Further evidence that First Nations groups are open for business came April 18 when news broke that the Lax Kw’alaams Band will partner with established engineering firm Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. (KWL) to create Embark Engineering.
The Lax Kw’alaams Band will own a majority stake in Embark, which will work with KWL and other partners to provide infrastructure planning, design and construction, project administration and resource management to government, industry and First Nations.
“Our vision is to act as a bridge between First Nations and industry to ensure projects attain the highest possible level of environmental standards while respecting the values of the communities in which we operate,” said Garry Reece, mayor of the Lax Kw’alaams and the new chair of Embark. “We look forward to working with partners to make this vision a reality.”
Embark will also introduce an academic program and scholarships to help create careers for aboriginal people.
