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ocated in northern Alberta, the Heart Lake Relations & Business Development at Heart Lake
First Nation (HLFN), is a small but mighty First Nation. “Indigenous-corporate partnerships
LNation. Its 492 members are vital participants bring so many benefits to both sides.”
in many local oil and gas projects.
Heart Lake First Nation has created many band-
Located approximately 280 kilometers northeast owned corporations and a total of 18 current
of Edmonton, 75 kms north of Lac La Biche on partnerships. Some band-owned businesses
Hwy 881, Heart Lake First Nation territory is close include construction, facility maintenance, onsite
to several key oil and gas industrial sites—a machining, road building, paramedic services,
key position for the community, and for partner engineering, and 3D scanning and modeling, and
companies that work with them. the list is growing.
HLFN is a success story in Indigenous joint ventures HLFN is constantly looking to diversify its economic
with the oil and gas industry. By working alongside development portfolio, says Bagga. “HLFN
firms that demonstrate promotion and inclusion of aggressively continues to seek opportunities of
Indigenous businesses and partnerships, HLFN’s partnership and participation in our traditional and
economic development supports not only economic outlying lands that will directly promote the growth
reconciliation but accelerated growth as well. of our Nation’s economy.”
“Alberta’s Indigenous communities have an Partners, potential partners, and policy makers
important role to play in today’s energy industry,” who understand the importance of Indigenous
says Tony Bagga, Director of Government & Industry inclusion in participation and ownership look to
OCT 2022 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 7
