G O V E R N M E N T S  -  F I R S T  N A T I O N S

Context

First Nations communities occupy a special place in Canadian society. They obtain professional services in a manner that addresses their technical needs within the socio-political context of their unique governance structure. Adapting the delivery of modern technical solutions within that institutional setting differentiates assignments for First Nations communities.

Drivers

The federal and territorial governments maintain a dominant influence on funding of First Nations projects. Less so, they are directly involved in project design. This has followed the direction to enhance First Nations capacity to directly manage community-level services, under more general cost-sharing arrangements. However, the location and economic situation of many First Nations communities indicates continued financial and technical support from other orders of government in the future.

Outlook

The needs of First Nations communities for technical services are primarily water and wastewater, transportation and building facilities. Recent examples of sub-standard environmental and health conditions indicate a continuing need to focus on these services. And the priority placed on First Nations issues by senior governments points to continued project development. As well, recent land claims settlements have placed many communities in a position of greater self-sufficiency, leading to locally designed economic development initiatives.

Dillon’s Approach

We have been a major provider of services to First Nations communities for over 60 years. A particular area of expertise is with Northern communities, serviced primarily from our office in Yellowknife. Additionally, we provide many technical services to communities in the south and mid-Canada. Recently, these services have increasingly been in cooperation with First Nations consulting and contracting organizations.