First Communications Group / MGM Communications Group one of the First to Serve Aboriginal and Mainstream Clients (by Michelle Hugli, Freelance Writer)

A few years ago, Paul O'Byrne and Greg Fehr wondered how many Aboriginal people were working in the advertising industry in Saskatchewan. Only two came to mind. That didn't seem to make sense in a province with one of the highest Aboriginal populations in Canada.

"It became very clear to us early on that there are very few opportunities available for Aboriginal people," sais O'Byrne. However, he had noticed an increased demand for skilled professionals who could effectively communicate with Aboriginal communities. O'Byrne and Fehr had been working in the advertising industry for a number of years and decided they wanted to use their experience to train and employ Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan. With that goal in mind, they incorporated First Communications Group four years ago, with their majority partner the Battlefords Tribal Council.

To help strengthen their agency, First Communications Group joint-ventured with MGM Communications - one of Saskatchewan's largest full-service advertising and communications firms. This arrangement worked so well, that in May 2003, first Communications Group bought the Saskatoon-based agency allowing both companies the opportunity to tap into markets they had difficulty accessing on their own.

"In order to be a full-service communications and advertising company, you have to have depth, and that's what MGM brings to the table," said O'Byrne. "First Communications Group now has access to seasoned communicators, art directors, creative directors and writers." MGM communications, in return, can now target a sector of the market that was difficult to access in the past.

As far as creating new employment opportunities, in the past ten months alone, three Aboriginal people have been hired.

O'Byrne says he is focused on establishing "a national Aboriginal firm that can compete for mainstream advertising contracts, but also has the sensitivity and the capabilities to communicate to and with all Aboriginal communities and organizations." That's what sets First Communications Group apart from its competitors.

"We're marketing our services to both sectors at the same time, and we have the depth to do it", said O'Byrne.

O'Byrne and Fehr are committed to putting the proper infrastructure in place to successfully compete for government of Canada contracts. Under the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) Program, First Communications Group qualifies to bid on selected federal government contracts set aside for Aboriginal businesses. However, the company doesn't limit itself to the PSAB contracts. First Communications Group currently has three supply arrangements with the federal government. Two are for contracts available through the PSAB program, but the other is for a contract open to all mainstream businesses interested in competing.

O'Byrne adds that he doesn't believe there are many companies in Canada that can compete for both the Aboriginal and mainstream contracts as strongly as First Communications Group can.

"A lot of Aboriginal communications firms are solely marketing themselves as specialists in the Aboriginal world," said O'Byrne, "Our marketing strategy is to say we have that capability, but we're also very capable of servicing mainstream as well."

Both O'Byrne and Fehr say they would like to see more federal government contracts awarded to businesses located in western Canada.

"We're trying to attract some of that business to Saskatchewan, to grow our revenue base and grow our customer base, but also to simply bring some federal government work out here," said Fehr. "Then we can afford to hire and mentor more Aboriginal people."

To achieve that goal, First Communications Group will have an office in Ottawa by the end of this year to strengthen their relationship with the federal government and corporate Canada.

"Because we're located way out here in western Canada, out of sight and out of mind, we must have representatives in Ottawa develop contracts and build relationships," said Fehr.

O'Byrne says they've successfully developed a system that allows their employees to work on projects from any region in the country.

"A majority of our business is not located where the majority of our staff is located," he said. That helps to ensure the company can stay and grow in Saskatchewan while expanding business outside the province. With a young and growing Aboriginal population, O'Byrne and Fehr recognize the potential that exists with the proper training and employment opportunities. Fehr says he looks forward to seeing more Aboriginal people find careers in the communications industry in Saskatchewan.

"The Aboriginal men and women we are employing and training today will, in turn, mentor the Aboriginal communications professionals of tomorrow. And together, we will help all Canadians communicate with each other on a much higher level."

BEAVER

Also known as Tsattine, the "dwellers among the beavers". Cousins to the Slavey, Chippewyan and Sarcee, who all speak similar, Athapaskan-rooted languages, the Beavers originally inhabited a vast territory between Alberta - Saskatchewan boarder at the Peace River. However, the Cree drove them west, aided by the firearms that Europeans brought to the new world. Subsequently, the Beaver peoples hunted game (moose being a dietary staple) throughout the Peace River country, extending as far as the Rocky Mountains.

They were known as exceptional hunters and, although they had a reputation as being peaceful people, were not lacking in skills when was became necessary. Like other Athapaskan tribes, the Beaver did not have any strong tribal identity. They dwelled in relatively small family groups for most of the year, coming together with relatives each summer for singing and dancing. At the time of contact, there were approximately four bands, consisting of around 1,000 people, but by the late 1800s their numbers had decreased to less than half due to diseases such as smallpox, measles, influenza and to starvation. The Beaver peoples were the last band to sign Treaty 8 in May 1900.

The fur trade had a strong impact upon the Beaver just as it did with other tribes. They were considered to be very honest in their dealings with traders.

NEWSFLASH !!!

Arrangements have just been confirmed for the PSAB team to participate at the two day trade show portion of the up-coming Materiel Management National Workshop this May 17 - 18.

In our continuing efforts to promote the use of Aboriginal suppliers, we are using this opportunity to showcase several Aboriginal suppliers who have been awarded master standing offers by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and answer your questions on the PSAB.

At our booth, #302-303, you will be able to talk with both PSAB team members and Aboriginal business representatives and view samples of their merchandise.

Mark May 17 and 18 on your calendar .. You don't want to miss this event.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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