As one of our six key Aboriginal Relations focus areas, Syncrude strongly values business development with local First Nation and Métis-owned companies.
Among the numerous companies Syncrude works with is Acden, a partnership dating back more than 20 years. Syncrude was Acden’s first customer in 1994 when the company started with one waste management truck and 10 employees.
“Syncrude took a chance on us decades ago and that was a launching point for the First Nation to join the business circle, develop skills and confidence and realize they had the support they need,” says Acden’s Business Development Manager, Mitch Mercredi. “The expansion of our clients since the ‘90s and profits generated contribute directly to the economy of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and support community needs.”
Now, one of Canada’s largest Aboriginal corporations, Acden encompasses 18 companies and over 3,000 employees.
Mitch, who began his career with Syncrude, says he values the mentorship that was provided when he joined as a student, which helped develop his skills. Now in a position to do the same, Mitch was recently featured in Syncrude’s Pathways magazine for his contributions to the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program at Father Mercredi High School.
Meanwhile, Syncrude’s continued focus on identifying more opportunities for regional Aboriginal businesses led to $174 million in total Aboriginal business spending in 2016. Cumulative Aboriginal spending now totals over $2.6 billion.
