Civeo Wins Indigenous Partnership Award
Published: March 18, 2022
Ashley Hinton (Community Outreach Manager) and John Amos (Indigenous Community Relations Manager) accept the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Indigenous Partnership Award presented March 12, 2022.
Photo Credit: Kitimat Chamber of Commerce.
Every day, thousands of Civeo team members go about their work with the good intention of making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve. This is our shared purpose.
While we take pride in our people and the humble manner in which we serve, it can be rewarding and uplifting when others take notice. It’s a thoughtful reminder that what we do, and how we do it, has meaning.
With this in mind, we are thrilled to share that Civeo has recently been recognized by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce with its first annual Indigenous Partnership Award. The award was presented on March 12 at of the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala.
In 2013, Civeo was welcomed into the coastal community of Kitimat, British Columbia with the approval of our Sitka Lodge development. Since then, we have been privileged to work with local First Nations, area residents, and local businesses to find meaningful ways to engage with our operations.
One of Civeo’s strongest longstanding relationships in the region has been with the local Haisla First Nation. Our collaboration with Haisla leadership and administration has played a key role in our ability to recruit and retain skilled labour, source products, and deliver services through the local supply chain.
With the support of the local community, Civeo currently employs 68 local residents with over 19% of our current Sitka Lodge staff being Haisla members. We are also proud to note that Civeo’s local senior management team includes Haisla member, John Amos. John was one of our first employees in the region joining Civeo as a Lodge Manager. John’s role has now expanded to lead Civeo’s community engagement initiatives. As Corporate Manager, Indigenous Community Relations, John collaborates with the Haisla Employment and Training Department, the Haisla Stakeholder Relations Committee, and other members of the elected Council.
In addition to providing employment opportunities in the region, Civeo has also contracted numerous Indigenous and local businesses in the construction and ongoing operation of Sitka Lodge. Since 2018, Civeo has invested more than $17 million in the immediate Kitimat area through Indigenous (Haisla partner or member-owned) and local contractors and that number continues to grow.
Since first coming to the District of Kitimat a decade ago, Civeo has been inspired by the rich history and traditions of the region. To better understand the territory and the Haisla Nation, members of Civeo’s management team have attended Haisla Culture Awareness Training.
Through artwork displays and special events hosted at Sitka Lodge, Civeo has a unique opportunity to share our enthusiasm for local Indigenous culture with guests from across Canada and around the world.
We are also mindful that operating within the District of Kitimat comes with a shared responsibility to invest in cultural and social programs that contribute to a vibrant, healthy community. Support of the Haisla arts community, seasonal fundraising events, and pandemic support for First Nation Elders are just a few of the initiatives that continue to inspire our ongoing social investment in the region.
We thank the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce for the honour and recognize the many community partners who have contributed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve.
Civeo acknowledges the Haisla Nation on whose unceded traditional territory Sitka Lodge is located.
