JAN 27 2012

(L to R): PCS Potash President Garth Moore and Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Felix Thomas

Building Understanding - Memorandum signing a key step forward in relationship with Aboriginal communities

What happens when the business needs of one of Saskatchewan's largest companies meet the economic development challenges of the youngest, fastest growing demographic in the province?

According to PCS Potash President Garth Moore, ample opportunities for both sides.

"With the expansions and retirements happening at our company, there are a lot of positions to fill," says Moore. "Aboriginal communities have people to fill those jobs, so this is a chance for everyone to benefit."

While a relationship between First Nations people and PotashCorp may have been born out of mutual need, it is growing based on mutual respect and connection. Among the keys to deepening that connection has been a partnership between PotashCorp and the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), an influential organization representing seven Saskatchewan-area First Nation tribes.

"The Saskatoon Tribal Council serves member nations who live where we operate, so partnering with them made sense," says Leanne Bellegarde, PotashCorp's Director of Aboriginal Strategy. "They also had experience collaborating with school boards and with the city itself, so they understand what it takes to work with a large organization. It was a natural fit."

Over the past year, members of the STC and PotashCorp have met regularly, engaging in ceremony and working to identify issues and develop strategies in recruitment, education, and workplace preparation.

"Like any relationship, it hinges on dialogue," says Bellegarde. "Since we didn't really have a history together, we both needed to find some small steps to build on, to understand what we needed from one another. Once we started to build a foundation and establish some trust, we were ready to think about a more formal commitment."

That formal commitment became official in June when the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the measures needed to sustain a productive long-term relationship. Designed to increase opportunities and for First Nations workers and suppliers, along with understanding for all, the MOU is firmly rooted in values common to both First Nations people of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and PotashCorp: communication, respect, and education.

"The memorandum represents a great opportunity for our company and for First Nations people," says Moore. "It's a step forward that will help both of us satisfy important needs for the future, and an expression of our Core Values as a company."

STC Tribal Chief Felix Thomas agrees. "Our goal is to build a path for greater inclusion and participation by First Nations in the opportunities at PotashCorp," says Thomas. "The work we're doing now is helping First Nations people understand what it takes to participate in the real and immediate opportunities that we see here. "

So far that work is paying off: applications from STC members are rising, along with buzz for procurement opportunities among their member communities. Young entrepreneurs have been particularly targeted as the STC and PotashCorp look for ways to develop long-term suppliers to the potash industry and other sectors.

The road is not without its challenges, however. Few local First Nations-owned and operated businesses currently serve the mining industry in southern Saskatchewan, and while awareness of employment opportunities in many communities is rising, many First Nations people lack the grade 12 education needed to apply for positions at PotashCorp or most other well-paying jobs in the province.

"We need to find ways to bridge the gap between the current level of education in Aboriginal communities and the level it needs to be to work in this industry, and for our company," says Moore. "The larger the pool of qualified candidates, the better it will be for everyone."

Like most challenges of this scope, patience and planning are keys to success. "To solve problems like this, you need a long-term view, commitment on both sides, and a plan to move forward," says Bellegarde. "With our new MOU in place, I think we have all three."

2011 Progress - Aboriginal Initiatives

Recruitment

  • Held three career information sessions at White Buffalo Youth Lodge with Saskatoon Tribal Council, generating almost 150 applications
  • Made more than 50 presentations to First Nations and Métis communities and institutions and opened up the dialogue between our company and the Aboriginal population.
  • Provided tours, information sessions and career fairs for more than 500 First Nations and Métis people. 

Youth

  • Supported STC youth entrepreneurship programming in on-reserve schools, including an intensive introductory class at the Native Nations Institute
  • Supported a youth business plan competition with STC.
  • Co-hosted (with the STC and the City of Saskatoon) Atoske Summer Youth Camps to introduce youth to career possibilities and to help them identify and prepare a skills portfolio.
  • Supported programs at White Buffalo Youth Lodge to ensure healthy and safe resources are available to youth and their families
  • Provide enhanced support to Super Saturdays and efforts to increase links to math and science programming for STC youth.

Business Development

  • Added "Aboriginal Content" as a factor in PotashCorp's Procurement Policy
  • Developed an eligible Aboriginal supplier list and arranged supplier meetings with site decision makers
  • Participated in presentations with economic development groups and individual entrepreneurs; Westcap's BRIDG program has become an ongoing touch point for identifying future suppliers
  • Attended and sponsored community economic development events - SREDA Land Development seminars, SEER YTC TransActions Conference, FHQ Economic Development Forum, STC Industry Forums
  • Established standard wording for alliance contracts

Visit facebook/Potashcorp for more Ceremony photos.

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