Des Nedhe/Tron sign supplier agreement with Bruce Power
TIVERTON, ON – January 25, 2019 – Bruce Power has signed a supplier agreement with a new, locally-based, First Nation-owned joint business venture to provide construction services to Bruce Power, as part of the company’s ongoing investment program.
Makwa Development Corp., which is owned by Nawash residents Scott Lee and Shane Chegahno, has joined forces with Tron, a construction company based on Saskatchewan’s English River First Nation that brings extensive experience working in Canada’s nuclear sector. Tron and Makwa recently signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to create a fully First Nation-owned venture, with experience in nuclear sector and a goal of maximizing employment of local Indigenous people.
“The Makwa-Tron joint venture will be 100 per cent First Nation-owned,” said Lee. “The entity will be situated on the Nawash First Nation and will hopefully create immediate opportunities and benefits for both the Nawash and Saugeen First Nations and their respective Band Members. Our hope is that our community members as well as businesses owned by community members will be able to derive benefit from the coming decades of Bruce Power operations in the SON Territory.”
Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO, said the Makwa-Tron joint venture will provide Bruce Power with a variety of services during the Life-Extension Program. Tron’s experience ranges from infrastructure and utilities construction to electrical and instrumentation installation, as well as vessel fabrication, among other disciplines.
“Bruce Power is committed to developing wealth-creation solutions for Indigenous peoples on a number of fronts, and these types of business partnerships are a key element to achieving this,” Rencheck said. “The Makwa-Tron joint venture will provide community members with excellent jobs and give Bruce Power the skillsets we require to advance our investment program.”
The Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Ontario, praised the partnership and the many benefits that it will generate.
“It’s very encouraging to see this collaboration between Bruce Power, MAKWA Developments, and Tron/Des Nedhe Development,” Minister Rickford said. “These are the types of partnerships that support economic development, create good jobs, and provide opportunities for First Nations communities to share in Ontario’s prosperity.
“Indigenous communities possess immense skill and expertise for endeavours like this, and this project will undoubtedly showcase the benefits of local partnership, and encourage similar economic development into the future.
Sean Willy is President and CEO of Des Nedhe Development, which started as a company in 1991 as an economic development vehicle for the English River First Nation. It has grown steadily, through vibrant partnerships and sound community leadership. Des Nedhe Development manages a broad and secure portfolio of successful companies in the resource, construction, supply, manufacturing, communications, and real estate sectors, he said.
“Through community foresight and planning, we have been forging new paths,” Willy said. “We are building on traditional values and an entrepreneurial spirit, while delivering opportunities that add value for our customers and our people. It has become one of the leading Indigenous economic development organizations in the country.”
Learn more about Tron at www.tronpower.com.
About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
For more information, contact:
John Peevers – 519-361-6583 – john.peevers@brucepower.com
Business Update from Des Nedhe
With 2018 coming to a close, Des Nedhe President and CEO Sean Willy is pleased to provide an update on the company and its plans for the future.
Although it was a year that brought challenges and change, Des Nedhe made important steps to building a stronger business for the future. The signing of a new business charter, the opening of new lines of business and the creation of new relationships all hold great potential for English River.
Please watch Sean’s message and watch for further updates from Des Nedhe in the months head – here, on our Facebook page (@DesNedhe) and in the community.
CommunityReport_v1 from Creative Fire on Vimeo.
Sean Willy
Sean Willy appointed as CEO
After a 20-year career in the resource industry and an extensive history in executive leadership, community development and human resources, Sean Willy was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Des Nedhe Development in August 2017.
Willy joined Des Nedhe as Vice President in July 2016 and led numerous business development initiatives for Des Nedhe. His experience with Indigenous communities and corporations enabled him to establish strong ties between our companies and our numerous Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners.
With roots in the Denesuline and Metis communities, Sean brings an understanding of the expectations and needs of Indigenous people. Growing up in a mining household, he experienced life in communities across the Canadian Shield – from the Northwest Territories to Nunavut to Alberta to Saskatchewan.
In his role as Director, Corporate Responsibility at Cameco, Sean developed the strategies and led all negotiations which saw Cameco build upon its successful track record with Indigenous peoples. This led to Sean building partnerships in Australia, the United States, and throughout Canada.
Sean’s greatest career achievement was signing five community-based agreements in Australia and in northern Saskatchewan and completing the most unique legacy trust fund in Canada, the Six River Trust.
Sean also serves as co-chair of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, chair of the highly successful training partnership Northern Career Quest and a director of the Global Indigenous Trust.