure and community programs.
Heart Lake First Nation Trade Show
Their momentum continues to build. Once a year, the nation invites industrial companies from across the province and beyond to the Heart Lake First Nation Trade Show, where many of its business relationships are formed.
This year’s event took place earlier this fall in Calgary. The 6th Annual Business Trade Show was a place where industry experts in procurement and contracting were able to meet face-to-face with Heart Lake companies to discuss projects.
“We really wanted it to be a positive, constructive engagement, and that’s what we saw. The level of engagement we saw at this year’s event was amazing,” says Bagga.
To discuss a partnership or request an invitation, contact Tony Bagga at (780) 246-7314 or tbagga@hlfn.net.