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By many standards, Ayshkum Engineering Inc. is a success. But for this Aboriginally owned and operated firm, based at the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, success is something that is always in transition, constantly redefined by the goals the company members set for themselves. Ayshkum's services include complete project management, civil and structural engineering, design, architectural services, feasibility studies, and commercial and residential site development. "We're constantly looking ahead," says Ayshkum's accounting manager Toby Laviolette. The company was born from discussions amoung recent graduates from the University of Manitoba's Engineering Access Program, who felt they could address the need to improve living conditions within First Nation communities. The road ahead was not easy; it was up against companies with long track records of working on First Nation lands. "There was a time that the company went under in 1997, just because there was no experience as far as this particular office goes. With no track, record it is very hard to get jobs," Laviolette recalls. "There was also a learning curve in dealing with INAC and how they do things, and with the First Nations and what we needed to do to satisfy their needs. It was a hard lesson in 1997. But then in 1998, things started picking up and word got out that we're not just some fly-by-night company, and that we really can help". "The First Nation communities that we deal with know that we don't stop until the work is done " he says. The team routinely puts in 12 to 15 hour days to ensure jobs meet dead-lines, and their client's satisfaction. "When you have a contract to do a job, you give yourself a real tight time-frame just to win the job. But we know we can do it just because we'll pull together and get it done," Laviolette notes. All too often, he says, companies come into a community with no guarantees on local content. Ayshkum, on the other hand, makes a point of taking a community's resources into account. "When we tender out to contractors, the First Nation tells us how much equipment they have, how many employees are skilled and how many need to be trained to get a job done," Laviolette explains. "We tell the contractors (this is) the minimum amount of people that you need to train, this is the minimum amount of equipment that you need to use from the First Nation. So not only does the contract benefit, the First Nation community as well". Laviolette says that after a new water treatment facility was built at York Factory First Nation, the chief actually came to visit him with a jar of water. "He said, 'this is the water we're getting', and it was crystal clear, so he wanted to say thanks". Other notable projects include a mold remediation project in 54 homes on the Fisher River Cree Nation, a school renovation at Wasagamack First Nation, and a seniors' residence at Fox Lake First Nation. Laviolette says he gets to see the fruits of his labours all the time. "When we re-open a school, and the school's been closed down for a year, we see the smiles on the children's faces. And another reward is that a First Nation will call you with more work." Thanks to INAC's Manitoba Regional Office for this success story.
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| Last Updated: 2004-08-03 | 
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