The Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) is getting into the energy business.
On June 3 SIB Chief Garry Feschuk and council signed a memorandum of understanding to form a partnership with Allteck Line Contractors Inc. The B.C. company contracts services like transmission line installation and repair to BC Hydro and other power providers.
The memorandum of understanding notes there is "value to both parties to work together on a number of practical and immediate items including, but not limited to, training and apprenticeship opportunities, business development opportunities and joint venture opportunities."
Feschuk said the Band's consultant brought the possible partnership to the table, and it progressed quickly.
"I think it's developed very quickly because the Nation does focus on opportunities whether it's within our Nation or within our territory and we have a process that's laid out that actually helps us move forward," Feschuk said, pointing to their recently released lands and resources decision making policy. "By having Allteck come to the table, it's an exciting opportunity whether it's through a joint venture or with a joint partnership. Looking at apprenticeship training is something that we want to do. We know the work is within our territory, and we want to now expand so that we can be involved in that work that's taking place in our territory."
Feschuk said the SIB receives several referrals from BC Hydro wishing to build within their territory each year.
"We've been trying to work with Hydro over a number of years because if you look at the applications that are happening within our territory, every single drainage is tied up with an application," Feschuk said. "There's probably over 70 of them."
Through the new partnership, he said the Band could now profit from some of that development.
"So Sechelt has done their homework. We have the expertise now and we're now wanting to get involved in the energy industry," he said.
Keith Sones, president of Allteck Line Contractors, said he is excited about the future of the partnership and pointed to education as a major benefit.
"One of the really exciting opportunities I see is continuity with respect to apprenticeship training," Sones said. "So it's not just a bit of training on a project and the project ends and everyone moves on, but to make sure that we can get into this for five, 10, 15 years or more, depending on what your circumstances or desires are, and the ability at the end of the day to have people who are included in the energy industry in B.C.
"It's a big, big opportunity and we're in it for the long haul," Sones said.
Allteck and the SIB will meet again within the next two weeks to hammer out the particulars of the partnership including how the education program will be delivered.
"We have opened our door to business within our territory, but it has to be done in a way that's acceptable to our Nation and acceptable to everyone who lives within our territory," Feschuk said.
