A new majority Indigenous owned business unveiled Wednesday in Saskatoon is expected to create economic opportunities for the nine First Nations under the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, as well as training and sustainable employment for Indigenous communities. Meadow Lake Tribal Council made the announcement at Wanuskewin and says Airea Consulting will provide all manner of environmental science and engineering advice services. Tribal Chief Richard Ben says it’s fitting, because as First Nations people, they are protectors of the land.

The MLTC is partnering with Trace, a firm that specializes in environmental science and engineering advisory across Canada.  Tribal Chief Ben notes that when he was Chief of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, his experience was that there were challenges with businesses and the duty to consult and accommodate. With this business, the MLTC is creating its own capacity, Ben says, building expertise so they can have good discussions with industry, rather than possibly having to outsource services.

The consulting business is expected to create economic opportunities for the nine First Nations under the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, as well as training and sustainable employment for Indigenous communities.

Airea’s first project is One Sky Forest Products, an OSB (oriented strand board) mill to be built near Prince Albert.