Britco and Lheidli T’enneh Nation: Construction
Image description: Britco President Mike Ridley and Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick
When Britco, one of the largest modular construction companies in the industry opened its Prince George office, it was new to the area and unknown in the local business community.
“But after signing the agreement with the Lheidli T’enneh, we gained a well- known partner. As a result we were quickly introduced to new customers, elected officials and other stakeholders thanks to our extremely credible new partner,” explains Britco President Mike Ridley.
A 2013 partnership between Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Britco is building business opportunities and creating a legacy in the Prince George area.
“The partnership also benefits the Lheidli T’enneh Nation by providing skills training and employment opportunities,” says Chief Dominic Frederick. “Two of Britco’s five employees in Prince George are Lheidli T’enneh. There are also sub-contracting opportunities for partner - owned businesses.”
Britco has 11 similar partnerships in B.C. – Lheidli T’enneh was one of the first. Ten per cent of the company’s workforce is First Nations.
“Because they represent the fastest growing demographic in Canada, a company cannot have a successful recruitment strategy without involving First Nations,” says Ridley.
The Lheidli T’enneh – “The People from the Confluence of Two Rivers” - have 320 members, most of whom live in Prince George. Their traditional territory stretches more than 4.3 million hectares from the Rockies to the Interior Plains
An official sponsor of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, Britco will provide several buildings for venues at the Games, including athlete’s change rooms and office and media space.
After the Games, four of the buildings will be transformed into fully furnished libraries and donated to First Nations.
The Lheidli T’enneh has been designated as an official host of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. It’s the first time in the 48-year history of the Games that a First Nation has received this designation. The Lheidli T’enneh’s flag is being flown in Prince George at the games, another first.
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